Swimming With Whale Sharks

This experience of swimming with Whale Sharks was something of probably once in a life time. I’ve always been passionate about nature and animals, that’s probably why I liked Australia so much. There’s weird looking animals everywhere! And the most important, most of them are unique of Australia so you can’t see them anywhere else.

And of course once I started listening about Swimming with Whale Sharks I knew I had unblock a new necessity.
You can swim with these gentle giants in Western Australia, more specifically at the Ningaloo Reef (listed as a World Heritage). Where every year between March and July there’s up to 600 hundred Whale Shark appearing to have a feast on Krill and Plankton.
Making this spot one of the best to see this incredible and prehistoric creature. Whale Shark have been swimming in the ocean for over 450 million years ago.
Whale Shark are the biggest fish in the word, getting up to 18 meters long. Thats like a bus and a half of length.

These animals are called “Gentle Giants” because their main and ONLY source of food is microscopic. This means they are filter feeders, with a massive mouth, getting to a meter long, to filter as much water as possible.

I reckon this is one of the best places to live this experience in a responsible and environmentally way. There’s lot of controversy about swimming with Whale Shark in some parts of South East Asia, as they feed the Whale Sharks, changing their migration patterns and exposing them to a unsafe quantity of tourist.

Please make your own research before going or paying to any random tour agency which could be exploiting these magnificent animals.

If you are a person who tends to get seasick, I strongly recommend taking some medicine the night before. During our expedition, there were three people who had a terrible time because of it; they couldn’t even get in the water to see the whale sharks.

Start Of The Day

They picked us up at 7:30 AM from the designated location in a personalised company van. We then head to the Tandabiddi boat ramp, where we’ll board the Magellan.

During the ride, the friendly staff will share information on the marine life inhabiting the reef, history of the area, and insights about Cape Range National Park.

Once we arrived at the boat ramp, the adventure begins!

Searching For The Whale Sharks

The crew briefed us on safety and prepared full body suits for each guest. After putting on the suits, we embarked to our first snorkel spot.

Here, we jumped into the water and swam to see incredible coral reefs and colourful fish.

Meanwhile, the company’s spotter plane searched for the day’s main attraction: Whale Sharks. They also kept an eye out for other large animals like Humpback Whales and Manta Rays.

Unfortunately, it was July, near the end of the Whale Shark season, so our chances of seeing them were slim. We were really hoping to find some, though.

However, while finding Whale Sharks seemed difficult, something else amazing happened!

The Humpback Whale breeding season had just begun, and we saw at least 6 Humpback Whales on our journey, with many fins, tails, and jumps.

If you’ve never seen a Whale jump, it’s breathtaking!

The spotter plane even informed the crew of Killer Whales hunting newborn Humpback Whales, which is thrilling but also disturbing. Thankfully, we didn’t see the hunt. Nature can be harsh, but we wouldn’t have wanted to see a baby whale harmed.

Finding And Swimming With Whale Sharks

After searching for Whale Sharks for over three hours, anxiety started to set in. We had no news, and panic began to rise.
Suddenly, the spotter plane spotted one! A wave of excitement flooded me – I felt like the luckiest person in the world.
The guides divided us into two groups (10 per group) so the whole activity was better organised and there was no chance to stress the Shark.

We quickly prepared to jump into the water. The guides organised us into a line to avoid interfering with the Whale Shark’s path, and the photographer readied their camera.
The goal: create a line perpendicular to the Whale Shark’s movement for optimal viewing and minimal disruption.
My excitement was off the charts! When it appeared in the distance, a blurry spot against the endless deep blue, I couldn’t have imagined its true magnificence.
The Whale Shark grew larger with each passing moment. At an astonishing 8 meters long (almost the size of a bus), it was a majestic creature with a surprisingly gentle face – tiny eyes and a pattern of white dots that shimmered under the sunlight.

