Manta rays are an amazing sight to see as they barrel roll while feeding on Ningaloo Reef. During the whale shark tours operated by Three Islands Marine Charters
manta rays may be sighted. From may to October
Manta rays gather on Ningaloo Reef in large numbers to feed. When guests participate in the whale shark snorkel tour on Ningaloo Reef between April and July they may see
manta rays. Guests may swim with the graceful
manta rays during the whale shark tour. Swimmers should form a group and be still or the manta rays may take fright although
manta rays are often quite curious around humans.
Manta rays eat similar food to whale sharks. Both whale sharks and
manta rays are filter feeders which filter food through their gills as they swim. The
manta ray is the largest of the rays. Even though they can have a wingspan up to 6 meters
manta rays are harmless. It is a delight to see
manta rays gracefully propel themselves through the water with their pectoral fins or “wings”.
Manta rays are black and white and like whale sharks are accompanied by remora fish as they swim on Ningaloo Reef. On a whale shark tour an incredible variety of marine life can be seen such as
manta rays, humpback whales, turtles, dolphins, dugongs and colourful fish. Guests may be lucky enough to see a
manta ray leap out of the water during a whale shark tour on Ningaloo Reef.
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Each year
humpback whales migrate up the Western Australian coast to the warm waters off Ningaloo Reef.
Humpback whales can be viewed during the whale shark tours operated by Three Islands Marine Charters between April and July. Many humpback whales stay on the outer reef between June and November until they return south. During this time many female
humpback whales give birth in the deeper offshore waters. It is an amazing sight to see
humpback whales breaching, sometimes with their whole body out of the water. Sometimes during the whale shark tour the
humpback whales put on a powerful display of breaching.
Humpback whales can be very curious and will come close to a boat to have a look at the humans. Vessels must stay 100 metres from
humpback whales. Whale sharks are not whales like
humpback whales.
Humpback whales are mammals and must breathe air which is why they surface regularly. Whale sharks are fish and get their oxygen from the water through their gills. During the whale shark tour on Ningaloo Reef a variety of marine life such as
humpback whales, manta rays, turtles, dugongs and dolphins may be seen.
Humpback whales are exciting to see during the whale shark tour. It is very unlikely to see a
humpback whale while snorkeling with a whale shark on Ningaloo Reef. Guests can only swim and snorkel with whale sharks, they are not permitted to swim with humpback whales. Like whale sharks,
humpback whales are protected in Australia.
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