Whale Shark Swim, Hotel Pickup
A Ningaloo Blue whale shark swim from Exmouth, six to seven hours on the water from $705 per person.
Check availability
Whale Shark Tours Exmouth: Real Ningaloo Swims, Seasons And Prices
Swim tours from Exmouth and Coral Bay, grouped by whale sharks, mantas and reef snorkelling.
- A$139lowest per-person from-price on the roster
- March to JulyMain season · Parks and Wildlife Service WA; Exmouth tours often run to August and sightings to October
- 10Swimmers per group · legislated maximum number of people in the water at one time around a whale shark
- 41,390Swims in 2025 · people who swam with whale sharks at Ningaloo, per Australia's Coral Coast; DBCA counted over 36,000 in 2022
Marine Eco Safari - Swim with Manta Rays
from A$350 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.
- Duration
- 7 hours (approx.)
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Coral Bay Ecotours
Whale Shark Tours Exmouth: Numbers To Know
60 minutes
Time in the water · maximum recreational swimming time with a whale shark, per the DBCA information guide
3 m and 4 m
Distance from the shark · at least 3 m from the head and body and 4 m from the tail; no touching, no flash
About 1,270 km
Perth to Exmouth · by road, around 13 hours; Qantas flies Perth to Learmonth in just under 2 hours
25 minutes
Learmonth airport to Exmouth · by road; about 1 hour 10 minutes south to Coral Bay
None
Marine park entry fee · Ningaloo Marine Park has no entry fee; Cape Range National Park charges $17 per standard vehicle
Whale Shark Tours Exmouth And Other Ningaloo Swims By Trip Type
Whale shark swims
Whale Shark Swim, Champagne Lunch
Coral Bay Ecotours runs this Whale Shark Safari over roughly 8 to 9 hours, from $745, with free cancellation and a DPaW park fee payable before departure.
Check availability
Nine-Hour Whale Shark Odyssey
Roughly nine hours with Ningaloo Marine Interactions, snorkelling with whale sharks from $700 per person.
Check availabilityHumpback and manta swims
Manta Swim, Lunch And Afternoon Tea
Seven hours with Coral Bay Ecotours, swimming with manta rays from $350 per person.
Check availability
Manta Day, Wetsuits And Photos
Ningaloo Marine Interactions focuses on mantas on this seven-hour trip from $350, rated 5 across 274 reviews.
Check availability
Full-Day Manta, Dive Or Snorkel
Ningaloo Reef Dive runs this Coral Bay manta trip over 7 to 7.5 hours, from $260, with free cancellation.
Check availabilityReef and snorkel tours
Turtle Snorkel, Wetsuits Extra
Cape Immersion Tours runs this turtle and reef snorkel from Exmouth, about three and a half hours, from $145.
Check availability
Six-Hour Boat Snorkel, Lunch
A Cape Immersion Tours snorkel and wildlife day from Exmouth, around six hours, from $275 per person.
Check availability
Guided Beach Snorkel, Turquoise Bay
A seven-hour guided reef snorkel from Exmouth with Exmouth Adventure Co, from $250.
Check availability
Snorkel Plus Yardie Creek Combo
Exmouth Adventure Co packs snorkelling and a Yardie Creek cruise into roughly eight hours, from $320.
Check availabilityNarrow The Whale Shark Tours Exmouth List To Your Day
Here is a starting shortlist, three of the best-reviewed tours. Answer a question or two to rebuild it around your day.
See the full tour lineup
Compare Every Whale Shark Tours Exmouth Option
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| Tour | Length | Meets | From | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manta Swim, Lunch And Afternoon TeaCoral Bay Ecotours | 7 hours (approx.) | Coral Bay | A$350 | ★ 4.8565 reviews | Check availability |
| Manta Day, Wetsuits And PhotosNingaloo Marine Interactions | 7 hours (approx.) | Coral Bay | A$350 | ★ 5.0274 reviews | Check availability |
| Whale Shark Swim, Hotel PickupNingaloo Blue | 6 to 7 hours (approx.) | Tantabiddi, Boat Ramp Area | A$705 | ★ 4.8219 reviews | Check availability |
| Turtle Snorkel, Wetsuits ExtraCape Immersion Tours | 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) | Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort | A$145 | ★ 4.8197 reviews | Check availability |
| Whale Shark Swim, Champagne LunchCoral Bay Ecotours | 8 to 9 hours (approx.) | Coral Bay | A$745 | ★ 4.8173 reviews | Check availability |
| Six-Hour Boat Snorkel, LunchCape Immersion Tours | 6 hours (approx.) | Exmouth Town | A$275 | ★ 4.9138 reviews | Check availability |
| Full-Day Manta, Dive Or SnorkelNingaloo Reef Dive (Coral Bay Dive Ventures) | 7 - 7.5 hours | Coral Bay | A$260 | ★ 4.8106 reviews | Check availability |
| Humpback Swim, Alcohol IncludedCoral Bay Ecotours | 8 hours (approx.) | Coral Bay | A$745 | ★ 5.087 reviews | Check availability |
| Guided Beach Snorkel, Turquoise BayExmouth Adventure Co. | 7 hours | Exmouth Town | A$250 | ★ 4.962 reviews | Check availability |
| Sunset Whale Watch, No SwimOcean Eco Adventures - Exmouth | 2.5 - 3 hours | Exmouth Game Fishing Club Jetty | A$139 | ★ 4.847 reviews | Check availability |
| Nine-Hour Whale Shark OdysseyNingaloo Marine Interactions | 9 hours (approx.) | Coral Bay | A$700 | ★ 5.023 reviews | Check availability |
| Luxury Manta Cruise, Gourmet LunchOcean Eco Adventures - Coral Bay | 7 hours | Coral Bay | A$600 | ★ 4.76 reviews | Check availability |
| Snorkel Plus Yardie Creek ComboExmouth Adventure Co | 8 hours (approx.) | Exmouth Town | A$320 | ★ 5.06 reviews | Check availability |
| Half-Day Manta, Spotter PlaneNingaloo Reef Dive (Coral Bay Dive Ventures) | 5 hours | Coral Bay | A$220 | ★ 5.04 reviews | Check availability |
