For a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the ocean’s gentle giants, the Whale Shark Tour is an experience you won’t want to miss. From the moment you step aboard, everything is taken care of—top-quality snorkel gear and wetsuits, expert guidance in the water, and even a spotter plane to give you the best chance of swimming alongside these magnificent creatures. Along the way, you might also encounter manta rays and humpback whales, making the day even more magical.

But the adventure doesn’t stop in the water. Your day on the stunning Ningaloo Reef includes a delicious buffet lunch, refreshing drinks, and plenty of snacks, all while soaking up the breathtaking scenery. An onboard photographer captures every incredible moment, so you can relive the experience without lifting a finger.

Enjoy a seamless, unforgettable, and well-organised adventure that connects you with Ningaloo’s incredible marine life. Book now and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Itinerary
7:45 AM – Hotel Pick-Up: Courtesy transfer from your Exmouth accommodation to Tantabiddi Boat Ramp, with insights on Cape Range National Park along the way.

Welcome Aboard: Board the 17-metre vessel, meet the crew, and get fitted with snorkel gear and wetsuits.

Reef Snorkel: Begin your adventure with a snorkel on Ningaloo Reef, home to turtles, rays, reef sharks, octopuses, and vibrant coral.

Whale Shark Swim: Our spotter plane finds a whale shark, and groups take turns swimming alongside these gentle giants, aiming for multiple encounters throughout the day.

Lunch & Relaxation: Enjoy morning tea, a buffet lunch, and afternoon tea. Time permitting, finish with a final reef snorkel before a celebratory beer or champagne.

Bonus Wildlife Sightings: Possible encounters with manta rays (from late May) and humpback whales (from June).

4:00 – 5:00 PM – Return to Exmouth: Arrive back at your accommodation after an unforgettable day on Ningaloo Reef.

No Sighting Policy
One of the following options may be chosen by passengers who have paid as snorkelers. Observers are not entitled to the No Sighting Policy.

• A free repeat tour on the next available day which may or may not be the following day.
• A free, non-transferable, repeat voucher valid for 2 years from the date of the No Sighting.
• A $100 refund per person*
  *Refunds paid will be either credited to the credit card used to pay for the booking or to a nominated bank account. No cash refunds will be paid.  Passengers who make bookings through agents who opt for this option will have to wait until the tour has been paid in full to us by the booking agent before the partial refund can be processed.

Nestled against the striking red limestone cliffs of Cape Range, Ningaloo Reef is a breathtaking underwater world teeming with marine life. Spend a day exploring this vibrant coral paradise, where every moment is unforgettable.

Swim alongside gentle whale sharks, snorkel with graceful manta rays, and find yourself surrounded by a dazzling array of tropical fish (keep an eye out for Nemo!). Spot turtles and reef sharks cruising over the sandy seabed, and watch dolphins leap and play in the shimmering waters as you sail beneath endless blue skies.

Join the expert team for an unforgettable day of adventure, discovery, and awe-inspiring encounters on Ningaloo Reef.

Itinerary

8:15 AM – Hotel Pick-Up: Relax in our air-conditioned courtesy bus as we take you on a scenic 36 km journey to Tantabiddi Boat Ramp, with insights into Ningaloo Reef’s history and marine life.

Welcome Aboard: Step onto one of our modern, spacious vessels, meet the crew, and get fitted with snorkel gear and wetsuits before a quick safety briefing.

Reef Snorkel: Start your adventure with a snorkel on Ningaloo’s inner reef, where you may spot turtles, stingrays, and colorful fish among the coral.

Marine Wildlife Search: Cruise to the outer reef as our spotter plane searches for whale sharks, with chances to see dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, and humpback whales along the way. Enjoy a morning tea, buffet lunch, and afternoon platters between sightings.

Final Reef Snorkel: If time permits, return to the inner reef for a second snorkel at another beautiful site.

