Ningaloo's Big 5
Ningaloo Reef is the only place in Australia where you can swim with the marine 'Big 5'
Africa has the 'Big 5', and so does Ningaloo - Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales, Manta Rays, Turtles, and if you're lucky, the Dugong. Ningaloo, Australia's largest fringing reef, and one of the longest in the world, is also home to an abundance of incredible marine life with over 500 species of fish, 300 species of coral, turtles, dolphins and rays calling the World Heritage-listed reef.
Tick the Ningaloo Big Five off your adventure loving bucket list in Ningaloo. One of the only places in the world to see all five. Nowhere else offers guaranteed Whale Shark encounters, Humpback Whale swims, and a high chance of seeing Manta Rays and Sea Turtles. Even Dugongs if you’re lucky.
You haven’t done Ningaloo, until you’ve done the Big Five. And, when you’ve done all five, there’s plenty more to explore...
The Icon
The majestic Whale Shark Ningaloo is only place in the world where you can almost guarantee a swim with these gentle giants of the ocean. Tick. What’s next? March - August
The Acrobat
The Humpback Whale Meet 40 tonnes of acrobatic wonder. Coming eye-to-eye with a majestic Humpback Whale is sure to get your heart racing. July - October
The Ballerina
The Manta Ray Elegance personified, when the ballerina of the sea glides by. A balm for the modern world. All year round.
The Ancient Mariner
The Green Sea Turtle This ancient mariner of the sea knows a thing or two about the ocean. See what he can teach you at Ningaloo. All year round.
The Mermaid
The Elusive Dugong The chosen and the very lucky will hear her sing, and find out why her species inspired the mermaid myth. All year round.
"Ningaloo offers marine interactions, all year round"
The iconic WHALE SHARKS
March to August
Whale shark season typically runs from March through August; however, sightings often continue into October. During this time, there is also the exciting possibility of swimming with Humpback whales.
The majestic HUMPBACK WHALE
July to October
In-water interaction tours take place between July and October each year, as 40,000 humpback whales embark on their annual migration along Western Australia's coastline. You can also enjoy whale-watching tours from these towns, as well as many other destinations along Australia's Coral Coast.
The acrobatic MANTA RAY
All year round
You can swim with manta rays year round on the Ningaloo Reef from Coral Bay, with dedicated full day and half day tours departing daily.
The ancient mariner GREEN SEA TURTLE
All year round
Turtles can be encountered in the region year-round. However from late-October through to early April the region transforms into a hub of turtle activity as mating, nesting and hatching seasons occur.
The elusive mermaid of the deep Dugong
All year round
Dugongs can also be seen year-round at Ningaloo Reef and can be sighted on the many marine interactive tours on offer. One of the world's most stable populations and approximately 10% of the world's total dugong population lies in Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
There's More to Love at Ningaloo
With the world’s largest fringing reef, heritage-listed national parks, and an abundance of rare flora and fauna —there’s so much more to love in Ningaloo.
