NINGALOO DISCOVERY
EXPERIENCE THE NINGALOO
WHALE SHARKS, HUMPBACK WHALES, SUNSET SAILS & SNORKEL TOURS
Swim with Whale Sharks
Ningaloo Discovery delivers an all-inclusive, ECO-certified experience, where you swim with whale sharks in Exmouth.
Swimming alongside these gentle giants is an unforgettable experience on its own, but the adventure doesn’t stop there!
On our award winning tours, you could even find yourself swimming alongside a majestic manta ray or interacting with a humpback whale. As you snorkel the renowned Ningaloo reef, you’ll encounter vibrant, tropical fish and corals. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled as the vessel makes way! You could spot a turtle, dolphin or dugong surfacing to say hello.
The 2025 SEASON is now available for bookings!
We recommend booking in advance as far as possible so you don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime experience!
Join us aboard a Luxury Catamaran or Powerboat for a once in a lifetime Whale Shark experience on the Beautiful, World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef, just off Exmouth!
Parks and Wildlife chose us to operate in the first ever in water Humpback Whale Interaction Tours conducted from the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Marine Park.
Check out our incredible range of snorkel tours, get a close up view of the stunning wildlife at Ningaloo Reef.
Enjoy a couple of hours coasting along under sail onboard our luxury stable 60ft sailing catamaran Windcheetah.
Humpback Whale Interaction Tours
NINGALOO HUMPBACK SWIM ON A SAILING CATAMARAN
August – November
It is Humpback Highway here on the Ningaloo Reef! Pods of humpback whales and their playful calves are sighted here daily. Ningaloo Discovery gives you the opportunity of a lifetime to experience swimming alongside these graceful mammals on our all inclusive, ECO certified Humpback Whale Swim Tours aboard our beautiful sailing catamaran.
Why Choose Ningaloo Discovery?
So you’re ready to take the plunge and swim with the biggest fish in the ocean… why book with us?
At Ningaloo Discovery, our Whale Shark License was awarded to us. That’s right, we didn’t buy the rights to provide you with this experience, we earned it!
Absolutely wonderful experience. Extremely professional and well run tour. All crew were knowledgeable, extremely helpful, courteous and friendly. Saw at least 3 whale sharks together with many other fish and the reef.Thanks for a great day.
The team at Discovery Ningaloo were incredible and went above and beyond to make this bucket list experience - swimming with the whale sharks - just that! Although the conditions weren’t perfect, they were and we cannot speak highly enough of Darcy, Rosa, Tash, Derek & Captain Ty. Special shout out to Darcy who was all smiles, even when dealing with sea sick kids. Thank you guys, what an incredible day we had!
Great crew - especially Tash, Rosa and Darcy. Derek worked very hard also. We were just really unlucky with the weather - far too choppy and rough. The first snorkel was beautiful and the first swim with the whaleshark was a decent view but over too soon and then once I got seasick - the rest of the day was pretty much over for me. The crew worked tirelessly despite the unfortunate windy weather and really took care of my mother which I truly appreciated. Food looked good but I couldn’t eat any of it once I felt unwell sadly and it was still very choppy at lunch time. The fruit at the end once in calmer water was exceptional though - thanks!Minor feedback - the boat ran out of tepid drinking water just after lunch and that can probably be avoided next time by stocking more than 15L of water for 25 people during approx 8 hours in the sun with ice ideally. I was dehydrated after being sick so that didn’t help.The photography seems to be variable based on other reviews but maybe that was the weather today. Suggest stagger the photographer with both groups? The final swim with the whaleshark I wasn’t up for so stayed on the boat and saw a nice outline from the surface. My sister went in for her best swim but sadly without the photographer so that might have been planned better as she was with the other group.Overall I can’t fault the crew or the company for the unfortunate weather but I was disappointed in my personal experience - anyway c’est la vie! I’m glad we did it and weather unpredictable so I guess I’ll just have to try again one day - with travel sickness tablets - and only in predicted perfect weather!
What an amazing day!You are very well looked after by the team all day and for me, a very novice snorkeler, the guides were amazing, my thanks to Darcy especially in the water and to Derek for getting me back on the boat… we had four snorkels with the whale sharks, they are truly majestic!To cap off an already wonderful day we relaxed with a glass of bubbly as we sailed back to shore.Truly amazing experience I will never forget!Thanks Ningaloo Discovery!
An absolute amazing experience! On our first day we didn’t see any whale sharks but still had the best time. Couldn’t believe we were able to rebook another day and on our second day got to swim with a whale shark 4 timesMassive shout out to Nicole and Sam for making us feel so welcome again on both tours.I would recommend this tour to anyone - the crew are so professional and make the day incredibly enjoyable.Thanks again!
Highly recommended. We had a wonderful and eventful day with a very professional crew from pick up at the campsite, to the reef, in the water and back again. We felt safe at all times and were specifically informed about every single step. The snorkeling at the beginning of the day was not only beautiful, but also a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the equipment. The absolute highlight were our four jumps into the water to watch whale sharks. It is simply fantastic and moving to see these large sea creatures swimming past with their elegance... an experience of a lifetime.
We had an amazing whale shark swim experience from the Wildcat catamaran. The team on board was great with great explanations, super guidance in the water and so helpful in everything. The team in the water and on board made sure that we could get a maximum of swimming along.Thanks to the team for making it a superb experience. Only can recommend that experience
Went on this today as a non snorker. Unfortunately didn't see whale Sharks from the boat but 4 were found for the snorkers. i I saw 3 turtles, wedgie shark(very rare) and 2 cow tail rays. Professional run outfit well worth the money. Captain Zak, Sam, Shannon, Grace and Nicole were excellent guides and gave lots of information
A day to remember! We were very impressed by the service, professionalism, knowledge and expertise of the crew. The day ran smoothly eith the team working together as a well oiled machine. We experienced four swims with the whale sharks and made lifetime memories. A special mention to Tilly who took time to share her knowledge about the reef and generally made us feel comfy to approach her with any need. Tash is in the right job and is masterful in what she does. The remainder of the crew were friendly, attentive and focused on their roles. A great experience. I would highly recommend this company!
The most amazing experience for our family, so lucky to have seen a cruisey whale shark that gave us an unbelievable time.The crew were just fabulous and did absolutely everything to make the day unforgettable.Special shout out to Grace who went above & beyond with our 2 children to ensure they were safe, but still amongst it all for the ultimate thrill of swimming next to these gentle giants.
Five stars to Ningaloo Discovery! And we wouldn't have been the easiest guests. They accomodated my coeliac eating and my son feeling miserable with an injury with ease.Three swims with two sharks is epic for their 2nd tour of the season. It was a rollercoaster of emotions day, and mesmerising bucket list experience to be in the water with these gentle giants. Thanks Caitlin for her informative talks, the attentive and professional crew in and out of the water. The catamaran is a luxurious and serene way to travel the Ningaloo. The 2nd group in the water appears to get less photography opportunity but that doesn't matter when you focus on the experience rather than the photos. We will be back again.
We did a tour with Nicole, Caitlyn, Liv, Derek and Jonah and we could not have asked for more. The crew were super, the whalesharks were compliant, and the weather was perfect.Thank you all for a fantastic day.
Amazing day! The crew was great, they are professional and really competent, everything is well explained, we had a beautiful time onboard. The souvenir photos are really incredible! We will never forget this amazing day!
We had a fantastic day with the crew at Ningaloo Discovery - they really went over and above to make sure everyone had a great day and we were able to have 3 swims with the whale sharks which was just spectacular! The team are very knowledgeable with the marine life as well as the history of Exmouth. Highly recommend you choose these guys for your whale shark adventure- they really were amazing!
We had a wonderful day with ningaloo discovery and got the chance to swim with the beautiful whalesharks. The team was great and did everything to make us feel safe! Had lots of fun and would definitely do it again☺️
Spent my birthday on the reef yesterday with the team. Fantastic experience 2 different whale sharks and a dugong with her calf.. Amazing!! A huge shout out to Rosa who looked after me and made sure my experience was fabulous when confidence was not great. Thank you
Had the best day with Ningaloo Discovery on board Wildcat!!Greeted by Capt Zac and the crew, Holly, Tilly, Sam, and Jonah, we knew it was going to be fantastic as these guys were awesome!!In not such perfect conditions , Zac kept us as comfortable as could be until the spotters found some whalesharks. We had 3 dives with these amazing creatures, and we were then fortunate enough to stumble upon a pod of Orcas on our return leg. Crew were amazing, food was delicious, boat was awesome, photos were unreal, and the day was one we certainly won't forget. If you are planning on a whaleshark tour, don't choose anyone else, go with Ningaloo Discovery!! 5 star rating is not enough!!
Best tour ever. Staff were very happy and helpful and kind too. Nicole and Caitlin were both excellent.
