Live Ningaloo

Dreaming of swimming with the world’s largest living sharks in the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef? Our Swim with Whale Sharks day tour is for you.

Join us and have the unmatched experience of safely snorkeling and swimming beside these gentle giants in an amazing natural interaction guided by our experienced crew.

We host a maximum of 10 guests on each whale shark swimming adventure, giving you the most intimate and bespoke tour experience, the greatest flexibility, and the most time in the water.

What's included

• Transportation: complimentary transfers to and from Exmouth township to departure point
• Photos: complimentary professional digital photography on deck and underwater
• Gear: Wetsuits and snorkel gear
• Luxury Vessel: qualified skipper, deckhand, photographer, and marine scientist guide
• Education: pre-swim informational session
• Breakfast Snacks: Light morning tea and beverages
• Gourmet Lunch: Delicious lunch, snacks, canapés
• Celebration: A glass of bubbles at day’s end to toast your adventures
• Afternoon Snorkel: An additional coral reef snorkel (conditions permitting)

Why choose our whale shark tours?

If you are wondering which Whale Shark experience to select on the Ningaloo Reef, the difference between us and everyone else is numbers. Our focus at Live Ningaloo is on offering small group tours, to allow the greatest amount of interaction between you and the Whale Sharks.

We host a maximum of 10 guests on each Whale Shark swimming adventure, giving you the most intimate and bespoke tour experience, the greatest flexibility, and the most time in the water. You’ll be able to interact closely with these beautiful creatures as you snorkel and swim beside them in the warm, clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

The Ningaloo Reef is home to abundant sea life and you may also spot dugongs, turtles, Humpback Whales, blue whales, minke whales, orcas, dolphins, manta rays, stunning tropical fish and many types of coral on your adventure.

Who are our Bespoke Whale Shark Tours suitable for?

Although huge, with adults measuring between 12 to 18 metres long, Whale Sharks are completely harmless.  Our Whale Shark swimming tours are suited to a range of ages and swimming abilities and we accept confident swimmers from 4 years of age.

You do not need to be able to SCUBA dive to swim with Whale Sharks, as they swim close to the surface. Swimmers should be able to snorkel, swim freestyle and cope with currents and swell in the open ocean, and we can also provide flotation devices to assist those who require.

We may accept younger children who are very competent swimmers to swim with Whale Sharks and can also cater to some special needs and movement restrictions – please contact us to discuss.  Passengers can also participate in our tours as an ‘observer’. Please note that one parent must accompany children on board the boat at all times.

Can you guarantee I'll interact with Whale Sharks on my tour?

We work closely with an experienced spotter plane pilot, who lets us know exactly where and when the Whale Sharks appear, so we can get you there quickly and efficiently. Because Whale Sharks are wild animals and we are above all sensitive to their needs, we cannot guarantee that you will interact with a Whale Shark on your tour. We compare the tours to an African Safari, where we search for animals in the wild.

However, since we have started, in 2016 our Whale Shark swim rate was 100% compared to the industry level of 94 – 97% so we will always do our very best to facilitate this amazing experience for you. Government regulations allow a maximum of 60 minutes swimming with one shark and the duration of each swim is completely determined by the Whale Shark.

If the Whale Shark “dives” we send the spotter plane up to search for another shark. You may be lucky enough to swim with more than one Whale Shark during the day, however, you should set your own pace and may choose not to swim each time. If you are not comfortable doing the swim you can participate as an ‘observer’ and view these beautiful creatures from the deck.

Where can I join this tour?

Our luxury vessel, Wave Rider, departs from Tantabiddi Boat Ramp just north of the Cape Range National Park entrance in Exmouth. Complimentary transfers are provided to and from Exmouth township for your tour. Advance Bookings for all tours are essential.

Due to the small, intimate scale of our tours with a maximum of 10 places, we recommend booking several months in advance to avoid disappointment particularly during peak periods including Easter Holidays and July.

Previous guests on our humpback whale swimming tours have described the experience as ‘life-changing’ and ‘the best thing I’ve ever done.’ Do you want to have this unforgettable experience?

