Wednesday, 10 June 2026
A BIG day today embarking on our Whale Shark Snorkelling Adventure Tour. Our pick-up was scheduled for 7.00-7.10am so … after sunrise rather than a crazy early time! We were out the front at 6.55am and on the bus by 7.00am, with crew members, Kiya (from NZ) and Todd (from Narre Warren South!) We circled around Exmouth, collecting people (and crew member, Holly) from various resorts, before heading around North West Cape to the boat ramp at Tantabiddi.
On the way out to Tantabiddi we travelled past the satellite dishes and masts associated with the Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station. The Very Low Frequency facility was opened in 1967 to enable the US Navy to communicate with submerged submarines (and surface vessels) in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. At 387 metres tall the masts are taller than the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building.
Upon arrival at the boat ramp, we were taken by tender to the Magellan, our vessel for the day that would take us to the outside of Ningaloo Reef, in search of the biggest fish in the sea, whale sharks. We met the Skipper, Shane and our deck hand for the day, Katy.
As Shane got us underway, the rest of the high energy crew, issued us with wet suits, snorkels and goggles. We were given the safety spiel and instruction on how to adjust and use our equipment and the protocols for swimming with the sharks. Phew, so much information to remember. In addition to the standard equipment, I opted to wear a life vest, so that I would feel safer in the water. I’m not a competent swimmer and I wanted to be able to concentrate on the whale sharks rather than on staying afloat.
Shane motored out to the lagoon, where we all entered the water to ensure that we were comfortable with our gear. A few participants fine-tuned their equipment switching for items that would fit them better. When everyone was happy, it was time to head out the passage to the outside of the reef … and then wait for the spotter plane to find the whale shark(s) so that Shane could get us close to (at least) one of these big fish.
Before long a whale shark was spotted and we were heading for it, but then Shane was notified that it had dived below the surface. As luck would have it, some humpback whales put in an appearance so we were all distracted watching the humpback whales. The spotter reported some more whale sharks to the south of our position, so Shane cranked up the motors to cover the distance and deliver us to the area in which the sharks were swimming.
Then it was go, go, go, go, go. Group 1, ready to go in the water. In we went, we lined up as directed by Todd and then put our faces in the water when Todd instructed us to and … we saw the whale shark swimming by. Once its dorsal fin was past us, we were allowed to swim alongside it, provided we maintained three metres distance. Phew, when it outdistanced us, we had to gather around Todd to wait to be picked up by the Magellan.
As soon as Group 2 was in the water, Shane and Katy circled around to pick us up. The hardest part was swimming around to the end of the boat and then trying to heave myself back onto the marlin board. I was not graceful like a marlin, more like a whale trying to beach. In fact, I needed an assist from Katy to get onto the marlin board. Then we had to back up the steps to the deck with our fins on and shuffle on our bums to Group 1’s side of the deck, so that we would be ready to go again as soon as possible.
And that was how it went for several more swims. Into the water, line up, put our faces in the water, see the shark, swim with the shark, float in the water waiting to be picked up, re-board the boat … and then do it all again. Exhausting by exhilarating. The water was a bit hazy today, but we were told that the sharks actually prefer it that way. When the water is crystal clear there are generally fewer sharks about so, I guess we had a good day for it. We certainly had plenty of opportunity to swim with these amazing creatures.
In between helping swimmers back on board the boat, Katy had somehow had time to prepare a luncheon buffet for us. Those of us not suffering from seasickness anyway. There were three poor souls who spent much of the trip with a bucket of seawater between their knees. Once upon a time, knowing that other people were sick would have had me feeling a bit blagh, in sympathy. Fortunately, in more recent years, I have found that other people’s woes in that area don’t affect me anymore. Insensitive, or what? So, I managed a plate of chicken and salad. I don’t know if the spread of food and people stuffing their faces made the people feeling green around the gills feel even worse?
The spotter pilot and Shane guided us to a spot where we saw a couple more humpback whales and then, when our tour was just about done for the day, the call went up that a blue whale had been sighted. Even the crew members were super excited by this as blue whale sightings are rare in this area. We motored over to the area of the sighting and the spotter pilot tracked its movements and helped us all to get focussed on the right quadrant of ocean. We saw it blow a fair way from the boat, but when it next came close to the surface it glided by right beside the boat and was at least as long as the Magellan. It’s back didn’t break the surface, but we could see its sort of ghostly outline as it swam past the boat. Wow!
At that point, Shane had to call it a wrap and take us back to the Magellan’s mooring. We were returned to the boat ramp in two groups and then re-boarded the bus with Todd for the trip back to our accommodation in Exmouth. What a HUGE day. Gunna sleep well tonight!
We had thought about having Ross and Sharon to dinner at our cabin tonight, but it was agreed during the afternoon that everyone was going to be too tired to cook, and we should go to the pub. It was decided that we would go to Whalebone, as it is situated between our caravan parks. It helped that Kiya gave it a big wrap, saying that it’s a favourite of hers. It’s always good to go somewhere that’s popular with the locals.
Move and Exercise Goals are completely misrepresented today as I didn’t have my Apple Watch on for five hours when I was DEFINITELY moving and exercising while swimming with the sharks. I reckon what I’m recording below should be doubled??!
Oh, and there will be more photos to come. Part of our tour package today includes photos taken by King Ningaloo Reef Tour’s photographer, Holly. Her day won’t be done when she goes home, she has to process all the photos that she took, so that she can email photos to us in 24-48 hours.
Steps: 5,724 (3.97kms)
