Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish and each year between mid-March and the end of July hundreds of whale sharks congregate around the Ningaloo Reef to feed. There are a number of tour companies that offer the truly unforgettable experience of swimming with these majestic giants.

Tours operate out of Exmouth and Coral Bay.

Whale sharks are filter feeders, while they are often curious around people they eat large volumes of really small organisms, such as krill, plankton, coral spawns and fish eggs.

What to expect from a whale shark swim:

Whale Shark tours are usually full-day activities, you should expect to leave early in the morning and be back late afternoon. After transferring to the boat, you will travel to the outer Ningaloo reef and receive our safety briefing along the way. You will be guided to the whale sharks by spotter planes and the boat will stop at a safe distance. Then it is time to jump in with your guide and experience swimming with these beautiful gentle giants. Generally, you will be dropped ahead of the whale shark and then picked up after it has swum past you and the process is repeated multiple times.

Ningaloo Reef is one of the most reliable places to do a Whale Shark Swim with the highest interaction rates in the world, of 96%. All the whale shark swim operators offer a no sighting policy, meaning if you don’t see a Whale Shark you can join the next available tour free of charge.

Whale Sharks swims are sustainably run and a true eco-tourism experience. All the tours are run by a small group of responsible operators adhering to the strict procedures and guidelines set out by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions to ensure that tours have minimal impact on the whale sharks. A portion of each ticket sold goes towards whale shark research and conservation.

Book your Whale Shark Swim: