Face to Face with the Biggest Fish in the Sea: The Kings Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim
Review by Melina, 26 July 2026.
Swimming alongside a whale shark is a Dream once in a lifetime experience, and Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours turned my dream into reality. A boat, a spotter plane, in-water guides and a photographer take care of the hard parts, so all you have to do is jump in. On our trip there were five chances to swim with whale sharks, a first snorkel with manta rays and a humpback whale sighting over lunch. In 2027 the whale shark swim season runs from 28 March to 31 July.
Kings Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim: key details
- Tour: Kings Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim, run by Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours
- Region: Australia's Coral Coast (Exmouth and Ningaloo)
- Pickup: From 7:30am from your Exmouth accommodation (our last pickup, at Potshot Hotel, was about a 30-minute drive to the jetty)
- Finishes: Drop-off at your accommodation between about 3:30pm and 4:00pm
- Includes: Wetsuit and snorkel equipment, morning tea, lunch, a photographer with photos at no extra charge, floaties and in-water guides
- Transport: Air-conditioned transport to the jetty, then a large boat with a bathroom and kitchen on board
- Best for: All ages with some swimming ability
- What to bring: Sunscreen and a bathing suit. Everything else is provided
- Book: Book through the WA Visitor Centre
How the day unfolds
- 7:30am, pickup: Guests are collected from their Exmouth accommodation and driven to the jetty.
- 8:00-9:00am, on the boat: Morning tea, fitting for your snorkel and wetsuit equipment, and a briefing for the day.
- 9:00am, first snorkel: The first snorkel of the day, after a safety briefing. We were luck enough to see plenty of Manta Rays!
- 10:00-10:30am, spotter plane: A spotter plane searches for whale sharks.
- 11:00am-1:30pm, whale shark swims: Once a shark is found, you jump in, swim, climb out and the boat moves to the next one. We had five chances to get in the water.
- 1:30-3:00pm, lunch and humpback watching: Lunch, photos on board and humpback whale watching.
- 3:30-4:00pm, back to town: Drop-off at your accommodation.
What to expect in the water
Some swimming ability is needed, but the experience is relatively easy for all abilities. Floaties are available, and the in-water guides are there to help. On our trip the guides helped older guests in and out of the water and towed some guests along on floaties when needed. A photographer is on board and in the water, so you don't have to worry about taking your own photos.
What I loved
- The crew. The staff on board were knowledgeable and passionate, clearly loved their jobs and the ocean, and were always happy to answer questions about what we saw.
- The equipment. The wetsuits and snorkels were great quality, and the boat was huge.
- The lunch. The lunch selection went far beyond my expectations, with plenty of options for all dietary requirements.
- Looking after everyone. The crew shared useful tips and tricks for avoiding sea sickness and took extra care of guests who were feeling it.
- The keepsakes. I received a certificate with my name saying I had officially swum with the biggest fish in the sea, and a whale shark tote bag.
Good to know before you book
- Photos from the on-board photographer are included, at no extra charge
- All food is provided, so you don't need to bring any
- Wetsuits, snorkels and floaties are provided
- It is a premium experience, and I felt it was good value for the quality of the food, equipment and crew
- The whale shark swim season in 2027 runs from 28 March to 31 July. From August to September, Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours runs an Eco Sealife tour, which may see whale sharks or humpback whales
The short version
With a spotter plane overhead, a skilled crew, great equipment and a big lunch spread, the Kings Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim is a great way to get in the water with the biggest fish in the sea, whether you're an experienced swimmer or a nervous one.
This review was written by the WA Visitor Centre team after taking the tour. See more Staff Reviews | Book the Kings Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim