Award Winning Whale Shark Experience
Tours
Unforgettable Whale Shark Swim Experience
An exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime adventure awaits you on the spectacular crystal clear waters of the Ningaloo Reef. Explore this magnificent aquatic wonderland and experience a wildlife encounter like no other with our breathtaking whale shark tours in Exmouth.
The whale shark season runs from early March to early October each year, with manta rays commonly spotted from late May and humpback whales arriving from June until early October.
ABOUT
Why choose Three Islands
Based in Exmouth on Western Australia's Coral Coast, Three Islands Whale Shark Dive is a locally run marine eco-adventure company offering whale shark snorkel tours on Ningaloo Reef. Choosing who to swim with whale sharks in Exmouth with comes down to the people on the boat, and our crew are always happy to share what they know about the reef and its wildlife.
Help from the air makes a big difference. Our spotter-plane partners at Ningaloo Aviation help the crew find whale sharks. Once you're in the water, one of our safety tenders follows the group, so help is never far away.
New to snorkelling? We provide wetsuits, snorkel gear, and noodles as buoyancy aids, plus snorkel tuition and a hand to hold if you'd like. Our boats, Draw Card and Seafari, were designed for the conditions on the Ningaloo, and the crew briefs every guest on how to swim alongside whale sharks without disturbing them.
Safety
You’re in good hands on the water
Meet Nigel and Neville, our two Naiad safety tenders. While you're snorkelling the reef and swimming with whale sharks, one of them follows the group in the water, so help is always close by.
Before anyone gets wet, the crew talks you through the day, how the swim works, and what to expect in the water. Ask as many questions as you like. If it's your first time snorkelling, let us know, and we'll help you with your gear, buoyancy aids, and a hand in the water if you want one.
Once you're swimming, just raise your hand if your mask is leaking, you're tiring, or you'd like a breather, and a tender or crew member will come to you. Our main vessels comply with national survey standards for commercial vessels and carry the safety equipment required on board.
Our Boats
Say hello to our boats, Draw Card and Seafari. Both are 55 feet long and were built in Western Australia, with hulls designed for the weather and swell up and down this coast. On board you'll find:
- Big, shaded decks with clear views across the lagoon and outer reef
- Bow access, a favourite spot for watching for marine life as you cruise
- Marlin boards with ladders on both sides, so getting in and out of the water is easy
- A toilet and shower, so you can rinse off after a swim
Eyes in the sky
Finding whale sharks for you to swim with
Whale sharks can be hard to spot from the deck, so we work with Ningaloo Aviation, a local team of fixed-wing pilots who've been flying over Ningaloo Reef for years. Getting you in the water with a whale shark is a team effort between the air and the boat. Once the pilots spot one, they and our skipper talk back and forth to position the boat and line up each swim, while the crew on deck get you ready to slip in at just the right moment.
Having help from above also means we can often work a little further from the crowds and shape the day around our guests. On days when the whale sharks are harder to find, the partnership gives us more eyes over the water.
Getting there
Where Desert Meets Sea
Located 1270 kilometres north of Perth, Exmouth is home to Ningaloo Marine Park and Cape Range National Park. Few places are blessed with the stark contrast of rugged ranges and crystal blue waters right on their doorstep, making this a very unique part of the world. Renowned for its white sandy beaches and amazing seasonal marine life, you can enjoy warm weather year-round.
Drive, fly, or take a coach - you have a bunch of options when making the trip to Exmouth. The 260-kilometre expanse of Ningaloo Reef runs down the western coast of the Exmouth peninsula, and is easily accessible from the shore.
While discovering the stunning landscapes where desert meets sea, make your trip unforgettable with our Whale Shark Tours Exmouth. Swim alongside these gentle giants and experience the breathtaking beauty of Ningaloo Reef like never before.
Ready?
Awards and accreditations
Three Islands Whale Shark Dive has been a finalist in the Western Australian Tourism Awards for 12 years and a medal winner on 10 occasions, an achievement we're very proud of.
Testimonials
Read the tales of adventure from our 3 Islands guests
When you think of humpback whales, their iconic breaching is likely one of the first things that come to mind. But why do humpback whales breach? This ...
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Swimming with whales can be a little intimidating if you've never experienced it before. The sheer size of whales can make even the most confident peop...
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Quick summary: Swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef is calm, safe and awe-inspiring, far from the ‘dangerous predator’ image people imagine....
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Quick summary: Whale shark swim difficulty is much lower than most people expect, with whale sharks moving slowly and swims kept short and guided. You ...
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A trip to Exmouth is so much more than a holiday. It’s a chance for you and your family to dive into one of Australia’s most spectacular natural pl...
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Australia is home to two of the world’s most remarkable coral reef systems: Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensla...
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