Our focus at Live Ningaloo is on offering bespoke small-group tours. We host a maximum of 10 guests on our humpback whale swimming adventures, so you can benefit from an intimate and high-quality tour experience. We are one of only a few operators who have been licenced to trial humpback whale swimming tours again in 2019.

On our tour, you interact closely with magnificent humpbacks, the acrobats of the ocean. We escort groups of seven at a time to snorkel and swim within a safe distance of them. The whales, measuring up to 18 metres long and weighing as much as 40 tonnes, are easy to spot as they exhibit behaviours such as breaching, slapping the water with their tales (flukes) and fins, and blowing streams of water up to 6 metres in the air.

What's included

• Transportation: complimentary transfers to and from Exmouth township to departure point
• Photos: complimentary professional digital photography on deck and underwater 
• Gear: Wetsuits and snorkel gear 
• Luxury Vessel: qualified skipper, deckhand, photographer, and marine scientist guide
• Education: pre-swim informational session
• Breakfast Snacks: Light morning tea and beverages
• Gourmet Lunch: Delicious lunch, snacks, canapés
• Celebration: A glass of bubbles at day’s end to toast your adventures
• Afternoon Snorkel: An additional coral reef snorkel (conditions permitting)

Why choose our humpback whale swimming tours?

Our focus at Live Ningaloo is on offering bespoke small group tours. We host a maximum of 10 guests (x7 swimmers and x3 observer spaces available) on our humpback whale swimming adventures so you can benefit from an intimate and high-quality tour experience.

We are one of only a few operators who have been licenced to trial humpback whale swimming tours again in 2020. On our tour, you’ll be able to interact closely with magnificent Humpbacks, the acrobats of the ocean.

We will escort groups of seven at a time to snorkel and swim within a safe distance of them. The whales, measuring up to 18m long and weighs as much as 40 tonnes, and are easy to spot as they exhibit behaviours such as breaching, slapping the water with their tales (flukes) and fins, and blowing streams of water up to 6 metres in the air.

Who are our bespoke Humpback Whale Swimming Tours suitable for?

Our humpback whale swimming tours are suited to a range of ages and swimming abilities and we accept confident swimmers from 4 years of age. You do not need to be able to SCUBA dive to swim with humpbacks. Swimmers should be able to snorkel, swim freestyle and cope with currents and swell in the open ocean, and we can also provide flotation devices to assist those who require.

We may accept younger children who are very competent swimmers to swim and can also cater to some special needs and movement restrictions – please contact us to discuss. Do keep in mind that humpback whales can exhibit exuberant behaviour such as lunging and slapping while in the water. Passengers can participate in our tours as an ‘observer’ and view these amazing mammals from the comfort of our vessel deck. Please note that one parent must accompany the children onboard the boat at all times.

Can you guarantee I'll interact with Humpback Whales on my tour?

We work closely with an experienced spotter plane pilot, who lets us know where the Humpbacks appear, so we can get you there quickly and efficiently. Because humpback whales are wild animals and we are above all sensitive to their needs, we cannot guarantee that you will interact with one on your tour. We compare the tours to an African Safari, where we search for animals in the wild.

Once our trained crew deem it same, a group of seven people (maximum) will be guided into the water at 50 to 150 metres from the whales. Swimmers are allowed near mothers and young whales 1/2 the size of their mum or larger.  Interactions will always be guided by the whales, who may approach swimmers if curious. You may be lucky enough encounter more than one humpback during the tour, however, you should set your own pace and may choose not to swim each time.

If you are not comfortable doing the swim you can participate as an ‘observer’ and view these beautiful creatures from the deck.  The duration of each swim will be determined by the whales’ willingness to be seen and interact with you, for a maximum of 60 minutes.

The post COVID-19 world is a different one and we’ve learned a lot. One thing we know for sure is how fortunate we are to live in a place like Ningaloo. As we all reassess what’s most important to us, we’ve decided to take this opportunity to share with you what we love best about Ningaloo Reef. So, we’ve created a new tour called Life on Ningaloo to give you an insider’s experience. We share what life is like for us when we decide to take the boat out for a day on the Ningaloo Reef.

