Live Ningaloo

Dreaming of swimming with the world’s largest living fish in the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef? Our Swim with Whale Sharks Day Tour is for you. You’ll have the unmatched experience of safely snorkelling and swimming beside these gentle giants in an amazing natural interaction, guided by our experienced crew.

When can you swim with Whale Sharks?

We lead guided small group tours offering the chance to swim with the Whale Sharks from April to July when you have the best chance of seeing a Whale Shark up close.  The clear waters and visibility of the North West make for perfect conditions to swim with a Whale Shark as they cruise just below the surface, allowing you the opportunity to snorkel alongside them.

What’s included?

• Complimentary transfers to and from Exmouth township to Tantabiddi Boat Ramp departure point.
• Full day (7 hour) excursion shore to shore
• Luxury vessel ‘Wave Rider’ with qualified skipper, deckhand, photographer and marine scientist guide
• High-quality wetsuits and snorkel gear
• Educational ‘pre-swim’ session
• Light Morning tea and beverages
• Delicious lunch, snacks, cheese and fruit
• A glass of bubbly at day’s end to toast your adventures
• Spotter plane guidance
• Professional digital photography on deck and underwater supplied at no additional cost
• Afternoon coral reef snorkel (conditions permitting)

The chance to swim with Humpback Whales is an opportunity that has only been offered in Western Australia since 2016 when selected operators were granted licences on a preliminary trial. On our bespoke small group tour, you’ll be able to interact closely with magnificent Humpback Whales, the acrobats of the ocean. We will escort groups of five at a time to snorkel and swim within a safe distance of them. 

When can you swim with Humpback Whales?

Each year, humpback whales begin their epic migration northwards from the cold waters of Antarctica, to the tropical waters of Broome, Western Australia. We will be offering our Humpback Whale Swimming Tours as part of a limited trial from 01 August to 31 October 2018, when thousands of Humpbacks are expected to again pass through the Ningaloo Marine Park.

Our bespoke Swim with Humpback Whales Adventure Day includes:

• Complimentary transfers to and from Exmouth township to Tantabiddi Boat Ramp departure point
• Full day (7 hour) excursion shore to shore
• Luxury vessel ‘Wave Rider’ with qualified skipper, deckhand, photographer and marine scientist guide
• High-quality wetsuits and snorkel gear
• Educational ‘pre-swim’ session
• Light Morning tea and beverages
• Delicious lunch, snacks, cheese and fruit
• A glass of sparkling at day’s end to toast your adventures
• Spotter plane guidance
• Professional digital photography on deck and underwater supplied at no additional cost
• Afternoon coral reef snorkel (conditions permitting)

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

If you are seeking a very special Whale Shark or Humpback Whale swimming experience, tailored for you or your group, our Private Whale Shark or Humpback Whale Swimming is made for you.  Our luxury vessel, the Wave Rider, and experienced crew will at your disposal for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Our private group tours are available as follows:

• Private Whale Shark Swimming Tour: 01 April – 31 July
• Private Humpback Whale Swimming Tour: 01 August – 31 October

Private Whale Shark Swimming Tour: you will have the most intimate and bespoke tour experience, the greatest flexibility, and the most time in the water. The tour allows you to snorkel and swim beside 12 – 18 metre long Whale Sharks in the warm, clear waters of the Indian Ocean. By exclusively booking our boat, you can choose exactly who to share this magical experience with – we can host a group of up to 10 guests at a time.

Private Humpback Whale Swimming Tour: you will be able to interact closely with magnificent Humpbacks, the acrobats of the ocean, in this exclusive experience for a private group of up to 10 people. Humpback whales, measuring up to 18m long and weighing 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. We will escort groups of five at a time to snorkel and swim within a safe distance of them.

Due to the limited availability of this tour, we encourage you to contact us well in advance to book a Private Whale Shark or Humpback Whale Swimming Tour.

Our Ningaloo Marine Life Viewing and Snorkelling Tour is an affordable half-day excursion that will give you the opportunity to view a variety of ocean life from the comfort of our vessel, before snorkelling over the magnificent Ningaloo coral reef lagoon. On this shore-to-shore excursion on our luxury vessel, Wave Rider, you will dedicate the first half of the tour to viewing marine life active during the time of your visit from the comfort of our deck with a great vantage point and the assistance of our experienced team who guide you on the tour.

When is the best time to visit?

The Ningaloo Marine Life Viewing and Snorkelling Tour runs 01 November through to 30 December and for part of March every year. Depending on the season, you will be likely to see Manta Rays (October to December) and Humpback Whales (August to October). You may also be lucky enough to spot sea turtles (year round), dugongs (June and July), dolphins and more.  

Our Half-Day Tour includes:

• Complimentary transfers to and from Exmouth township to Tantabiddi Boat Ramp departure point
• 4 hour excursion shore to shore
• Luxury vessel ‘Wave Rider’ with qualified skipper, deckhand, photographer and marine scientist guide
• Educational talks by our highly qualified crew
• High-quality wetsuits and snorkel gear
• Light morning refreshments (Tea/coffee, biscuits and fruit)
• 2 hour Marine Life viewing from the deck of our vessel
• Delicious lunch and snacks
• 2 hour relaxed lagoon cruise and snorkel (subject to conditions)

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.

Want to make the most of your holiday? Booking an Exclusive Ningaloo Reef Charter (October - March) with Live Ningaloo gives you the chance to create a tailored unforgettable experience, catered to the needs of you, your family or your group (maximum 10 people). Whether you're up for an activity filled Day Tour, or a relaxing Live Aboard experience, having exclusive use of our luxury vessel "Wave Rider" and professional, friendly crew is sure to exceed your best expectations.

Why book an Exclusive Ningaloo Reef Charter?

• The simple perfection of exploring your own paradise in luxury
• Experiencing the UNESCO Listed World Heritage, Ningaloo Marine Park
• Snorkelling from the vessel into the warm waters of the Leeuwin current
• Amping up the adrenaline with an action-packed sport fishing or game fishing adventure (catch and release). Optional item using sister company - Set The Hook
• 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!

Day tours starting at AUD$2000 for up to 10 people. Please contact us for availability and quotation.

Private charters do not include a spotter plane to assist with Whale Shark and Humpback Whale swimming adventures. If you would like to book an exclusive Whale Shark or Humpback Whale swimming tour for your group, you can find that under Exclusive Whale Shark or Humpback Whale Swimming Tour. 

Tailored Ningaloo Reef Expeditions

Our vessel, Wave Rider, is available for Ningaloo Reef Scientific Expeditions in May and in August each year.  Our experienced crew will assist you to conduct the research you need which may include:

• marine seabed surveys
• specimen collection or study
• species tagging
• conservation research
• water quality monitoring

and other scientific research. We also offer charters for film crews and other requirements.

Extended Scientific Tours

The experienced Live Ningaloo Crew has developed two six-night itineraries for those wishing to delve deeper into the science and environment of Whale Sharks and Humpback Whales. This intensive week of investigation is suited to marine biologists, environmental scientists, conservationists, teachers and members of the public who would love to understand more about these incredible creatures and how we can protect them. The Whale Shark Scientific tour will take place for the first time in May 2018 and Humpback Whale Scientific tour in August 2018.  Please enquire for details and see our sample itinerary below.Sample Itinerary – Whale Shark Scientific Tour