Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim on a Powerboat
5
Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim on a Powerboat
By Ningaloo Discovery
About
Ages 3-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 9h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- TRIP INCLUDES:
- Whale Shark Swim on a powerboat
- Delicious morning tea
- Healthy, yummy buffet lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Snacks
- Tea/Coffee, Water
- Snorkelling equipment
- Wetsuits
- Professional photos from your day (both in the water and above the water) at no extra charge by our professional onboard photographer
- Kayaking equipment
- Stand up paddle board
- Celebratory glass of champagne
- Complimentary gift pack per group booking
- Whale shark swimmer certificate
- Lunch
- Coffee and/or Tea
What's not included- N/A
- Departure details
- Traveler pickup is offered.
- Pick up from all Exmouth accomodation locations. Ningaloo Discovery must be advised via email of accommodation location in order to arrange pick up. Directions: ESSENTIAL: GUESTS MUST ADVISE NINGALOO DISCOVERY VIA EMAIL OF THEIR ACCOMODATION LOCATION SO THE BUS CAN BE DIRECTED TO PICK UP.
- Hotel pickup is offered. View the hotel list on our checkout page to see if yours is included among the pickup points.
- Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 7954P8- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Anyone entering the water must have basic swimming ability
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 7954P8
About the operator
Ningaloo Discovery
2,466
Australia
Joined in December 2011
#3 of 41 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Exmouth
- I6433FZpatriciaf00Experience of a LifetimeWe had the absolute pleasure of taking a cruise on Windcheetah on the 1st of November, 2023. We were taken to a beautiful reef to practice our snorkelling after being given snorkelling lessons. Then we went out to the deep and very quickly due to the spotter plane we were swimming with a huge and gentle Whale Shark. We had a fantastic chance to swim with this ocean behemoth for a really long time. All if the crew were friendly, kind and very knowledgeable. Everything about the day was great. Ningaloo Discovery helped me realise a dream of swimming with a Whale Shark that I have had for 48 years. They looked after all ages from young children to people in their sixties with outstanding service and attention to detail. Thanks from a very happy and satisfied customer, Love Tricia.
- SCDWoolooga7800Amazing whale shark experienceThis was such a brilliant day. The crew were amazing and worked hard at making sure we had the best experience possible. We ended doing 4 swims with 2 different whale sharks and it was a really incredible experience to swim alongside a whale shark. Also the food was really good and the glass of bubbles at the end of the day really topped off a world class experience.
- Trip4586475945600Whale shark swimAn absolutely fantastic experience. Smooth booking and we were kept well informed about tour details - pick up time, equipment etc.. The crew on the day were brilliant. Very helpful and informative and hugely enthusiastic. Two swims with two different whale sharks - the second one was particulary cooperative - seemingly swimmimg in circles around us. The crew were so enthusiastic and determined to get us in with the whale sharks, and the photographer took lots of great pics. Also had two other snorkelling swims inside the reef. Food and nibble on board were great. Can't speak highly enough of the crew.
- jasminesS6062YT00best experiance in every way!simply the best experience I've ever had- the staff, the service, the boat, the food, the whale sharks, the photographer and the experience were all top-notch!
- fee37300Incredible Tour company 👍My dream came true when I got to have a swim with a whale shark. My experience was enhanced by the awesome staff (from the admin in booking to the crew on deck). They went above and beyond to make our experience the best! 🐳 🦈 I have already recommended Ningaloo Discovery to other travellers and will 100% come back if I ever make it back to this incredible part of Australia.
- Karencali6500Amazing experience bucket list ticked !Thank you for a truly exceptional experience today as we swam with whale Sharks ! We were lucky enough to be able to swim 3 times and as an added bonus we witnessed a mother humpback & very young calf !!! Turtles and dolphins ticked boxes and while the weather was a big rough that didn’t deter from a marvelous experience ! The crew were amazing & a glass of bubbles to end our day was most welcome 🤗 thanks again We loved every minute !
- Jennifer C00Great whale shark swim!The Ningaloo Discovery crew were professional and very friendly! We had an amazing experience swimming with a whale shark. The Wind Cheetah catamaran was very comfortable and clean.
- Wander1279907014400highly recommend, best experience ever!We had the best experience! Lizzie, Aaliyah and Tash were awesome! They were so helpful, went above and beyond, even entertained our 2 year old with a dance party! Highly recommend. Thanks for the best day!
- newjasnow00Top tourTop trip! Saw all three big ones, and crew fun and professional. Always a joy to go out with these guys. Bus isn't flash but who cares, rest is bang on!
- kerrygD4765JN00AmazingThe most amazing experience. 10/10 Very friendly and informative crew. Had a great day. Thanks heaps 🤙
- 138adrianh00Brilliant cruiseHad an awesome day aboard the investigator today. Great boat and the entire crew were brilliant, so friendly and helpful and ensured our day was a success. So good in fact got to do 3 swims with a whale shark. Saw lots of humpback whales and turtles. Got to do 2 swims on the reef. The food was great and lots of it, truly a day to remember.
- 465teuns00Look no further!Everyone, Ningaloo Discovery is the company you are looking for between all the tour operators in Exmouth! Me and my friends did the Whaleshark swimming tour and it was one of the best days of our lives. The crew (Tash, Lauren, Liv, China and one other lovely member) were nothing short of amazing. They made everyone of all ages and fitness levels enjoy the day to their full potential, with great concern for every individual’s needs. They even asked for our opinions on what to do during the final part of the tour, to make sure we all got what we wanted and saw what we wanted to see. When an impressive animal was in sight, they immediately focused on getting us there (which succeeded every time on my tour). They even offer all this for a very competitive price, which is another plus. The food, beverages and gear provided were also great. In short, I would look no further and benefit from the great tours Ningaloo Discovery is offering!
- rebeccamX992MJ00Best day everFantastic experience, crew were nothing short of professional. Got to do 3 swims with a whale shark, worth every penny
- paulnT6973LI00Amazing Whaleshark ExperienceA fantastic whale shark swim experience with 2 different sharks and 4 swims. Great boat and crew and nice lunch. Thoroughly recommended.
- 893rodf00Swimming with the whalesWe had an amazing day in August with the team on board for the humpback whale tour, the team being so passionate about the environment that we were going into as well as the importance of finding the right pod of whales to ensure our safety. We were well looked after when we swam with the whales as well as the swims around the coral reefs in the morning and afternoon. We were so impressed we booked the sunset cruise with Ningaloo Discovery the following day.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
555 reviews
Excellent
542
Very good
5
Average
0
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Heather N
2 contributions
Jul 2020
I contacted the owner to provide feedback on our experience and was advised that my complaint would be investigated however, no further communication was received. I therefore find myself proving negative feedback on this site as I felt I had tried unsuccessfully to voice my concerns directly.. Myself and three other guests were extremely disappointed with the tour given that their other boat, and numerous other boats, got to experience orcas and manta rays that day. Friends travelling with another company said there were about 8 boats at the orca site. It did not provide value for money when compared to others. We only got one brief snorkel throughout the whole day. I also felt one of the guides was Inappropriate and not respectful of mature customers. This person did not appreciate the financial sacrifice made to do this trip. My husband injured himself trying to get back into the boat as guests were advised to use flippers to hoist themselves into the boat. As an inexperienced swimmer this was not possible and he tore his biceps in the process. Again, a reflection on the immaturity of the staff on not recognising the various skills of their guests. Yes, we were fortunate to see a whale shark but it came at a huge cost.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your phone call to provide feedback on your experience with our company. My apologies there was no further communication received, I was of the understanding that after our extensive phone conversation we had provided communication on your feedback and come to some form of resolution or understanding. As discussed over the phone you were booked on to a Whale shark tour and the priority for our crew and skipper on that tour was to find a whale shark for you to swim with. Where our pilot found a whale shark was the other end of the reef from where Orcas had been sighted and having 20 guests on the boat that wanted to swim with a whale shark and had booked on a whale shark tour we took our guests to swim with the whale shark. Once this had successfully been completed the skipper communicated with the other vessels and the pilot to find out if it was worth while taking our guests to where the Orcas had been seen and unfortunately at this stage they had left the area. I have checked the vessel log book and see there were several opportunities for our guests to swim with a whale shark on the date of your tour and our crew have said they offered all guests at least 3 opportunities to swim – I’m sorry if you only chose to enter the water once. Our skipper also asked our pilot to check if there were any manta rays still on the back of the reef and he could not locate any despite searching quite a distance.
