Exmouth: Whale Shark Swimming & Ningaloo Reef Snorkel

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Travelers' pick

1/43

Duration6h–7h

GroupUp to 18

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

You're either in the water with a whale shark or you're not—and Ningaloo makes the difference

You're picked up from your hotel and spend a full day on a two-storey vessel snorkelling the Ningaloo Reef and swimming with whale sharks (April–August) or humpback whales (September–November). Gear, lunch, morning tea, and a videographer are included; if you don't see a whale shark, you return free. The boat has a covered lower deck and upper sun area, plus a safety zodiac in the water at all times.

6h–7h

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkel and swim with marine giants

Pick up from accommodation
Board 65-foot Ningaloo Blue vessel
Enjoy morning tea on board
Snorkel on Ningaloo Reef
Swim with Whale Sharks or Humpback Whales
Enjoy gourmet buffet lunch
Snorkel again on Ningaloo Reef
Relax on upper deck and sunbathe
Return to shore and drop off

The Experience

Most people watch whale sharks on screens. You'll be in the water with them, maybe three metres away, watching something the size of a school bus move past like it's got nowhere to be. The Ningaloo Reef runs just off the coast of Exmouth, and the whale sharks show up April through August—humpback whales take over September to November. The boat is a 65-foot two-storey vessel with a covered lower deck, an upper sun deck, and a marlin board right at water level so you can slip in without fuss. There's a safety zodiac in the water the whole time, and spotter planes help locate the animals, so you're not just hoping to see something.

Your day starts with hotel pickup, then you're on the water for the full trip. Morning tea and coffee come early, and lunch is a gourmet buffet—cold meats, fresh salads, fruit, bread, drinks—served while you're still out there. You get two separate snorkel sessions on the reef itself, so it's not just one quick dip. Snorkelling gear is provided (mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit), and if you need a prescription mask, they'll have it ready. A videographer films the whole thing, so you can buy footage of yourself swimming alongside something that's been around for millions of years. The gift pack at the end includes a certificate with the date you swam with your first whale shark, which sounds small until you're holding it.

The no-show policy matters: if you don't see a whale shark, you go again for free. That's not marketing—that's the operator betting they'll find one. Weather doesn't stop the boat; you just dress for it. Kids can come as long as an adult is with them, and the fitness bar is moderate, not extreme. Bring a hat, sunscreen, towel, and a change of clothes. The boat runs in all conditions, so plan for sun or wind.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a full-day boat trip on a 65-foot two-storey vessel, morning tea and coffee with treats, two snorkel sessions on Ningaloo Reef, a gourmet buffet lunch, all snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit), prescription masks if needed, a safety zodiac in the water throughout, a videographer to film your swim, and a complimentary gift pack with a certificate of your first whale shark encounter. Spotter planes assist with locating marine life.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ningaloo Blue

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to actually swim with whale sharks or humpbacks rather than watch from the boat—the full-day format, two snorkel sessions, and spotter planes make the sighting likely enough that the operator guarantees a free return if you don't see one.