Our air-conditioned bus will collect you straight from your doorstep where you’ll be greeted by our fantastic crew members and welcomed on your journey of a lifetime! Listen in or chill out during the drive down the coast as we’ll be telling you all about what your about to experience and sharing some fabulous facts about the local area.

Get ready to board our super stable, fast and comfortable 60ft sailing catamaran. Being a large catamaran she is extremely stable and so a very good choice for those slightly prone to motion sickness, with several different areas for viewing wildlife, entering the water and generally just hanging out, WINDCHEETAH is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your day ( not to take away from the star of the show….The Whale Shark!) Meet the rest of your crew for the day and set off in comfort. We’ll take exceptional care of you, fit you for your fins, masks and wetsuits and ensure everybody is 100% at ease, feeling confident and excited!

Warm up by dropping into one of the most beautiful reefs in the world at our first snorkel site and discover an abundance of coral, tropical fish, turtles and potentially even manta rays or dugongs. Our guides will be right there with you in the water to steer you in the right direction, and to pay special attention to any modest swimmers. Feel free to grab one of our floating noodles should you feel like the extra bit of flotation.

While you’re busy exploring the reef, the spotter plane has already departed and is searching for our first Whale Shark cruising nearby.

Seen something that your curious about? Ask our guides! All of our crew-members have a passion for the ocean (it’s their life!) and are your knowledge bank for all things aquatic – many even have marine science backgrounds.

When a Whale Shark has been spotted, it’s all systems go! The skipper heads the boat towards the Whale Shark’s location. There’s a buzz in the air, the excitement and anticipation mount amongst crew and passengers alike. You will then be split into two groups and prepare for your jump into the crystal clear waters of the Ningaloo…

You and your guide drop in and get up close and personal to the worlds biggest fish, this is your chance to experience wonder and marvel at the sheer size, grace and elegance of the biggest fish in the world. Most of these sharks are between 4 and 12 metres long but have been know to grow as large as 18 metres!

Our professional on board photographer is all the while capturing every moment in the water, and above the water from the very best angle for you to take home at no extra cost.

It’s likely that this won’t be your only shark, the pilot has been busy searching for another gentle giant to swim with, and on his call get ready to do it all again… And again!

It’s hungry work, don’t we know it! We’ve already got lunch on the way as we sail back in to look for Manta Rays, Dugongs and even Humpback Whales (when in season). If you don’t have the energy for more activities recline in our famous cargo net for a refreshing tow through the crystal clear waters of the lagoon as we sail back in towards Tantabiddi.

To celebrate a truely magnificent day, kick back and enjoy with a glass of sparkling and a seasonal fruit platter while we set the sails and listen to the sounds of the water aginst the hull as we make our way back to the mainland. Wrap things up with a comfortable cruise right back to the front of your accommodation. You’ll walk away wondering how you didn’t do it all sooner!

Still want to join our tour but don’t want to swim with a Whale Shark? Join us as an observer! You can take part in all of the activities – including swimming with Manta Rays should we spot them – The only difference is you will be observing the Whale Sharks from the vessel and not physically in the water with them ( perfect for those that want a bit of adventure but are not quite ready to take the plunge with the biggest fish in the sea just yet!)

TRIP INCLUDES

• Whale Shark Swim on our luxurious sailing catamaran
• Full day tour, 7:45am – 3 to 4pm approximately
• Complimentary bus transfers from your accommodation in Exmouth to the boat ramp and return. 
• Experienced, professional award winning crew on board and supporting you in the water as much as you need. Interesting informative spiels about the area and the marine life will keep you entertained too.
• Spotter aircraft to ensure best possible opportunity of sighting and swimming with Whale Sharks
• Maximum of 10 swimmers in each group, and never more than 20 swimmers on board on any given day
• In water experiences with a Whale Shark
• Snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef
• Quality snorkel equipment including mask, snorkel, fins of all sizes
• Wetsuits of all sizes
• Flotation aids available on board if required
• Marine specialists onboard to answer all your questions and guide you
• Opportunity to assist with hoisting the sails or relaxing on the bow nets, daybeds or bean bags
• Yummy Morning Tea, Buffet Lunch and Afternoon Tea provided, we can cater to dietary needs
• Sunscreen, water, dry area for your belongings and shade on board
• Boom net for towing along behind the vessel through the shallows of the lagoon (weather and time permitting)
• Celebratory glass of sparkling wine
• A discount on future tours 
• All government fees and charges included in the price!
• Complimentary Professional Photography Package of the day. Thats right, ALL THE PHOTOS FOR FREE!
• Please note: 2% transaction fee applies to credit card payments
• Comprehensive No sighting policy **

Not sure if this tour is right for you?

We want every guest to have a safe and enjoyable experience on our Whale Shark and Humpback Whale Tours. These tours take place in open ocean conditions and do require a certain level of confidence and independence in the water. To help you decide if this experience is suitable for you, please review the key points below.

What to expect on the day

• You’ll board a small tender at the jetty. Depending on the tide there could be a few deeper steps so reasonable balance and mobility are important. Our crew will assist, but guests need to be steady on their feet.
• A short transfer from the tender to the main vessel follows prior to guests disembarking the tender onto the main vessel.
• When it’s time to swim, you’ll enter deep, open water from the back of the boat beyond the fringing reef. Conditions can range from calm to choppy, and the boat will not be anchored and therefore moving about to some degree (depending on conditions on the day).
• Swimming with the whale shark involves snorkelling for at least several minutes at a time and requires moderate fitness. Often guests do need to swim along with the Whale Shark to keep up with it.
• Climbing back onto the vessel involves a small ladder, or using upper body strength to push up onto a marlin board at water level on a moving platform and can be physically demanding with certain injuries.
• Guests usually have multiple opportunities to swim, with rest breaks in between. You can always sit out a swim if needed.
• Our in-water crew support all swimmers, but with up to 10 guests in a group, one-on-one assistance is not always possible. Guests must be comfortable swimming independently in the ocean.

Minimum ability requirements

To participate in the whale shark swims, guests must:

• be able to swim confidently and independently in deep water
• be comfortable wearing a mask, snorkel, and fins
• be able to climb a short ladder, or kick up onto the transom back onto the vessel
• have a general level of mobility and balance when boarding tenders and moving around the boat

Flotation aids (such as pool noodles or life jackets) can help with comfort, but they may keep you higher in the water and can slow your movement, which may limit your experience during the whale shark swims. They are not a substitute for being able to swim confidently and independently.

Environmental considerations

Ocean conditions vary from day to day. At times the water may be choppy, and moving around the vessel or swimming back to the boat may require extra effort. Your safety is our priority, and our crew will always provide clear instructions and guidance.

Health & fitness considerations

Before booking, please consider whether you have:

• heart or lung conditions affecting exertion
• difficulty with moderate exercise

• back, joint, or mobility issues that affect climbing  ladders
• medical conditions such as seizures, fainting, or significant head injuries
• medications that may impact stamina or balance

If any apply, we recommend speaking with your doctor and contacting us to discuss your situation.

Need help deciding?

If you’re unsure whether the Whale Shark Tour is suitable for you, please contact our friendly office team. We’re happy to discuss your comfort level, fitness, and any concerns to help you make the best decision for your experience.