In regards to our guide that you found to be inappropriate and disrespectful we have addressed your concerns with this guide. He has been a professional marine tourism guide for over 7 years now ( 2 years with us) and this is the first time he has received any feedback like this. We actually always receive positive feedback about this guide and I do apologise that you feel he was not respectful enough. He has taken your comments on board. Entering and exiting the water from a vessel in the ocean can be tricky. Our transom sits low to the water and most guests kick up onto it, however we also have 2 sturdy ladders on either side should they prefer to use this method. On the phone I asked if there was anything I could do for you to assist you in feeling you hadn't been let down by us and you simply said all you wanted to do was pass this feedback on. I am confident our crew acted with the majority of our guests best interest at heart on the date of your tour and I do apologise you felt you had a negative experience with us.
Written August 23, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jacob
Karratha, Australia19 contributions
Everything fell into place for us with a nice calm day and super clear visibility in the water making for a stunning day out. Overcast conditions proved to be great for water clarity and the snorkling at the start and end of the trip was amazing. We had an insane swim with a very playful whaleshark who circled us up close chasing our bubbles, even our guides were blown away. Not only did we get two swims with a Whaleshark, we also got to swim with a Mantaray and saw Humpback Whales, dolphins and other marine life from the boat. Huge thanks to the skipper Cam, our photographer Holli and the rest of the crew Chyna, Jordan & Jen for making an unreal day even better! The champagne at the end of the day really topped it off. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Written June 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there!
Thank you so much for leaving such an epic review! We really appreciate it! Whale Sharks, mantarays, dolphins AND humpbacks?! How awesome is that! It sounds like you had an amazing day out and that our crew took care of you! Don't forget to check out your free photos!
Warm Regards,
The Ningaloo Discovery Team
Written June 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maryline Porcher
Perth, Australia2 contributions
Jul 2020
One of the best experiences in our life, from the moment we were picked up to the moment we were dropped off, the whole crew looked after everyone, as soon as a whale shark was spotted , our skipper Cam raced to the spot to give us the best chance to swim with it, and , that was an amazing experience , we even went for a 2nd swim, that was a bonus. . The whole day was amazing, the snorkelling, turtles , humpback whales , false killer whales and thousands of fish . This year is our 40th wedding anniversary and we would like to thank Lorena ( amazing photos and great young lady), Jo Lee and Chyanna for their knowledge and friendliness, Cam for driving the boat like a champ and young Jack for looking after everything else , all the crew to make it a day to remember for ever. Thank you from Maryline and Christian
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Maryline & Christian,
Thank you for sending in such a lovely review!
We love our crew and its always great to hear the guests appreciating them too. Sounds like all the reef animals wanted to spoil you too out there!
Thank you for joining us out on the Ningaloo what a beautiful way to spend your anniversary!
Warm regards,
The Ningaloo Discovery Team
Written August 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jodybrat
Melbourne, Australia53 contributions
Call from the very first call I made to Ningaloo discovery to getting off the boat at the end of the day, these guys were absolute legends
we were early in the season so I called ahead before we booked to go up and the team are super helpful over the phone with no pressure to make any decisions then and there
booking was easy and it’s great that you have two options that you can do
An easy run out in the courtesy bus also gave us more of the history of Exmouth itself which we really appreciated.
all the crew were very knowledgeable helpful and fun to be around which really made the day out special for everyone.
we had a mix of guests from toddlers through to more mature (and less confident) swimmers and I’m totally confident that absolutely everybody had an amazing day
two swims with the sharks out of season was fantastic and two great reef snorkels as well as a lovely lunch, morning tea and a glass of bubbles to celebrate
The fact they give you the photos for free is wonderful
All around an amazing day!
we were early in the season so I called ahead before we booked to go up and the team are super helpful over the phone with no pressure to make any decisions then and there
booking was easy and it’s great that you have two options that you can do
An easy run out in the courtesy bus also gave us more of the history of Exmouth itself which we really appreciated.
all the crew were very knowledgeable helpful and fun to be around which really made the day out special for everyone.
we had a mix of guests from toddlers through to more mature (and less confident) swimmers and I’m totally confident that absolutely everybody had an amazing day
two swims with the sharks out of season was fantastic and two great reef snorkels as well as a lovely lunch, morning tea and a glass of bubbles to celebrate
The fact they give you the photos for free is wonderful
All around an amazing day!
