My experience swimming with whale sharks on Ningaloo was an extraordinary wildlife experience. Why was it so incredible? Because whalesharks are the largest fish in the world and Ningaloo is a pristine reef environment with world heritage status.

And because of strict regulations enforced by the Department of Parks & Wildlife your interaction with these gentle giants has minimal impact. You really are seeing these incredible animals in their natural environment.

Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area

Ningaloo was declared a World Heritage Area in 2011 in recognition of its outstanding universal value under the following World Heritage criteria:

• Superlative natural phenomena and areas of exceptional beauty

• Significant natural habitats for the conservation of biological diversity, including threatened species

The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area covers a huge 6045 square kms and stretches more than 300km along the coast of Western Australia. The area includes Ningaloo Marine Park, Cape Range National Park, Murion Islands Nature Reserve and other nearby recognised coastal areas.

Ningaloo Coast is incredibly beautiful. With the outback, ochre-coloured Cape Range National Park contrasting against the brilliant turquoise water of the reef.

A reef that is teeming with so many kinds of fish and wildlife ranging from little nemos, to angelfish, blue spotted rays, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and humpback whales.

But the most famous of the wildlife on Ningaloo Reef is the whaleshark!

Whalesharks

Whalesharks are absolutely fascinating and beautiful. They are also the largest fish in the world! And their distinctive spotted pattern is unique to each individual – just like humans!

Known as the gentle giants of the ocean they range in size for 3m to 12m in length, averaging at 5m. A 12m whale shark can weigh as much as 11 tonnes and have a mouth more than a metre wide.

The name whaleshark come from the fish’s physiology – being as large as some species of the great whales and also a filter feeder that eats plankton. However, the whale shark is actually a true shark with a cartilaginous skeleton and several rows of tiny, redundant teeth.

Ningaloo Reef is one of the few places in the world where whalesharks appear regularly. Whalesharks are most reliably seen swimming and feeding in Ningaloo waters from March to July before. Some years they remain in the area into August and even September and October

So what was my experience swimming with whalesharks on Ningaloo like?

My Experience Swimming with Whalesharks on Ningaloo 

The day started early with my hotel pickup arriving at around 7:15am. On the drive out to meet the boat our guide provided information about the day and the star of the day – the whalesharks!!

On the drive we also spotted a dingo and an emu.

When we reached Tantabiddi Boat Ramp we boarded a small inflatable tender to reach our boat for the day – Ningaloo WhalesharknDive’s purpose built dive vessel ALIIKAI (which means Queen of the sea in Hawaiian).

Once on board we were greeted with a coffee and then fitted out with our snorkel gear as we headed out towards the reef.

Before searching for whalesharks we started with a snorkel on the coral gardens of the Ningaloo Reef Lagoon. This was a great opportunity to see the beautiful Ningaloo Reef and it’s huge variety of fish. It also gives everyone an opportunity to get comfortable with their snorkel gear, etc.

Back on board morning tea was waiting for us as the search for whalesharks began in earnest. As we searched we passed a huge pod of spinner dolphins. There were so many!

It didn’t take long before we spotted our first whaleshark of the day. So exciting!

Our group of 20 had been split into two groups in order to comply with the regulations of the Department of Park & Wildlife which only allow 10 people to snorkel with a whaleshark at a time.

One group at a time would jump into the water and our guide would then ask for to form a line in the direction they pointed. After a short time our guide told us to put our faces in the water.

When it was my turn I didn’t know what to expect. But as I put my face beneath the water the whaleshark approached. Gliding slowly through the clear water it was totally unperturbed by us excited snorkelers.

As the whale shark continued it’s slow swim we all started to scramble to keep up.

Our guides made sure each group had time to swim with these incredible creatures. They also ensured we did not exceed the time limits imposed to ensure human interaction has minimal interruption to the whalesharks natural movement and migration.

At one point the whaleshark we had been following dived deep below us. So deep we lost sight of it.

But soon enough another, or maybe the same one, was spotted and we were back swimming alongside these gentle giants.

All too soon though it was over and we had to bid farewell to this beautiful animal.

On the way back we had another opportunity to snorkel within Ningaloo’s lagoon.

What a day! I couldn’t help but think how my experience swimming with whalesharks on Ningaloo brought back memories of my all-time favourite wildlife experience – tracking gorillas in Rwanda! Interacting with some of the planet’s most incredible animals in their natural environment is a breathtaking experience. And it’s a reminder of the importance of protecting our planet.

Practical Information

For my experience swimming with whale sharks on Ningaloo I chose Ningaloo WhalesharknDive on their Whaleshark Interaction Tour which cost AUD399.00.

Their tour was professional and their guides knowledgable and friendly. The tour also includes professional photos of the day free of charge. Photos like these!!

I stayed in Exmouth at the Potshot Hotel. A clean, simple room which was one of the more affordable options in this remote location where prices are high for pretty much everything.

Exmouth is 1,246kms north of Perth and takes approx 13 hours to drive. Alternatively the flight is close to two hours – yep, the distances in Australia are massive!

Have you swum with whale sharks I’d love to hear about your experience. And if you enjoyed this post why not Pin It!!