We attempted to swim alongside it, but it was impossible. The Whale Shark moved with a serene calmness that contrasted its impressive speed. With a single flick of its tail, it propelled itself meters underwater. It was perfectly adapted to its aquatic environment. As the Whale Shark swam away, we were left in a state of pure euphoria. We couldn’t believe what we had just witnessed! The celebratory shouts from everyone around me echoed my own awe.

Second Chance To See It Again

Back on the boat, the captain sped up to try and catch the Whale Shark again for another encounter.

Following the same procedure, we were prepped for a second view. It’s crucial to follow the guides’ instructions. Unfortunately, one participant ignored the line formation and swam directly in front of the Whale Shark. This is not only disrespectful to the animal but also dangerous. While Whale Sharks aren’t predatory, a tail swipe could easily knock someone unconscious.

During this second chance, I spotted a school of fish swimming beneath the Whale Shark. The immense size of this giant was evident, with a whole community of fish living under it. It reminded me of an ancient tree with its own ecosystem.

Despite our attempts, keeping up with its speed was impossible. This encounter made me realise it truly is a shark. From the front, its gentle face resembles a whale, but the tail, fin, and swimming style from the back reveal its true nature. It commands respect from its surroundings.

Having Lunch And Returning To Shore

Still in awe after our incredible encounter, a delicious lunch of rice, vegetables, bread, and chicken (for non-vegetarians) was served on board. It was the perfect way to refuel after a thrilling morning. As the adrenaline wore off, fatigue set in. We hadn’t realized how much effort all the jumping, swimming, and maneuvering required. Fuelled by coffee and mate conversation, we eagerly discussed our amazing opportunity to see the world’s biggest fish up close.

The way back felt shorter, perhaps due to the excitement dissipating. The softer light created a sense of blissful peace and gratitude. As a parting gift, we received certificates commemorating our successful mission of swimming with Whale Sharks. This unforgettable experience will undoubtedly be a cherished memory for life, one of the best I’ve ever had.

The Tour Agency

After some investigation we decide to booked this adventure with King Ningaloo Reef Tours, which were awesome from the beginning till the end. You can organise with them the pick up point around Exmouth.
Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours offers eco-friendly experiences in a World Heritage Marine Park, emphasising education, minimal wildlife disturbance, energy efficiency, natural sunscreens, water conservation, noise reduction, reducing single-use plastics, recycling uniforms, composting waste, and sustainable local sourcing.

Why we choose this company? Simple because Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours offers an exclusive, expert-led experience of swimming with whale sharks with limited group sizes, a spacious boat, top-quality equipment, guaranteed sightings, and complimentary meals, photos, and gifts. The whole crew were very professional, with a camera guy and a marine biologist on board ready to answer any question we had. The boat is called Magellan, a vessel of 20 Mts long with plenty of room for all guests. It has a maximum capacity of 20 people and 10 per group jumping to the water.

Price Of The Tour

• $475 Australian Dollars ($314 USD) per person
• $1750 ($1156 USD) per Family (2+2) 3-16yrs
• $250 ($165 USD) per person Observer
• FREE – Infant 2yr and under

Group Discount Swimmer Rates

• $455 ($300 USD) – Per Person (5-10)
• $430 ($284 USD) – Per Person (11-20)

The tour price includes:

• All photos from the trip
• Lunch
• Pick-up and drop-off at your designated location
• Commemorative certificate
• Free repeat tour guarantee if you don’t see any Whale Sharks (subject to availability). If you can’t take the repeat tour, you’ll receive a partial refund.

While the tour isn’t cheap (It costs more than our entire 3-night all-inclusive stay on a boat while cruising Komodo National Park, in Indonesia) it’s absolutely worth the price. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again! It’s a unique experience that not everyone will have the chance to try. The season is limited to specific months, and the tours operate in a remote location of Australia. However, I strongly recommend swimming with Whale Sharks! This is an experience everyone should try if they have the opportunity.

What To Bring To Enjoy Swimming With Whale Sharks

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Beach towel
• Jacket/Jumper or spare change of clothes are recommended in cooler weather.
• Seasickness medication . If you experience motion sickness please seek advice from a pharmacist prior to your tour.