Life on Ningaloo
Humpback & Whaleshark Tour
Small Group
Max of 10 guests
(Up to 7 swimmers 3 observers)
Season
August – October
Complimentary Transportation
To and from Exmouth township
Full Day Tour
8.30 a.m. – 2.00 p.m
excluding transfer time
Gear
Wetsuits and snorkel gear provided
Photos
Complimentary professional digital photography on deck and underwater
Delicious Lunch
Catered to all dietary requirements, including snacks
Celebration
A glass of bubbles at day’s end to toast your adventures
Life on Ningaloo — the whole reef, one small group, all day
A small group, an unhurried day, and a crew who stay with the wildlife — whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, humpbacks and more.
Our Life on Ningaloo tour is a small, single swimming group and a full, unhurried day on the water. Fewer people on board means more room to breathe, more time with the wildlife, and a crew who know your name. So when something extraordinary turns up, the moment is yours to enjoy, not rush. Every guest swims with everything we find. The only seat-to-seat difference is the humpback encounter, which our license limits to seven swimmers at a time.
Seat 1 – Humpback Whale & Whale shark Swim
Your place is reserved in the humpback swim group (limited to 7) — plus every other swim of the day: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and the reef. If humpbacks are around and willing, you’re in the water with them. Wildlife is wild, so we can never promise a humpback will appear — but if one does, your place is ready.
Seat 2 – Whale Shark Swim
You’re in the water for everything we find on the day except humpback whales — whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and the reef. Our license caps the humpback swim at seven people, so that one encounter is reserved for Humpback Whale + Whale Shark Swim guests only. This seat does not include the humpback swim, and isn’t on standby for it. Everything else the day brings, you’re swimming — same boat, same day, same once-in-a-lifetime water.
What’s The Difference?
Both seats join the full Life on Ningaloo day and swim with the wildlife we find. Humpback Whale + Whale Shark Swim reserves your place in the humpback swim group (limited to 7). Whale Shark Swim covers every other swim of the day — whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and the reef — but does not include the humpback swim
We promise to deliver the best possible tour we can muster. We utilise spotter planes, limit our guest count*, and try our best to secure you multiple swims with different species. We’re here to show you the Ningaloo Reef as the locals see it – in all its wondrous, ever-changing glory.
Of course, we know just how important it is to capture some special moments from your tour, and that’s why we have a professional photographer onboard taking incredible snaps. You’re also more than welcome to bring your own camera to grab those perfect underwater selfies.
With a maximum of 10 guests aboard Wave Rider, our luxury vessel, our Life on Ningaloo tour, offers more time in the water and more interactions with the stunning Ningaloo Reef wildlife.
Want an even more intimate experience? Our Private Life in Ningaloo tours allows you to book our vessel and crew all to yourself.
Ready to join us in the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean? Book your Life on Ningaloo tour today!
Advance bookings for all tours are essential.
*Life on Ningaloo tours are super special and guest numbers are even more exclusive for this tour. We take a maximum of 10 guests: up to 7 Humpback Whale + Whale Shark Swim guests, whose place is reserved in the humpback swim group, and 3 Whale Shark Swim guests, who swim with everything we find on the day except humpback whales. Wildlife is wild, so we can never promise a humpback will appear — the humpback seats simply reserve your place in that swim group if one does.
Things to bring
While we take care of most essentials, there are a few creature comforts you should bring along to make your adventure even more amazing. Remember to pack light, it’s a boat adventure day.
Hat and sunglasses
Towel, bathers and sunscreen
Dry clothing and a warm jacket
Seasickness medication
If you are prone to seasickness or unsure
Snorkelling gear
If you prefer to use your own snorkelling gear
Itinerary
While we like to think we’re the best at what we do, some things, like the weather, sea state, customer ability, wildlife location, etc., are occasionally out of our control. Every once in a while, this itinerary might change.
Because we keep our tours small, we’re pretty flexible. We will always try to take what’s on offer naturally on the Ningaloo Reef and make the most of the day at hand. We’ll always deliver the best tour we can.
Below is a sample Life on Ningaloo itinerary.
The day before your tour: Hydrate, avoid alcohol in excess and chill – you’re going to have an action-packed day, so prepare accordingly!
6:30AM
Jump out of bed, splash your face with water, and get a nutritious breakfast. You’re about to have one of the most exciting days of your life!
7:35AM
Live Ningaloo’s complimentary shuttle service will collect you from your accommodation. (Make sure you’ve let us know where you’re staying). For a complete list of where to pick up locations and times, check out our FAQs.
8:30AM
After a 30-minute informative drive with our crew, you’ll arrive at Tantabiddi Boat Ramp on the west side. This is where we keep Wave Rider.
9:00AM
Once we’re all on board and briefed by our skipper, you’ll be kitted out with your outfit for the day—a mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit (if you haven’t brought your own).
9:15AM
After you’re squeezed into your wetsuit and looking fabulous, we’ll head to our first snorkel spot for the day (location is weather and sea state dependant). You can expect to see coral, fish and perhaps even stingrays, turtles and more if you’re lucky! This is also an excellent opportunity to test out your equipment for the day and ensure everything fits and there are no leaks!
9:45AM
Hop back on Wave Rider for a warm cup of tea or coffee and a light snack. The day is just beginning!
10:00AM
Our spotter planes are above us, searching for all things megafauna, keeping a special eye on anything interesting. Depending on the seasonality, we could search for whale sharks, humpback whales, and manta rays. They’ll communicate via radio with our skipper to let us know exactly where to head and what the behaviours of the wildlife are displaying. We will be steaming out to meet them whilst our crew brief you on swimming with the wildlife, what to do, and what not to do. Now is a great time to ensure all your gear is back on and ready to go.
If we are lucky enough to spot and swim with a whale shark, humpback whale or manta ray, this is your time to shine! You’ll have your snorkelling equipment on and be ready to jump in when our skipper and guides deem it safe. Our photographer will also be in the water to assist and capture the day.
12:45PM
After a few hours with the megafauna, squealing in your masks, and weeing in your wetsuits (we all do it), we’ll cruise back inside the lagoon.
1:00PM
We anchor up and get stuck into a delicious lunch. It’s the perfect way to refuel after a once-in-a-lifetime morning.
1:20PM
Weather permitting, you’ll jump in the water for your second snorkel of the day inside the lagoon. Cruise and take it slow while you soak up this unforgettable experience.
2:15PM
We will pop a bottle of sparkling, toast to the day, and cruise back to the Tantabiddi Boat Ramp.
2:30PM
Live Ningaloo’s complimentary shuttle service will take you back into Exmouth Township and drop you at your accommodation. Can someone say “best day ever”?
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Not getting your dates? Join the waitlist!
There's no need to call us—we will contact you if a cancellation occurs for your preferred tour date. When a spot becomes available, we will reach out to waitlisted guests in the order they signed up. If we do not receive an answer, we will move to the next person on the list.
Please note that no seats are held. Full payment must be made at the time of booking, either through our website or over the phone.