Absolutely incredible experience - loved it!!!The staff were fantastic - very fun, caring, helpful and professional.We were a little anxious beforehand wondering if it would be a bit scary. But the staff gave clear instructions and were very helpful, putting us at ease. And the whale sharks were so serene gliding through the water.So many inclusions - pick up, nice healthy lunch and snacks, and even all the photos!Cannot recommend Ningaloo Discovery Whale Sharks tours highly enough!
Couldn't speak more highly of the crew, they are very friendly and knowledgeable, but were also fantastic in helping me to juggle getting my 3 kids into the water, as my wife wasn't able to come.They were well organised with good clear instructions, nice lunch some champagne at the end. But the best part was even being the last tour for the season and with slim chance of seeing a whale shark, they still came through and we got to swim with 1!
I had an incredible experience on the whale shark tour! The team was not only highly knowledgeable but also super friendly and attentive to everyone’s needs. They made sure we were well-prepared and safe, providing all the necessary information about whale sharks and the ecosystem around us. The free photo package was an amazing bonus—I got beautiful, professional-quality photos to remember the day without any extra cost. I was amazed by how smoothly everything went and appreciated the respect shown toward the animals. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a memorable, safe, and educational encounter with these majestic creatures. Can’t wait to do it again!
We had the most incredible experience swimming with a whale shark and it was made even better by the fabulous crew! In particular, Caitlin was outstanding! She gave us lots of facts about whalesharks, the Ningaloo reef and all its wildlife and so much more, made us all feel super comfortable and prepared for the swim and took the most incredible photos that we now have to look back on fondly! Thank you so much, we will be recommending Ningaloo Discovery to everyone we meet!
We were a bit unlucky since the team couldn’t find any whale shark to swim with. But the day was still amazing, wonderful snorkels, we followed a beautiful humpback whale and her calf for almost an hour and … we were able to swim with a whole family of dolphins during the last snorkel just out of the reef. Crazy memories. A very warm and special thank you to the super friendly team 🙂
It does not worth to do the tour at this time of the year because you don’t see the whale shark
Quite possibly, THE best experience of my life. The crew were top-notch professionals, putting us on to the reef for snorkelling, then had the planes spotting the sharks for our dive. We were looked after with food and drinks all day. ☆☆☆☆☆
We did the sunset tour. It was lovely to sail around and check out some humpbacks. Josh was very helpful. A very relaxing way to have a drink and watch a beautiful sunset. Highly recommended
Great experience with awesome crew! We did an off season eco tour and still managed to find 2 whale sharks for 3 swims!! Good lunch, and afternoon refreshments to celebrate and finish off the day! Highly recommend. Note: free access to all professional taken photos on the day!
Absolutely worth it, such a great day staff are helpful and super friendly. Liv gives a great history lesson on the bus and professional photography included!
Exceeded expectations. Crew was very professional, friendly and did a great job at coordinating all divers with the whale sharks. Had 3 dives and saw 2 different whale sharks (out of peak season).
We had the most amazing day with Ningaloo Discovery. It was the shoulder season, so no guarantees BUT we were lucky enough to swim multiple times with the whale sharks. While that was the highlight, we also saw a massive manta ray, turtles, sharks and humpbacks with calves. Snorkelling, we were shown star fish, octopuses, multiple nudibranch and a great variety of fish and coral.However, it was the staff that made our trip something special. On the way out, Nicole gave an easy to hear and understand talk about the reef and the creatures within. That information was appreciated by all. The challenges, (and they were varied on our cruise) were dealt with calmly, efficiently and always with respect for the people involved. If you had a problem, it was addressed immediately and efficiently.The staff on the boat (sorry guys, can’t remember your names) were always on hand to help, and chatted easily with everyone, answering varied questions about life in and on the reef.I cannot recommend them enough.Margaret
We did the humback whales interaction tour. The crew was really amazing and motivated, and we were able to swim with whale sharks, but we were really looking to swim with humpback whales. Sadly, this was not possible what was really disappointing as the tour was quite expensive .We were 3 groups on the boat, and only one saw more than a shadow when seeing in the water.I do not think that this is the fault of the tour, but when you book a humpback whale tour, just realise that you may pay for "nothing."
The whale shark eco tour was 100% worth it! My gf and I went during shoulder season and we still managed to swim with 3 different whale sharks for 5 swims! We went on the catamaran and the fun little pull net was also really cool. Shoutout to the crew that day Caitlin (amazing pictures btw!), Derek, Holly, Mitch, and Rosa for making it an unforgettable experience!