Written March 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alaine B
Sydney, Australia41 contributions
Jun 2022
Ningaloo Discovery were an amazing crew to see whale sharks with, and I highly recommend them! Flo, Raz, Lexi, and Ash made sure everyone got in and out of the water efficiently to maximise our time swimming with the whale sharks, and were really clear about the dos and don'ts to keep the whale sharks safe. They provided amazing food for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, and were really respectful of every single person and what each person wanted to get out of the day. The boat is comfortable and well equipped, and we got to swim with the whale sharks 4 times as well as two other snorkels. One of the best tours I've ever done.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey!
Thank you so much for this lovely review and coming out with us!
We are so glad you had such an amazing day and we really do appreciate you following those do and don'ts to keep our beautiful whale sharks safe! Allowing people to experience swimming with these beautiful creatures while keeping them protected is something we are very passionate about.
We hope to see you out there with us again in the future.
Warm regards,
The Ningaloo Discovery Team
Written June 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jan C
29 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
What a wonderful day. We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the boat with a very interesting commentary on the way. After the safety talk we headed to a snorkelling spot for a quick snorkel to check all our gear was working ok. Back in the boat and within a very short time we were in the water swimming with at least 3 beautiful whale Sharks who decided to hang around for ages, which was so lucky for us all. We were served a delicious lunch as well as morning tea while coffee, tea, water or cordial was available all day. After our whale shark swim we motored to another snorkelling spot which was beautiful. A complimentary bubbly on board rounded off the day perfectly before heading back to shore and taken back to our hotel. The staff, Katia, Lily, Keira, Mitch and Jack were all amazing, whether it be taking photos of us all in the water, directing us to the best place to see the whale Sharks, helping anyone in the water who needed it, serving yummy morning teas or lunch, helping people back into the boat, just chatting and making everyone feel comfortable, steering the boat or being deckhand. All photos taken on the day were available for download within 48 hours. A truly wonderful experience!
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jan,
Thank you so much for your review!
So glad you had a wonderful day out with us =)
Don't forget to download your free photos.
Kind regards,
The Ningaloo Discovery team
Written July 28, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robyn C
Brisbane, Australia129 contributions
From beginning to end up the whole day was a very slick and professional operation with really helpful and informative staff who went the extra mile from Loren our swim guide to Lorna the photographer, Flo who hauled me back aboard and Chelsea and Mitch our Captain looking for the sharks. Always happy and helpful weight to swim with 3 different ones . A lifelong memory!
Written May 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Awesome to hear you had such a wonderful time out there on the reef!
Sounds like the crew did a great job looking after you too, and you got lucky with the sharks!
Don't forget to download your photos to keep re-living the day :)
Kind regards,
The Ningaloo Discovery Team
Written June 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Olivia R
2 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Myself and my partner went out on the boat with Steve and Cartier’s crew yesterday 10/03/21 and it was an absolute magic day!
To start it off the weather was perfect condition, and the crew then followed that up by giving us a memorable experience on board. Steve was very helpful in fitting me with the right snorkel set and mask to make my experience the best it could have been and Cartier was amazing and trying to get the best picture of us with the beautiful whale sharks we saw.
The whole team was knowledgeable and right there to help out with any issues and questions we had.
This was an experience we will remember for a long time with the wonderful weather, the stunning animals we got to see and the crew that made it a fun and relaxing day and would do it all again !!
Thanks team 😃 🐢 🐋 🦈 🐬😃
Olivia and Patrick xx
To start it off the weather was perfect condition, and the crew then followed that up by giving us a memorable experience on board. Steve was very helpful in fitting me with the right snorkel set and mask to make my experience the best it could have been and Cartier was amazing and trying to get the best picture of us with the beautiful whale sharks we saw.
