Exmouth is a charming little town in Western Australia, approximately two and a half hours flight from Perth. If you’re in town between March and August, you must definitely swim with whale sharks Exmouth. Not in a chamber, hooked up to a scuba diving tank, or peering through the bottom of a glass-bottomed boat. We mean, swim alongside them using only a snorkel and flippers. Are you curious? Here are the detailed responses to the most frequently asked questions about Exmouth whale season.
Why Is Swimming With A Whale Shark A Fun Experience?
Nothing beats swimming with whale sharks Exmouth for a pure adrenaline rush in the deep blue sea. With the exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience of a whale shark swimming, you can get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures in complete safety and memorable style. This is a bucket-list-worthy experience that will leave you with memories to cherish for years to come.
Why Is Exmouth Popular Among Whale Sharks?
Exmouth’s heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s top destination for whale shark diving, snorkelling, and swimming. Whale shark diving tours are offered by providers, so you can easily find the right experience for you online. Ningaloo, located on the perpetually sunny northwest coast of Western Australia, offers the rare chance for adventure seekers to discover themselves floating in an underwater wonderland.
Dugongs, tropical fish, manta rays, and turtles abound in this coral paradise’s clear, warm waterways. Your tour captain will whisk you away to the action, where you can dip below for one of the most elevated marine-life encounters available.
Why Would You Swim With Whale Sharks Exmouth?
Whale sharks are often seen at Ningaloo Reef in Exmouth, and if you go at the right time, you will almost certainly see one. Exmouth whale season comes every year between March and July to take full advantage of the spawning coral, which attracts the delicious plankton they crave. They can dig deep to about 2,000 feet, but they feed at the surface, so all you need to join them is a snorkel, mask, and fins. There is no need for scuba diving equipment, and most tour operators will accept swimmers of all skills.
Whale sharks are recognised to be gentle with divers, so we encourage you to get up close and personal with them in their natural habitat. It’s a very humbling experience that allows you to reflect on your place in the world while also marvelling at Mother Nature.
Is It Safe To Swim With Whale Sharks?
Swimming with the world’s largest fish may appear to be a daunting task, but the whale shark’s massive size belies its gentle nature. Whale sharks feed only on tiny microorganisms and are sensitive to the presence of submerged human observers. Swimming with whale sharks is done in complete safety and to the highest professional standards.
Ningaloo Reef tour operators are all doing their part to protect this mighty fish. Most have a no-touch policy, with the goal of minimising wildlife disturbance through safe anchoring. They place a strong emphasis on traveller education and whale shark interaction training.
Yes, it is safe for you as well. Do your homework before signing up for a tour, but they all have highly trained staff who will give you the lowdown before allowing you to swim with a whale shark. Some businesses have been doing this for over 20 years and know what to expect. Most will have wetsuits, snorkels, fins, and flotation devices available for borrowing, and they will be able to help you feel confident in the water regardless of your age or swimming capacity.
Can You Swim Right Up To Them?
That’s a definite no. There are strict guidelines regarding how close you can get to the whale sharks. You must keep at least three metres away from the whale shark and four metres away from its tail at all times (this is also for your security). Touching a whale shark can cause undue stress, causing them to dive into deeper waters and ruining the experience for everyone.
You must adhere to the three-metre rule to ensure that the fish is not stressed and that you are not interfering with its natural swimming behaviour. Three metres is still quite close.
Is It Possible To Get Seasick?
You’re going to want to suck it up this time. You’ll be encouraged to get in the water whenever possible, no matter how bad you’re feeling. These guys want you to have the best time possible, and it’s amazing how quickly you recover once you hit the refreshing water.
Stop looking through cameras and scopes too much and instead concentrate on the horizon. Drink water and try to keep your body temperature low. Staying in your cabin will only make you feel worse because you’ll be trapped in a warm, confined space.
Take Away
If you’ve always wanted to swim with whale sharks Exmouth, you might be interested in this ultimate adrenaline rush. With caged dives at the aquarium or open water experiences, you can get up close and personal with the most feared creature in the water.
Bring a bathing suit, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for your whale-shark swimming adventure. If you have any medical conditions, please let us know when you book your whale shark swim tour online. Participants must have basic swimming skills, and a swimming adult must accompany swimming kids at all times.
