Ningaloo Reef – Swimming with Whale Sharks and Manta Rays

Swimming with whale sharks had been on the monkey bucket list for many years.  Having tried twice before and failed both times (by only a day or two), this trip was planned with military precision to give us the best chance.  We missed them in the past because they left Ningaloo early in the season, so this time we did not make the same mistake.

The day started relatively early with a 7.15am pickup from Exmouth in a small bus by Ningaloo Blue who are the most experienced whale shark operator in the Exmouth region.  Ningaloo Blue have a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence award and are a Certified Eco Tourism Business.  They are accredited by the Tourism Council of Western Australia, so their tours adhere to best practice and standards for environmentally responsible tourism which meant they were are good choice for us.

Once on board, we donned snorkelling gear and stinger suits, and headed to the outer reef.  All safety aspects for us and the marine life on the reef was covered on the way, which was just as well as our first whale shark seemed to be waiting for us as soon as we reached the outer waters!! 

That first entry into the water I was not sure if I was going to hyperventilate or pee my pants I was so excited.  However, as soon as I saw this majestic beast underwater all that disappeared to be overpowered by an inner calm and peace.  This first gentle giant was such a chilled out guy, languidly swimming slow enough for everyone to admire him fully.  His white dots appeared to have been painted with dabs from a brush and his stripes formed such intricate patterns they were breath-taking. Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean and can grow to 18m long and weigh up to 15 tonne.  They have recently been upgraded from a vulnerable to endangered species with numbers having halved in the last 75 years, so swimming with one fills you a sense of awe, wonder and responsibility.  

Luckily we were in two groups, as we would only just have time to catch our breath and jump back on-board the boat, before we would switch and be swimming with ‘our guy’ again.  (85% of the whale sharks in Ningaloo are young males).  We did leave our guy in piece after a number of swims with him, all totally stoked and excited.  However the day had just begun…. Over the rest of the day we swam with 4 more whale sharks and had 2 manta ray encounters to boot. 

The strategy for mantas was completely different to the whale sharks.  If you stay still in the water without splashing the mantas will come to you which is exactly what happened.  It is hard to describe the surreal feeling of 6 manta rays heading toward you in a line formation like a choreographed dance, gently beating their wings and peeling off and back around so graceful and effortlessly.  I did have goose bumps and a lump in my chest at the sheer beauty of the experience but still struggle with words to describe it.

All up the whole day felt like a privilege and an honour.  Mother Nature, the Ningaloo Reef, whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, tiger sharks – the whole environment blows this monkey’s mind!!

What we really liked:

• Friendly knowledgeable staff who are all passionate about the Ningaloo Reef and the amazing life it supports
• Details to safety – fully covered when first on the boat, comprehensive details when swimming with the whale sharks and manta rays and roll calls whenever we got back on the boat.  Also a safety zodiac in the water at all times
• Delicious food all day long, morning and afternoon tea, gourmet buffet lunch and access to drinks and biscuits all day plus Champaign with strawberries to celebrate at the end!
• Videographer on board so you can concentrate solely on the experience and have amazing footage and photos to remember your trip  

Ningaloo Blue Charters: www.ningalooblue.com.au

Video And Photos: www.bluemediaexmouth.com