Swim with the world’s largest fish – the whale shark – at Ningaloo Marine Park.
Every year from late March to June, the magnificent whale sharks migrate to the warm waters of the Ningaloo Marine Park.
The whale shark is listed as a vulnerable species and prior to 1985, there were less than 350 confirmed reports of whale sharks worldwide. Since then, however, their recorded annual migratory appearance at Ningaloo Marine Park has helped researchers to find out more about this incredible species.
The harmless whale shark is one of only three filter feeding sharks, feeding on minute organisms such as krill, crab larvae and jellyfish. The shark sieves prey as small as one millimetre via fine mesh gill-rakers. It can grow up to 18 metres in length.
Ningaloo Reef is one of the few places in the world where whale sharks are known to annually visit in order to feed. The unique environment created by the reef provides visitors with easy access to observe the phenomenon. Whale shark tours are available daily from Exmouth and Coral Bay, providing snorkellers with the rare opportunity to experience the ultimate wildlife encounter.
The annual Whale Shark Festival is held during May in Exmouth.
Location: Ningaloo Marine Park is located on the western side of the Cape Range Peninsula and is 1,200 kilometres north of Perth, or 105 kilometres south west of Exmouth, via Learmonth.
Australia’s Coral Coast
Exmouth Visitor Centre