| Nothing matches those filters. Clear the price or duration setting, or try another category, and all 14 Ningaloo tours come back. | |||||
Whale Shark Tours Exmouth Month By Month
Whale sharks
Humpback whales
Manta rays
- Reported or just starting
- Present
- Building or consistent
- Common or peak
- Not named
- This month
January
Whale sharks: Off season Humpback whales: None Manta rays: Coral Bay residents
February
Whale sharks: Off season Humpback whales: None Manta rays: Coral Bay residents
March
Whale sharks: Season opens (first 2026 swim about 12 March) Humpback whales: None Manta rays: Coral Bay residents
April
Whale sharks: Main season Humpback whales: None Manta rays: Coral Bay residents
May
Whale sharks: Main season Humpback whales: None Manta rays: Both towns from late May
June
Whale sharks: Main season, Coral Bay tours wind down Humpback whales: Passing through Manta rays: Both towns
July
Whale sharks: Main season (DBCA: March to July) Humpback whales: Swims from Coral Bay Manta rays: Both towns
August
Whale sharks: Exmouth tours still running Humpback whales: Swims from Exmouth and Coral Bay Manta rays: Both towns
September
Whale sharks: Possible, no guarantee Humpback whales: Swims from Exmouth and Coral Bay Manta rays: Both towns
October
Whale sharks: Possible, no guarantee Humpback whales: Swims from Exmouth and Coral Bay Manta rays: Both towns
November
Whale sharks: Rare (early November in 2024 and 2025) Humpback whales: Passing through Manta rays: Coral Bay residents
December
Whale sharks: Off season Humpback whales: None Manta rays: Coral Bay residents
See the full month table
| Month | Whale sharks | Humpback whales | Manta rays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Off season | None | Coral Bay residents |
| February | Off season | None | Coral Bay residents |
| March | Season opens (first 2026 swim about 12 March) | None | Coral Bay residents |
| April | Main season | None | Coral Bay residents |
| May | Main season | None | Both towns from late May |
| June | Main season, Coral Bay tours wind down | Passing through | Both towns |
| July | Main season (DBCA: March to July) | Swims from Coral Bay | Both towns |
| August | Exmouth tours still running | Swims from Exmouth and Coral Bay | Both towns |
| September | Possible, no guarantee | Swims from Exmouth and Coral Bay | Both towns |
| October | Possible, no guarantee | Swims from Exmouth and Coral Bay | Both towns |
| November | Rare (early November in 2024 and 2025) | Passing through | Coral Bay residents |
| December | Off season | None | Coral Bay residents |
Whale Shark Tours Exmouth Vs Coral Bay Departures
| Exmouth | Coral Bay | |
|---|---|---|
| Whale shark tour season | March to August on most tours, sightings often to October | March to the end of June on most tours |
| Humpback whale swims | From 1 August to October | From 1 July to October |
| Manta rays | Seen from late May | A resident population all year |
| Size and services | Larger town with the wider choice of hotels, restaurants and shops | Small beachfront village with caravan parks, resorts and basic services |
| From Learmonth airport | About 25 minutes by road | About 1 hour 10 minutes by road |
| From Perth by road | About 13 hours, around 1,270 km | About 12 hours |
| Distance between the two | About 150 km, 1.5 to 2 hours by road | About 150 km, 1.5 to 2 hours by road |
| Number of operators | Around a dozen permitted whale shark operators (Lonely Planet, August 2026) | A smaller number, led by Coral Bay Eco Tours |
Where Whale Shark Tours Exmouth Depart And Meet
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Map tiles and place names: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Departure Points
- Manta Swim, Lunch And Afternoon Teafrom A$350
- Manta Day, Wetsuits And Photosfrom A$350
- Exmouth TownDeparture Points
- Exmouth Game Fishing Club JettyDeparture Points · 2.5 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Mantarays Ningaloo Beach ResortDeparture Points · 2.5 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Tantabiddi, Boat Ramp AreaDeparture Points · 15 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Coral BayDeparture Points · 140 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Coral Bay Boat RampDeparture Points · 141 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Coral Bay BeachNature · 138 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Turquoise BayNature · 31 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Oyster StacksNature · 34 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Yardie CreekNature · 54 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Milyering Discovery CentreNature · 23 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Vlamingh Head LighthouseNature · 14 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Navy PierNature · 15 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Bundegi BeachNature · 13 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Learmonth Airport (Exmouth Airport)Gateway · 34 km from Exmouth Town in a straight line
- Ningaloo Centre and Exmouth Visitor CentreGateway · 680 m from Exmouth Town in a straight line
What Guests Say About Whale Shark Tours Exmouth
These reviews were written by travelers and published on each tour's own booking listing page, quoted as written. This site did not collect or edit them, and none comes from a study we ran.
