The spotty giants of the ocean are the reason many people venture up to Exmouth. They were one of the highlights of our trip, but there is much more to offer too.
When should I go?
We went up to Exmouth at the start of May and many people referred to “magic May” as one of the best times to go, with a cross-over into humpback season. That said, there are different marine life encounters at different times of year, so it really depends on what you want to see.
The water temperature was lovely at that time – I struggle with the cold a bit and opted for a rashie under my stinger suit for extra warmth, which was a good option.
Which tour should I do?
We spent a lot of time researching. We had the choice of going from Coral Bay or Exmouth, but ultimately landed on Exmouth as there were more boat options.
We chose Ningaloo Discovery on the catamaran and were very glad we did. Initially we were on the wait list but managed to sneak in and we’re so glad we did. While I’m sure all the boats are great fun, having the boom net to relax on and being able to sail a bit on the way home was pretty magical.
They had a decent no-sighting policy and excellent reviews on their site – which they lived up to.
Can I see whale sharks as a non-swimmer on the boat?
No, or at least incredibly rarely. Boats must stay a minimum distance away and whale sharks are often under the surface. If you want to see one up close you need to either get in the water or take a scenic flight.
Do I need to be a good swimmer?
From what we saw, you do not. Flotation devices are usually offered for those who need them and everyone on our tour did just fine, including a young girl who used a pool noodle for extra help.
The whale sharks can move quickly, but you have fins to help. We were lucky to see three docile whale sharks and swam at a relaxed pace alongside them.
Should I opt for a no-sight guarantee policy?
This is up to you, but it’s a nice fallback and almost all operators offer one. We booked our tour for the first full day in Exmouth to give us another try if needed. Our no-sighting policy with Ningaloo Discovery included:
- A free repeat tour on the next available day
- A repeat voucher valid for two years
- A $100 refund per person
At the time of writing, Ningaloo Whale Sharks had the most generous refund policy: a free repeat tour or a refund of the tour less their costs. They also offered free snorkel gear while you were in town – a nice perk.
Do all boats have their own spotter planes?
Spotter planes help boats know where to head. Some operators have dedicated spotters; others share. I believe our spotter plane was shared between a few boats. We saw three whale sharks but were the only group swimming with two of them (we would move away after our swim to allow others a turn).
Crews are extremely careful around whale sharks – you can’t interact with them and must swim passively alongside at a distance. Our crew included a marine biologist and the team genuinely cared about conservation – not just of whale sharks, but the coral and the wider environment.
How long should I spend in Exmouth?
We did a week and that was a good amount of time for us; enough to allow for a repeat tour if needed and to explore the surrounding area. We spent a day in Cape Range National Park for snorkeling and otherwise relaxed around town. We work remotely, so we also slotted in a couple of work days.
Other things to consider
- If you’re short on cash but have lots of time, some boats offer volunteering in exchange for a swim. Most operators have it on their website such as here.
- The scenic flights are supposed to be amazing. We were too disorganised for this but would definitely do it next time. Link here for reference.
- Book in advance during peak season. It gets busy – you can often change dates, but you’re subject to availability. We booked 14 days in advance and were lucky to snag a place on the catamaran.
Please note that this is not an affiliate link. All opinions are our own. Photo credits to the Ningaloo Discovery team!