Swimming with Whale Sharks is one of my favorite activities to date. I was literally speechless when I saw these giants swimming right next to me. You should do this in Coral Bay. This is it. The blog post is over.
The Ningaloo Reef is the perfect place to experience this. Coral Bay Eco Tours took me on an amazing day. The knowledge and care of the divers, the wildlife, and the memories that you gain are all incredible. The entire tour was great, and I will never forget it.
Let’s look at the details so you can plan your next Whale Shark Swim.
First, a few facts about whale sharks
Did you know the Whale Shark is the largest fish in the ocean? Whale Sharks are the largest fish in the sea. The biggest confirmed Whale shark measured 18.8m. However, most of those you see near Coral Bay range between 5.5 and 10m.
The whale shark is a filter feeder, meaning that it cannot bite or chew. The gills can process up to 6,000 liters per hour. They have a mouth that can reach up to four feet in width, but only tiny teeth. This means they eat mainly shrimp, plankton, and small fish.
Some can live to be 150 years old.
The majority of whale sharks in Coral Bay that have been spotted are male!
Why the Ningaloo coast
You may be wondering why I said that the Ningaloo coast is one of the best places for swimming with Whale Sharks. This is because I have stated it twice. If you swim during the right season (listed below), then you’re almost guaranteed to see one of these giants. Whale Sharks feed along the Ningaloo coast, and sightings are reported every year. Most tours along the Ningaloo coast offer a refund if you don’t see any whale sharks. If you do not know any Whale Sharks, you can book a new tour for up to three years (depending upon the operator) completely free.
Second, these tours have a high ethical standard. In some parts of the world, whale shark swims do not always serve the best interest of the animals. In the Philippines, for instance, some places bring Whale Sharks up close to shore and crowd them with tourists. It is not good for the animal’s stress level or well-being. Coral Bay tours are designed to keep both swimmers and animals happy. It is not permitted to crowd, swim around, or be too near the animal. This is one of the best reasons to take a Coral Bay tour. We don’t want anything to be done to endanger these animals further.
When is the best time to swim with Whale Sharks
Whale Shark Swims are available from March to August each year. Most likely, you will see them in the middle of the year. As I said, however, it was during the first swim of the season that I saw one. It depends solely on when they start feeding each year.
What will the cost be
You can expect to pay between $350-$400 (per adult) for an ethical swim with Whale Sharks at Coral Bay. It may seem like a lot, but you get more with each tour than just a Whale Shark Swim. In most packages, you get all of your equipment, food, drinks, snorkeling, and Whale Shark swimming.
What company should I choose
You can choose between two tour companies in Coral Bay: Coral Bay Eco Tours or Ningaloo Reef&Dive. Both tours are similar, so you should do some research to find the one that best suits you. Coral Bay Eco Tours is the company that I used. They have provided excellent service for me before on my Manta Ray Tour.
Coral Bay Eco Tours – A short review
This was an incredible experience! This tour is everything you could want from a Whale Shark Swim.
The Instructors
You will learn a lot from the instructors/divers. You will learn about Whale Sharks and other marine life on that day. Also, they care about each swimmer. The instructors will ensure that your mask fits properly and you feel comfortable. They will immediately ask you if you’re okay if they see your head above the water. They will replace your mask if it doesn’t fit. I loved the little things that made this tour so special. The tour guides are generally happy to see everyone having a good time.
Snorkel
You will get to swim with the Whale Shark and two snorkeling swims. They take you to two incredible snorkeling spots. There is a lot of coral and wildlife to be seen. The nature I saw included turtles, stingrays, and reef sharks. From the boat, our group also spotted dolphins, Manta Rays, and a hammerhead, tiger, and tiger shark. The price includes all your snorkeling equipment.
Whale Shark Swim
Before the Whale Shark Swim, you will be divided into two groups and instructed on how to swim. You have plenty of room to admire these beautiful creatures, as each group has about ten swimmers. We were the first group to enter the water. The photographer on board jumps into the water first, keeping an eye on the Whale Shark. Once in the water, you are given the go-ahead to jump into the water with your instructors. You will see your first Whale Shark and be allowed to swim alongside it. At all times, you must keep your distance from the Shark’s face and tail.
You will wait in a group until the boat arrives. Once you are given the go-ahead, the ship will come and pick you up. You will then board the boat to repeat the process. Our tour had four different drops, which gave us plenty of time for photos and swimming with the Whale Shark.
Whale Shark Swim
Before the Whale Shark Swim, you will be divided into two groups and instructed on how to swim. You have plenty of room to admire these beautiful creatures, as each group has about ten swimmers. We were the first group to enter the water. The photographer on board jumps into the water first, keeping an eye on the Whale Shark. Once in the water, you are given the go-ahead to jump into the water with your instructors. You will see your first Whale Shark and be allowed to swim alongside it. At all times, you must keep your distance from the Shark’s face and tail.
You will wait in a group until the boat arrives. Once you are given the go-ahead, the ship will come and pick you up. You will then board the boat to repeat the process. Our tour had four different drops, which gave us plenty of time for photos and swimming with the Whale Shark.