Ningaloo Reef snorkeling tour: Manta rays, sharks and turtles

Swim alongside tiger sharks and turtles on a reef safari with fresh-cooked lunch included

A full-day snorkeling tour of Ningaloo Reef where you swim with manta rays, tiger sharks, loggerhead turtles and hundreds of coral species, guided by crew with over 20 years on the reef. The boat carries morning and afternoon tea, a freshly cooked lunch, in-water tour photos, and all snorkel gear; the day runs seven hours and includes a restroom on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ningaloo Reef wildlife

• Swim with manta rays
• Swim with tiger sharks
• Swim with loggerhead turtles
• Snorkel among coral and fish
• Enjoy morning tea
• Have lunch on board
• Enjoy afternoon tea

The Experience

Ningaloo Reef is not a single stop—it's a working safari. The crew has spent over two decades on this water, so they know where the animals move and when. You'll spend the day in the water with whatever the ocean brings: manta rays are the draw, but tiger sharks, loggerhead turtles, and the reef's millions of fish and hundreds of coral species are all part of the same day. The boat handles the logistics—you bring nothing but your willingness to get in.

Seven hours on the water means time to move between sites instead of rushing through one. Morning tea and afternoon tea break up the day; lunch is freshly cooked on board with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. All snorkel gear is provided, including short wetsuits. A guide speaks English throughout, and the boat has a restroom on board. In-water photographers capture the moments so you can focus on what's in front of you.

The reef itself is the thing—turquoise water, coral formations, and the animals that live in them. A moderate level of physical fitness is needed for the swimming and entry into the water, but the boat is wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed on board. Public transportation options run to the departure point.

What’s included

• All snorkel gear and short wetsuits.
• morning and afternoon tea.
• freshly cooked lunch with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
• in-water tour photos.
• restroom access on board.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ningaloo Marine Interactions

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a live guide, so you're in a group moving between sites together—the crew's 20 years on the reef means they position the boat where the animals are, not where the crowds gather. Book this if you want to swim with multiple species in one day and have the logistics (gear, food, photos) handled for you, rather than arranging snorkeling stops on your own.

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Top questions

What animals will I actually see on this Ningaloo Reef tour?

Manta rays are the primary draw, but the day also includes tiger sharks, loggerhead turtles, millions of fish and hundreds of coral species. The crew positions the boat based on where the animals are moving that day, so the specific wildlife changes with each departure.

How long is the snorkeling tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs seven hours and includes all snorkel gear, short wetsuits, morning and afternoon tea, a freshly cooked lunch with dietary options, in-water tour photos, and access to the restroom on board.

Do I need snorkeling experience to join this tour?

You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness for swimming and water entry, but no prior snorkeling experience is required. All gear is provided and a guide in English is with you throughout the day.

What makes this crew different from other Ningaloo tours?

The crew has called Ningaloo Reef home for over 20 years, which means they know the reef's patterns and where to find the animals. That experience shapes where the boat goes and what you're likely to encounter.

Is the boat accessible, and can I bring a service animal?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the boat are wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed on board. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.