This week I went on two excellent trips with Ningaloo Discovery. The first was a full day swimming with humpback whales tour which was great, because I achieved my dream of having a close encounter with a humpback mum and older calf! Also got to swim with a whale shark and snorkel the reef. The second trip was a sunset whale watching cruise and it was thrilling as we saw several humpback whales including one curious calf coming close to the boat. I would definitely recommend this company’s tours!
We had an amazing time today on Whale Shark Experience, the boat was great, the equipment great, all the staff were helpful, fun and knowledgeable and we still managed to see a whale shark in the shoulder season! Altogether one of the best things we have ever done!
We had the most amazing day swimming with a male whale shark! Our snorkelling was insane we were lucky enough to see a sting ray, a trutle and the most beautiful coral and fish! I would recommend the tour to everyone to do! The staff are so knowledgable and passionate about marine life we spent the day with Katelyn, Derek, Josh, Nat and Mitch who all provided us with so much information, they made us feel safe and made sure we didn't disturb the whale shark. 5 stars if I could do this tour every day I would!
We went to the whale shark tour on 15th September 2024. At first we were a bit hesitant to choose this company as it didn't offer any money back/rescheduling guarantee if we didn't see any whale shark. But after reading the comments on TripAdvisor and calling the company a few days earlier, we figured we had very high chances of actually having an interaction as they had spotted whale sharks everyday that week. And we made an excellent decision going with Ningaloo Discovery! The staff was amazing, we had two snorkeling sessions on the reef, 5 dives with 3 different whale sharks (never more than 10 people in the water), some good food on the catamaran and we even saw a few humpback whales and their calves. We also saw other boats around other whale sharks, so if you are hesitant and wondering if mid September still is a good time to see them, the answer is YES! We had an amazing day, thank you to Kaitlyn and the rest of the team for the great experience they gave us. 100% would recommend!
Congratulations to the team at Ningaloo discovery tours. What a wonderful day for our family group. The team made us feel welcome and completely safe at all times.Thanks Nicole for the extra care for us with limited swimming ability. We were able to have the full experience. Late in the season but fortunate enough to have 3 swims with the whale shark. Food was fresh and tasty catering to dietary requirements. If you are looking to book a day on the reef do yourself a favour and book with Ningaloo discovery.
Fantastic day out on the eco power boat. Josh was a great tour guide, and Tash took some amazing photos. I can’t remember the rest of the crews names, but they were all friendly and helpful and enabled us to have 5 swims with a whaleshark outside of peak season!
Our group had an absolutely sensational day with this friendly and enthusiastic crew. A highly professional operation that enabled us to find and swim securely with Manta Rays and two Whale Sharks. I was impressed with the quality of the food offered during the day and the fact that photos were included in the tour. We enjoyed our day so much with Ningaloo Discovery that we went on a sunset cruise with them, which I also highly recommend. Big thanks to Captain Dickie and his fantastic young crew for our two memorable experiences.
We went on the eco-tour catamaran and had the best day ever!! The tour was amazing from start fo finish. We got picked up from our campsite and taken to the catamaran by very helpful staff. The whole crew on board with us were incredible, they so knowledgeable and evidently passionate about their job. So a special thanks to Rosa, Tash, Lizzie, Toby and Aleya (sorry if I’ve spelt that wrong!). They made us feel at ease and confident to head into the water straight away. The spotter plane found a group of manta rays that we managed to spend about 20 minutes in the water with as they swam up and down and all around us - just incredible. It then wasn’t long before they had spotted a whale shark! The staff were very informative about how to safely swim with the whale shark which really reassured us. We jumped in and the whale shark swam straight past us, it was an absolutely amazing experience. We managed to get in with the whale shark twice which was so special and very lucky considering we went in the shoulder season (August). We had a lovely lunch, a glass of Prosecco and just all in all the best day ever! Oh and the photos taken by the photographer were just incredible - a beautiful way to remember our very special day. At the end of all the snorkelling the staff three out the cargo net for us to hold onto and glide along the back of the boat. We were too tired but it looked like great fun nonetheless. I recommend Ningaloo Discovery 100%, we had the best day ever and will never forget our experience. So thank you!
Fabulous: catamaran tour was the best choice! Swam 5 times with whale sharks, staff was adorable, food was great and we even had a glass of bubbles at the end of the day!Thanks a lot to the whole team for the memorable day.