The whole team was knowledgeable and right there to help out with any issues and questions we had.
This was an experience we will remember for a long time with the wonderful weather, the stunning animals we got to see and the crew that made it a fun and relaxing day and would do it all again !!
Thanks team 😃 🐢 🐋 🦈 🐬😃
Olivia and Patrick xx
Written March 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi guys!
Weeeehoooo we are so stoked you loved your day on board with us!
We will be sure to let Steve and Katia know what a wonderful job they are doing out there thanks so much for your thoughtful review! We love what we do and its always great to hear when guests have a fantastic time out there with us!
Make sure you download all your photos and enjoy your memories of you day out on the Ningaloo with us :)
Kind regards,
The Ningaloo Discovery Team
Written March 31, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Abigail C
1 contribution
Jul 2021
Swimming with the whale shark was an experience of a lifetime. Our instructors Lauren and Jen were very patient and encouraging. Our professional photographer Gypsie was so friendly and helpful. Our skipper Steve and deck hand Jack were very experienced and the whole team worked well together to give us good lasting memories. Their instructions were clear and the staff went out of their way to make sure all the people were looked after well. The food service was good. I got a bit sea sick half way through and Lauren and Jen kept checking on me and made sure I had water and packed me a sandwich for later. We were very lucky to see a lot of humpback whales on our tour with some exciting close encounters. Gypsie and Jen gave us a good history of Exmouth and the work/research being done to preserve our beautiful reef and wild life. Gypsie was very quick in downloading the photos she took of the tour group and all the staff were very confident in their job. Well done. Thanks from Andrea, Joanne and Abigail.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
Thanks for the review! We are so glad you enjoyed your day and thought that the tour ran smoothly. Sorry you got seasick, it sounds like you were well looked after :)
Kind regards,
The Team at Ningaloo Discovery
Written August 20, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
perthkat80
Perth, Australia14 contributions
May 2021
I was absolutely delighted with this tour. Our bus guide was well informed and provided interesting information on the area. The lunch was nice and the glass of bubbles was a great way to end the day. The snorkelling was wonderful too. But the main reason I was there was to see whale sharks and it was extraordinary and magical. Definitely one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced to swim next to one of these fabulous creatures multiple times. It was all very professional too, we jumped in, lined up and 'heads down' to find the animal swimming right in front of us. Katia our guide and photographer was super professional and her photos were next level outstanding. Gypsie and all the crew were lovely and very relaxed but professional. Thanks for facilitating a bucket list day for me! Michelle 16th May 2021 tour.
Written May 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for such a wonderfully thorough review! We love hearing how special each guests day was onboard with us and to see our crew get acknowledged for the great work they do!
We love what we do so thanks for joining us and we hope you enjoy going through those photos and sharing them with your friends and family.
Warm regards,
The Ningaloo Discovery Team
Written June 7, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
효준 박
Perth, Australia
Hello.
I’m HYOJUNPARK.
I just wondering how long take the whale tour?
And can i take a shower after tour?
Lyn D
20 contributions
Thw toue rubs from puck uo around 7.30am and gets back to drop off around 16.30
You can shower when you get back to your accommodation. Sometimes there is a warm water shower on the deck of the boat. This is an ocean tour so you are in and out of the water all day
Jo W
Brisbane, Australia42 contributions
Going in Mid May 2020... what’s the water temp then??
Solitude1557
Mandurah, Australia12 contributions
Water temp 23-24 deg Celsius which is perfect. Operator also supplied lightweight cotton jump suits which were more for UV and stinger protection and not for warmth.
KIN WA I
Macau, China1 contribution
What’s the water temperature?
The Immortal LEGO
1 contribution
When I did it, mid-April, you got a sting suit which is similar to a wetsuit and the thrill of chasing the shark keeps you warm. Until you get out. Then just get a towel.
Pascal de Bijl
Schijndel, The Netherlands4 contributions
Is (the beginning of) September a good period to swim with whale sharks?
Top rated
Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim on a Powerboat provided by Ningaloo Discovery
Product Overview: Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim on a Powerboat
Prices From | $304 |
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Number of Reviews | 555 |
Number of Photos | 315 |
Duration | 540 minutes |