Overview
Your Day
What's Included
What Should I Bring?
Overview
Whale Sharks are frequent visitors to the Ningaloo Reef, even after the official Whale Shark season is over. This year we are extending our Eco Tours into the summer months to see just how long they stick around for!
This means that on board our Summer Eco (Whale Shark) Tours which run from November to December, whilst we can’t guarantee any Whale Shark swims, guests will have the opportunity to swim with the one if sighted by our spotter plane. The summer is also when large numbers of turtles come to the Ningaloo to breed and lay their eggs, so we will be on the look out for them too!
We will set off early to try and get the best of the day before the sea breeze comes in, to explore the sheltered lagoon and its countless snorkeling sites home to a whole host of beautiful corals, tropical reef fish, turtles, rays and dolphins. We will send our pilot up for a couple of hours to check if there are any Whale Sharks around and venture out onto the back of the reef to have a swim if one pops up.
We offer guests the most stable and comfortable viewing platforms to view and interact with this wildlife from the decks of our 60ft luxuriously appointed sailing catamaran. Join us for a day out on “Windcheetah” as we set sail through the shallow turquoise lagoons and along the back of the stunning Ningaloo Reef whilst stopping to take advantage of whatever spectacular wildlife comes our way.
Your day includes the opportunity to snorkel the reef, spot turtles, dolphins and mantas. If the opportunity presents itself to swim with a Whale Shark the option is there to upgrade onboard on the day for an additional “Whale Shark Swim Fee” of $50 cash per person. We also might encounter the curious and interactive Manta Rays and do our best to get you in for a swim with these inquisitive and majestic creatures at no extra charge.
Weather and time permitting try your hand at one of our Stand Up paddle Boards or a kayak during the afternoon snorkel for a different view of the reef.
Your Day
Our amazing itinerary for the day:
– Starting from 7:00am, you will be picked up from your accommodation and taken out to the Windcheetah sailing catamaran where you will be greeted by our friendly crew and fitted with masks, snorkels, fins and wetsuits.
– Moments later immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters of Ningaloo Reef at one of our beautiful snorkel spots in the sheltered lagoon. Here you will see an array of corals and colourful fish, sometimes even turtles and rays! Take this time to ask questions, get snorkelling tips, make sure your gear fits and practice getting on and off the boat before swimming with any marine life.
– Now you can enjoy morning tea as our plane gets searching for any marine life in the area, anything the pilot finds, we will get you up close with the boat to observe. If Whale Shark is spotted the pilot, skipper and crew will asses the conditions and if deemed suitable, guests wishing to purchase an upgrade will be directed to put their snorkel gear on and we will do our best to get you interacting with them in the water! All guests will be invited to swim with a Manta Ray if we find one at no charge.
– Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch as we cruise the reef in search of any other wildlife that may be around on the day.
– Now we head back inside the lagoon where the water is turquoise blue and anchor up at a new special spot on the reef for another snorkel. Weather and time permitting try your hand at one of our Stand Up Paddle Boards or a Glass Bottom Kayak during the afternoon snorkel for a different view of the reef.
– The experience lives on as we will provide you will all the photos of the day taken by our professional photographer free of charge!!!
What's Included
Tour Includes
- Full day tour, from 7:00am (usually back around 2.00pm)
- 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 marine life such as Whale Sharks and Manta Rays!
- Small groups when swimming with marine life to ensure everyone gets a great experience
- Opportunity to swim with Whale Shark and/or Humpback Whale on the day if we locate them. The government ” Whale Shark Swim Fee” is just an extra $50 cash per person, not per animal!
- No charge to swim with Manta Rays if we encounter them!
- Snorkeling on the Ningaloo Reef
- Quality snorkel equipment including mask, snorkel, fins of all sizes
- Wetsuits of all sizes
- Flotation aids and life jackets 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
- Stand up paddle boards and kayaks for use in afternoon snorkel (weather and time permitting)
- Yummy Morning Tea, Buffet Lunch 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)
- Complimentary Professional Photography Package of the day. That’s right, ALL THE PHOTOS FOR FREE!
- Please note: 2% transaction fee applies to credit card payments
What Should I Bring?
What should I bring?
We provide so much that all we recommend you bring is the following:
- Your excitement and positivity!
- Swimwear
- Hat
- Towel
- Warm clothes for after snorkeling
- Sea sickness medication if you feel like you may need it
