Exmouth Whale Shark Snorkel
LOCATION Exmouth Western Australia
DEPTH 5-20 Meters
WATER TEMP 24-28 Degrees
DIFFICULTY Medium
This is a great experience but you will need to be a confident snorkeller to keep up!
FEATURE
Google Map data © 2023 Imagery © Airbus, CNES / Airbus, Maxar Technologies
Exmouth Whale Shark Snorkel
LOCATION Exmouth, Western Australia
DEPTH 5-20 Meters
WATER TEMP 24-28 Degrees
DIFFICULTY Medium
This is a great experience but you will need to be a confident snorkeller to keep up!
FEATURE
Exmouth Whale Shark Snorkel
It is no wonder swimming with whale sharks is a bucket list experience for so many travellers – it is a breathtaking experience. With spotter planes leading the way, these well-coordinated tours meet the highest standards of eco-tourism. And not only will you get in the water with these gentle giants, most tours also offer snorkels on Ningaloo Reef as part of the day and you are also a great chance of spotting whales, dugongs, sea turtles and manta rays.
What Can I See?
- Whale Sharks
- Humpback Whales
- Turtles
- Sharks
- Fish
The whale sharks are the stars of the show but you could spot anything when you are cruising around the outer Ningaloo Reef. We also saw humpback whales, a huge turtle and a dugong. Our daughter saw killer whales when she did the tour. There is also a variety of fish and reef sharks around when you do your preparation snorkels on the reef.
Getting There
Exmouth is 1200km from Perth in Western Australia. There are several tour operators based in the town and they will collect you from your accommodation in Exmouth and take you to the Tantabiddi Boat Ramp where the Exmouth whale shark tour depart from. Or, if you are staying on that side of the Exmouth Peninsula like we were, you can meet tour groups at the jetty.
The boat ramp is about about 30 minutes from Exmouth on the ocean side of the Exmouth Peninsula. If you happen to be staying at Yardie Creek Homestead you are about 5 minutes drive from the Tantabiddi Boat Ramp.
Where & How do you get in?
Everyone we speak to about the whale shark swim comments on how hectic it is. Entry and exit from the water is from the back of the boat which can moving around a bit if there is a swell. You need a bit of strength to get back up onboard – crew do give you a hand but be aware this can be quite a physical activity.
Best Season
Whale sharks are on Ningaloo Reef from March to August, peak season is from May to July.
We strongly recommend booking a whale shark tour well in advance as places fill quickly in peak season.
If you go on a whale shark cruise from June, you might also see humpback whales which are in the area from June to October. There are separate tours available to swim with them.
How Busy/Crowds
The whale sharks are the stars of the show but you could spot anything when you are cruising around the outer Ningaloo Reef. We also saw humpback whales, a huge turtle and a dugong. Our daughter saw killer whales when she did the tour. There is also a variety of fish and reef sharks around when you do your preparation snorkels.
Recommended Gear
Wetsuits, Mask, Snorkel and Fins are provided by the tour company
More Information
Reading back over this, you might think swimming with whale sharks sounds a bit rough and tumble – but don’t be put off! So long as you are confident in the water the crew are amazing and will give you every chance to have an incredible encounter with a whale shark (along with whatever else cruises past on the day).
Keep in mind sightings and the length of sightings cannot be guaranteed, neither can the conditions.
Visibility
Visibility is usually 10-15 meters but can be 25+ meters
Costs / Permits
Snorkelling with whale sharks is a thrilling experience, but it does not come cheap. Expect to pay $500 – $600 per adult for the day. Depending on the provider, there might be different rates for children.
Most tours will include a snorkel or two on the reef. It is also worth checking what is included as far as photo packages go. Some tours include pictures, other don’t, they will cost extra.
The information for each snorkel spot is provided by people who have snorkelled there. However, snorkelling conditions change daily. Please be aware that wind, swell, tides and cloud cover can all affect visibility and your experience in the water.
Disclosure: Please Note That Some Links In This Post May Be Affiliate Links, And At No Additional Cost To You, We Earn A Small Commission If You Make A Purchase. Commissions Go Toward Maintaining The Snorkel Spots Website.
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Exmouth Whale Shark Tours
Best Conditions
Northerly, Easterly or Southerly winds are okay but Westerlies cause some difficulties on the reef. The best condititions have low swell. Having said this the tour operator will go if it is safe to do so and given that it can be very difficult to rebook for another day it is best to follow their recommendations.
Windy Map Instructions – Click on the wind icon in the top right to see other conditions such as swell, temperature, rain. To clear the four day forecast click and close the wind icon.
Facilities on Board
Facilities can vary from depending on the tour operator.
Toilets
Shade
Food & Drinks
About the Snorkel
Oh boy, had we been looking forward to this! We had been waiting on a chance to snorkel with whale sharks for years so were super excited when we got to do this. From talking to people, most tours operate in a similar way, so this is what to expect.
While spotter planes locate the whale sharks, you get to do a snorkel on the reef. This was pretty good, but it is quite deep, so everything is quite a way away.
With all your gear sorted word comes through they have found the whale sharks – and a well-rehearsed operation swings into action. Swimming with whale sharks is very structured with strict rules about how close you can get to the giant fish. We can’t fault the ethical approach the operators have to the whale sharks.
Everyone on the tour is put in groups and when you are told to hop in, it all happens very quickly. As the whale shark appears you watch it swim past then you can swim with it – if you can keep up. If you are not a strong snorkeller you will watch it swim off into the distance! But, if you are lucky, they will be a bit more chilled and you can stay with them more easily.
When you are directed back to the boat, there is some urgency so they can keep track of the whale shark. Getting back onto the boat can be tricky if there is a swell and the platform and ladder is moving around a bit.
We went through this process 5 or 6 times – and it was as exhausting as it was exhilarating so be prepared! That said, it was an amazing experience. To top it off, on our way back to shore, humpback whales appeared and were breaching and blowing all around us.
Seeing the whale sharks emerge from the blue is an experience we will never forget.
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