Coming from a farming background, we appreciate better than most the value of peak growing season. In the past, we have chosen to offer tours based strictly around the wildlife calendar and when viewing opportunities are at their peak. Traditionally, this is:

• Whale sharks from mid March through July
• Humpback whales from August through October.

Our focus on peak viewing, along with having a single swimming group on our boat, is why we have such successful in-water experiences and meaningful moments for our guests.

There are, however, moments of transition at Ningaloo.  August through October is one of those periods when three megafauna are at Ningaloo Reef: Whale sharks, Humpback whales and Manta rays. The locals commonly refer to them as the ‘Big Three’ of the Ningaloo reef.

This year, we are offering a tour unlike anything we’ve offered before: the Life on Ningaloo Swimming Tour is inspired by how we snorkel in our personal time and what you might see if you are lucky ducky. We want you to experience the same kind of day out that we like best. You never know what you’re going to see but you know you’re going to have an unforgettable adventure.

What's included

• Transportation: complimentary transfers to and from Exmouth township to departure point
• Photos: complimentary professional digital photography on deck and underwater
• Gear: Wetsuits and snorkel gear
• Luxury Vessel: qualified skipper, deckhand, photographer, and marine scientist guide
• Education: pre-swim informational session
• Breakfast Snacks: Light morning tea and beverages
• Gourmet Lunch: Delicious lunch, snacks, canapés
• Celebration: A glass of bubbles at day’s end to toast your adventures
• Afternoon Snorkel: An additional coral reef snorkel (conditions permitting)

Why choose our Life on Ningaloo Swimming Tours?

Our focus at Live Ningaloo is offering a single swimming group experience to ensure you have the maximum amount of time in the water interacting with wildlife. We host a maximum of 10 guests (x7 swimmers and x3 observer spaces available) on our Ningaloo Life swimming adventures, so you benefit from an intimate tour experience. We escort groups of seven to snorkel and swim within a safe distance of the wildlife we see.

The Ningaloo Reef is home to abundant sea life and you may also spot dugongs, turtles, whale sharks, humpback whales, blue whales, minke whales, orcas, dolphins, manta rays, stunning tropical fish and many types of coral on your adventure.

What can I expect from my Ningaloo Life swimming tour?

This is a tour for people who want the ultimate adventure and are ready for a unique experience.  The way we approach this tour is embracing what the Ningaloo Reef has on offer for that particular day. When the spotter plan goes up, they will be instructed to find us something interesting. There are never any guarantees when you’re dealing with nature but we make our best attempts to conduct exceptional in-water experiences. While we are swimming, the spotter plane continues to look for other megafauna and communicates those options to the skipper to increase the chances of  seeing more wildlife.

Can you guarantee what I'll see on my Ningaloo Life Tour?

Nope, that’s actually the beauty of this tour. What we can guarantee is you’ll have the best possible tour we can muster (e.g. we still use spotter planes, we limit our guest count, etc.) and our best effort to secure you multiple swims with different species. The tour starts with whatever we believe is the best in-water experience for you and we’ll continue to search for additional megafauna throughout the tour.

We want to show you the best of Ningaloo Reef, in the way the locals appreciate seeing it. Every day on the reef is wonderful, but sometimes it’s extra special and, while there’s no guarantees, this tour gives you the chance for extra.

When can you swim with Life on Ningaloo?

Each year, the Ningaloo reef has several transitional seasons. August – October provides us with a variety of different wildlife to interact with. Humpback whales are in their peak season during this time frame. Whale sharks are just outside of their peak season but can be spotted as well as manta rays.

Who is this tour suitable for?

This intimate tour for a maximum of 10 guests is ideal for those who prefer a more personalised tour experience.

You do not need to be able to SCUBA dive to swim with Life on Ningaloo, as everything we swim with will be close to the surface. Swimmers should be able to snorkel, swim freestyle and cope with currents and swell in the open ocean, and we can also provide flotation devices to assist those who require.

We may accept younger children who are very competent swimmers (from four years old and onwards) to swim with Whale Sharks and can also cater to some special needs and movement restrictions – please note this in your booking. Passengers can also participate in our tours as an ‘observer’. Please note that one parent must accompany children on board the boat at all times.