One less experience in my bucket list and I’m glad that I choose Ningaloo experience. First of all the good reviews speak loud, second of all I will be another person that will leave another 5 stars review. The booking online is very easy and simple: you can choose which experience suits you better otherwise you can visit the kindly girl at their office. They offer a pick up and drop off location at designated camping, but you can choose to met them at the port. The staff will give you the wet suit and the other accessories. After a quick and easy briefing you will jump in the water for your first swimming. After that.. I will let you discover it by yourself! You won’t regret it. The whales sharks and the others sea animals that you will find along the day, they will make your day! Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea were good.
My friend and I just had the best day swimming with whale sharks with Ningaloo Discovery. The all female crew were all absolutely incredible; so kind, welcoming and really knowledgeable about the reef/sharks. We were kept well fed and watered with a buffet lunch and snacks inbetween. The patience and determination of the crew to ensure we got to see and swim with the shark should not be understated. They really are top notch and it wouldn't have been the same day without them. Would 100% recommend to anyone. Thanks again!
The tour was amazing. Very knowledgeable guides and well organised tour!
Perfect experience - they kindly moved me out by a day due to my son not feeling well. So only I made it, and given being a non swimmer the crew - Gloria Holly Kristy and China (the skipper) they all did everything to have a great experience of swimming with a whale shark. Highly highly recommended
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!
Had some trepidation about using this company as they weren’t so visible on various web searches & research we did in Exmouth. Can forget that now. We had one of the best experiences of our lap with this team. The 4 girls (Liz, Kelsey, Holly & Claudia) were incredible hosts & the whole family had a blast. Not only did we swim with whale sharks but food & transfers were also excellent. Can’t recommend highly enough. Many thanks!
Today we had the absolute pleasure of touring with Ningaloo Discovery. It was very clear that the crew love what they do and their enthusiasm was contagious! We were able to swim with the only whale shark around on the day and enjoyed the beautiful food and a cheeky glass of bubbles before being returned to our accommodation. Would highly recommend this crew as they were fun, professional and just super great to have around. 5/5 experience for us, THANKS LEGENDS!!!!!
The most amazing day.We were late in the season so only got one swim with a whale shark but it was one to remember!The staff tried super hard to get us a second swim unfortunately it didn’t happen but we still had the best time!Saw so many hump back whales and even a southern right whale.Would definitely recommend this tour company, the staff were super passionate and knowledgeable!
Ningaloo Discovery is a great whale shark tour operator, respecting the marine encounter guidelines and rules. The briefings were detailed for the beginners, but still succinct for the more experienced.All the staff were thoughtful, kind, and passionate about their craft. Each worked together to make for a really enjoyable day on the water. The photos shared were also of excellent quality with the photographer working hard to ensure we all got our photo with a whale shark (at least all who attempted to keep up with the animal).The Marlin board also had a ladder for those who needed a different mode of water exit which was great as upper body strength waned throughout the day.Highly recommend
Ningaloo Sunset Sail Tours
Come aboard our stunning 60ft luxury sailing Catamaran in the late afternoon glow of the Exmouth Gulf!
Join us for a spectacular sundowner! Enjoy a couple of hours viewing marine life, whale watching (in season) and coasting along under sail on board our luxury stable 60ft sailing catamaran Windcheetah. Our professional, friendly, qualified crew will take you for a memorable experience.
Ningaloo Overnight Live-Aboards
Think it can’t possibly get any better than a day spent swimming with Whale Sharks, maybe Manta Rays and hundreds of tropical fish in the warm clear waters of the Ningaloo Reef? How about topping it off by staying the night on the reef?!
Whale Shark Swim & Eco Tour on a Sailing Catamaran
Our Eco Tours which run from August to October guests will have the opportunity to swim with the whale sharks during the shoulder season, when sighted by our spotter plane.
Private Charters & Custom Tours
If Exmouth is just one stop on your travels around Australia, why not plan in advance by checking out some of our favourite tours around the country?
Ningaloo Reef Eco Wildlife Tours
September – November 2023
The Coral Coast of Western Australia is home to an abundance of unique wildlife, full of national parks and reefs ready to be explored all year round. During the whale shark shoulder season (September to November), Ningaloo Discovery operates ECO Wildlife Tours around the Ningaloo Reef, allowing guests to experience the beauty of the reef and all it has to offer each day.
Ningaloo Islands & Exmouth Snorkel Tours
Murion Islands Snorkel Tours
Get ready to board our NAIAD – headed to The Muiron Islands. A half hour trip in our extremely fast and comfortable 4WD of the ocean, exploring the Ningaloo Murion Islands on a Snorkel Tour in Exmouth.
