Swim with Whale Sharks in Exmouth
Small Group
Max of 10 guests
(swimming or non-swimming)
Season
March – July
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
Imagine a close encounter with the world’s largest living sharks…
Our Swim with Whale Sharks tour offers you the unrivalled opportunity to glide alongside these awe-inspiring creatures, witnessing their elegance in the shimmering blue waters of Ningaloo Reef.
It’s difficult to describe what swimming with whale sharks is like until you’ve done it. It’s truly something you have to see to believe. Our experienced crew will guide you through this unforgettable experience, ensuring your comfort and safety as you snorkel beside these magnificent sea giants.
With a maximum of 10 guests aboard Wave Rider, our luxury vessel, our Swim with the Whale Sharks tour, is a bespoke and intimate experience, offering greater flexibility and more time in the water.
From a pre-swim informational session led by our marine scientist guide to a celebratory toast at the end of the day, we’ve curated every detail to enhance your encounter with these marine titans.
Whether or not you want to bring your camera, our professional photographer will be on hand to capture incredible moments in and out of the water.
Want an even more intimate experience? Our Private Swim with Whale Shark tour allows you to book our vessel and crew all to yourself.
Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeller or embarking on your first marine adventure, this tour is perfect for a range of ages and abilities. You don’t need to be a SCUBA diver to enjoy this experience—the whale sharks swim close to the surface.
Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and make your dream of swimming with whale sharks come true. Let the mysteries of the deep unfold before your eyes in an unforgettable journey of discovery. Book your Swim with Whale Sharks tour today and snorkell into the adventure you’ve been waiting for.
Advance bookings for all tours are essential.
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 Swim with Whale Sharks tour 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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