Our Turtle Eco Adventure Tours is an affordable half-day excursion that gives you the opportunity to view a variety of ocean life from the comfort of our vessel before snorkeling over the magnificent Ningaloo coral reef lagoon.

On this shore-to-shore excursion on our luxury vessel, Wave Rider, you dedicate the first half of the tour to viewing marine life active during the time of your visit from the comfort of our deck. You have a great vantage point and the assistance of our experienced team who guide you on the tour.

Following the marine life viewing, we travel back into the Ningaloo Lagoon, the shallower sheltered inner area of the Ningaloo Reef. The lagoon is a wonderland for snorkelers, with an average depth of between 2 and 4 metres and warm waters. You are likely to view stunning tropical fish and many types of coral when you snorkel over the coral reef. The protected lagoon forms an important nursery for hundreds of types of fish, mollusks, and coral.

What's included

• Transportation: Complimentary transfers to and from Exmouth township to departure point
• Excursion: Four-hour trip shore to shore
• Luxury vessel: Wave Rider with qualified crew
• Education: pre-swim informational session by our highly qualified crew
• Gear: Wetsuits and snorkel gear
• Breakfast Snacks: Light morning refreshments (tea/coffee, biscuits, and fruit)
• Marine Life: Two-hour marine life watching from the deck of our vessel
• Lagoon cruise: Two-hour cruise and snorkel (subject to conditions

Which marine creatures will you see?

The Ningaloo Reef Eco Tour runs 01 November through to December every year. Please note that this tour offers the opportunity to view the creatures of the outer reef from the comfort of our vessel. It does not include a spotter plane or swimming with Whale Sharks or Humpback Whales. Please see our Swim with Humpback Whales Adventure Day and Swim with Whale Sharks Adventure Day for an extended full day tour options with swimming.

When is a good time for this tour?

There is always something astonishing to see on Ningaloo’s outer reef and we will be offering our Ningaloo Reef Eco Tour 01 November through 30 December every year and part of March.

Who is this tour suitable for?

This intimate tour for a maximum of 10 guests is ideal for those who prefer to view marine life from the security of a vessel on the open ocean, before snorkelling in the protected waters of the lagoon. It’s perfect for families with children and for those looking for a shorter, relaxed half day tour option.

The snorkelling component is best for moderately competent swimmers over the age of 4 years who have snorkelled before. We may be able to accept children younger than 10 who are competent swimmers to snorkel and can also cater to some special needs and movement restrictions – please contact us to discuss. High-quality wetsuits and flippers, including children’s sizes, and flotation devices are provided as required.

Can you guarantee I'll see particular marine creatures on my tour?

We compare all our tours to an African Safari, where we search for animals in the wild. This tour is focussed on viewing Ningaloo marine life which is active at the time of your tour, and this can vary through the seasons. We do not use a spotter plane for this tour and cannot guarantee you will see a Humpback Whale, Whale Shark or any other specific marine life. For our tours that use spotter planes to track ocean life, please see our Swim with Humpback Whales and Swim with Whale Sharks tours.

Want to make the most of your holiday? Booking a Private Ningaloo Reef Eco Tour with Live Ningaloo gives you the chance to create an unforgettable experience for you and your group. By retaining exclusive use of our vessel and crew for your private Exmouth boat charter you can customise a tour to you, your group or family needs. Whether for a day tour or a live aboard experience – our aim is always to exceed your expectations.

By retaining exclusive use of our vessel and crew for your private Exmouth boat charter you can customise a tour to you, your group or family needs. Whether for a day tour or a live aboard experience – our aim is always to exceed your expectations.

There are so many reasons to hire our vessel for a private Ningaloo Reef charter adventure for your group, including:

• Luxuriating in the simple perfection of exploring your own paradise
• Exploring the UNESCO Listed World Heritage Marine Park and its abundant lifeforms
• Snorkelling from the vessel into the warm waters of the Leeuwin current
• Enjoying the treasured company of your family and friends
• Creating a team building or corporate entertainment experience like no other

Or a combination of all the above!

Whale Shark Swimming Dates: mid-March – 31 July
Humpback Whale Swimming Dates: 01 August – 31 October
Eco-tours: 01 November – 31 December

Advance bookings for all tours are essential.