3:30 – 4:00 PM – Return to Exmouth: Wrap up the day with a fruit and cheese platter before heading back to Tantabiddi Boat Ramp and returning to your accommodation.

No Sighting Policy

Whale Sharks and all of the other animals that inhabit Ningaloo Reef are completely wild and are not trained, encouraged or coerced in any way to interact with passengers or crew. They can at times be unpredictable and the location and/or duration of time taken to locate them cannot be guaranteed or predicted by 3 Islands crew or management. Some animals are seasonal and we do not guarantee that passengers will see all or in rare cases any of the more sought-after animals found on the reef. Example: Humpback Whales, Dugongs, Turtles.

Please note as this tour is conducted in the shoulder season, in the unfortunate event where we do not have a whale shark sighting or in-water interaction due to the nature of wildlife tours, there are no refunds, free repeat tours or further discounts available.

Ningaloo Reef is home to one of the world’s largest populations of migrating humpback whales, and one of the few places where you can legally swim alongside them. Every year, these incredible creatures journey along Western Australia’s coast, offering an unforgettable opportunity to witness them up close from our custom-built vessel. With our spotter planes guiding the way, you’ll have the chance to snorkel beside these gentle giants in the crystal-clear turquoise waters and even hear their hauntingly beautiful songs—a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

From early August to mid-October, Exmouth’s waters come alive as humpback whales breach and play, while mothers and calves gracefully navigate their migration route between Antarctica and the warm waters of the North West Shelf. An estimated 40,000 whales pass through Ningaloo Reef each year, using its calm, protected waters as a sanctuary to rest and nurture their young before continuing their long journey south.

Join us for an intimate and breathtaking encounter with one of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring creatures.

Itinerary

Journey to the Departure Point

Early August – Mid-September: Pick-up from your Exmouth accommodation at 9:15 am for a scenic 36 km journey to the departure point. Along the way, enjoy insights into Exmouth’s history and Cape Range National Park.

Mid-September – Mid-October: Tours depart from Exmouth Marina at 9:40 am (no pick-up from Yardie Homestead).

Welcome Aboard: Step onto our 17-metre vessel, your comfortable home for the day. Meet our experienced crew, get fitted with quality wetsuits and snorkel gear, and receive a safety briefing before setting off.

The Adventure Begins: Cruise through Ningaloo Reef Lagoon (from Tantabiddi) or along the North West Cape (from Exmouth Marina) to your morning snorkel site. Enjoy breathtaking views of Navy Pier, Mildura Wreck, Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, and Lighthouse Bay along the way.

Morning Snorkel: Dive into crystal-clear waters and explore Ningaloo Reef’s vibrant marine life. Spot turtles, stingrays, reef sharks, octopus, and colourful fish among the coral. Snorkel tuition and floatation aids are available for beginners.

Humpback Whale Encounter: After your snorkel, our spotter plane locates the first humpback whales of the day. Once a suitable whale (or group) is found, we observe their behaviour before determining if an in-water interaction is possible. These curious giants may approach for a closer look or simply glide by—it’s always on their terms!

While we strive for the best experience, swimming with the whales cannot be guaranteed. Safety and respect for marine life come first, and no refunds or repeat tours are available if an interaction does not occur.

Lunch & Relaxation: Enjoy a delicious morning tea, gourmet buffet lunch, and afternoon tea, with a selection of hot and cold refreshments throughout the day.

Return to Exmouth: Wrap up this incredible day with a celebratory sparkling wine or craft Exmouth beer, paired with a local WA fruit and cheese platter. Return to the boat ramp or marina, arriving at your accommodation around 5:00–5:30 pm.

No Sighting Policy

While the tour company will do everything we can to ensure a Humpback Whale Interaction, we cannot guarantee that you will get to swim with these truly amazing mammals. Unfortunately, there are no free repeat tours, refunds or guarantees that will be available. In the event we are unsuccessful with an in-water interaction, we can offer a second trip at 50% off.