“The enthusiasm of the staff to fulfill our day of swimming with the whale sharks.”
“The trip was amazing. Swimming multiple times with the manta ray was so fantastic. Swimming with sharks, turtle And do many beautiful fish as well.”
“A stella day out on the boat exploring the beautiful reefs around Exmouth. It was a super relaxed atmosphere with a small group.”
“Our guide Kim was very knowledgeable and helpful. I learnt so much about the reef and marine life, but also the area in general, wild life, vegetation and history. Saw an Osprey nest.”
Where To Stay For Whale Shark Tours Exmouth
Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort
Madaffari Drive, Exmouth, beside the Exmouth Marina
varies by date; check live rates on the booking page
Check rates
Exmouth Escape Resort
375 Murat Road, Exmouth
varies by date; check live rates on the booking page
Check rates
RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park
3 Truscott Crescent, Exmouth
varies by date; check live rates on the booking page
Check ratesWhale Shark Tours Exmouth: Questions Answered
When is whale shark season at Ningaloo Reef?
The whale shark season at Ningaloo Reef runs roughly from March or April through July or August, tied to the annual coral spawn that draws plankton, and the animals, close to the reef. Tours depart through that window from both Exmouth and Coral Bay.
What happens if no whale sharks appear?
No operator can promise a sighting, so whale shark tours typically carry a no-sighting policy offering either a free standby spot on a later trip or a partial refund once operating costs are covered. Terms differ between operators and between seasons, so read them on the live booking page before paying.
Which towns do the tours depart from?
Both Exmouth and Coral Bay are departure bases for tours on this roster. Exmouth sits near the northern end of Ningaloo Reef and hosts the Ningaloo Blue whale shark swim plus Exmouth Adventure Co snorkel trips.
How much is a whale shark swim?
The three whale shark swims here start between $700 and $745 per person. Ningaloo Marine Interactions begins at $700, Ningaloo Blue at $705, and the Coral Bay Ecotours Whale Shark Safari at $745 plus a DPaW park fee on top.
Is gear and food provided?
Most trips include snorkel gear, a wetsuit, lunch and boat transfers, and the whale shark boats use a spotter plane, but the mix varies by operator, so check inclusions on each listing. Note the Whale Shark Safari adds a DPaW park fee of $20 per adult and $10 per child, payable before departure rather than in the from-price.
What is the cancellation policy?
13 of the 14 tours on this roster carry free cancellation (the Ningaloo Blue listing states the sale is final), and the cutoff differs by trip, so confirm the window on the live booking page before locking in a date. Weather is the exception: operators will not run in unsafe conditions, and a weather cancellation normally means rebooking or a refund rather than a charge.
Ningaloo Guides And Answers
Guides
Best Whale Shark Tour
Cape Range Park
Coral Bay Guide
Exmouth Vs Coral Bay
Exmouth Weather
Getting To Exmouth
Humpback Whale Swims
Manta Ray Swims
Other Things To Do
Swim Rules
Swim Vs Dive
The Swim Day
Tour Guarantees
Turquoise Bay Snorkel
Whale Shark Photos
Whale Shark Safety
Whale Shark Season
What Is Ningaloo Reef?
Where To Stay
Answers
- Beach Swimming
- Best Place For Whale Sharks
- Best Place In Australia
- Best Whale Shark Month
- Booking Lead Time
- Crocodiles At Ningaloo
- Days In Exmouth
- Eco Or Main Season Tour
- Is Exmouth Worth It
- Kids And Whale Sharks
- Seasickness On Tour
- Sharks At Ningaloo
- Sharks In Exmouth Now
- Spotter Planes Explained
- Swimmer Ability
- Whale Shark Odds
- Whale Shark Packing List
- Whale Shark Swim Cost
- Worth It?