Snorkeling with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks in Australia’s Ningaloo Reef
There may be some affiliate links on this page, which means when you click we get a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you. This allows us to keep this page running. Enjoy!
Last Updated on May 27, 2024 by Sarah Puckett
His fins curved effortlessly as his torso barrel rolled just a few meters below me. His mouth agape to collect krill, he looked as if he could swallow me whole if I got too close. However, the manta ray seemed to not even notice my presence as he continued with roll after roll. This is just a glimpse of what it’s like snorkeling in the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, where you can see manta rays and giant whale sharks.
Where is the Ningaloo Reef?
The Ningaloo Marine Park is a World Heritage site located on the coast of Western Australia near Cape Range National Park. The largest fringing coral reef in Australia, the Ningaloo Reef reaches from the North West Cape to Red Bluff.
About Manta Rays and Whale Sharks
During our road trip from Perth to Darwin, Tim and I decided to join two separate snorkeling excursions – one to see manta rays, and the second to see whale sharks. Each falls into the category of “megafauna” because they are literally big animals.
Manta Rays Fast Facts
- Mantas can reach 7 meters in width
- They can live for up to 50 years
- They eat 60 pounds of plankton and fish per day
- “Manta” is Spanish for “cloak”
Whale Sharks Fast Facts
- Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea and can reach 14 meters in length
- They are not related to whales at all – they are sharks
- These sharks have 3000 teeth that they do not use to eat because they are filter-eaters
- They can weigh up to 12 tons
Where to Stay at the Ningaloo Reef
I advise staying in either Exmouth or Coral Bay. You can arrange snorkeling excursions into the Ningaloo Marine Park to see manta rays and whale sharks from both of these towns. Plus, they have a decent amount of infrastructure and tourism services compared to the remote and empty regions that make up most of Western Australia.
>>> Click here to search hotels in Exmouth
>>> Click here to search hotels in Coral Bay
What to Expect Snorkeling with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks in Australia’s Ningaloo Reef
Whether you’re on a manta trip or a whale shark trip, these excursions run very similarly. Your day will start early in the morning and you will most likely travel by bus with your tour company to the location where you will board your boat.
Safety Briefing
The guides will give you information about the animals you will see and how to interact ethically with them (basically, don’t interact, just observe). They’ll also go over the usual safety briefing, and, depending on the number of people on your boat, divide the guests into groups to limit the number of people in the water with the animal at one time.
Gear
You’ll get fitted for fins and a snorkel mask if you didn’t bring your own, and there is generally a casual morning snorkel for you to get used to your gear or to snorkeling itself if it’s new to you.
Snorkeling with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks
Mid-morning, a spotter plane will head out to scout for manta rays or whale sharks. They could find one quickly, or it could be hours. Go with the flow and remember wild animals have no obligation to show up for you, no matter how much you paid!
Once the plane spots a manta or shark, they’ll tell the captain of your boat and he’ll head to the location. From here, things move FAST. People in the first group will start getting ready with their fins and masks, and line up on the back of the boat. When instructed to do so, they’ll jump in. A guide will already be in the water trailing the animal and waving his or her arm to indicate the location. The group has a few minutes, and meanwhile, the next group is getting ready.
When the first group is about to get back on board, the second group jumps. This cycle repeats several times in quick succession, and generally, everyone gets to swim twice with the same animal.
In addition to whale sharks or manta rays, you’ll also be able to see colorful reef fish and other marine life while snorkeling in the Ningaloo Marine Park.
Fitness Expectations
It’s exhausting, especially since whale sharks, in particular, can be found in rougher waters and swim fast. It’s hard to keep up. If you aren’t a strong swimmer, they do have pool noodles you can hold on to for buoyancy, but regardless you’ll be swimming a lot.
Other Wildlife
After the manta or shark encounter, there is usually an afternoon snorkel as well. During these other snorkels, you might see turtles and sharks in addition to a wide array of colorful fish. Lastly, if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot some dolphins from the boat while cruising around!
Responsible Wildlife Encounters
To ethically observe manta rays and whale sharks in the wild, several rules are in place. As mentioned above, the tour operators limit the number of people around the animal at any given time. They also limit the duration of time spent near the animal. Moreover, when observing the animal, it’s important to keep your distance and not get in front of the animal, as this would obstruct their route and their feeding.
One of the best things about opting to snorkel with whale sharks in Western Australia is that tour operators don’t lure the animals to a designated spot by feeding them. Sadly, this is the practice in other touristy locations where you can swim with whale sharks, such as Cebu, Philippines.
Companies and Costs
Ningaloo Discovery offers whale shark tours starting at $249 AUD. They also offer opportunities to swim with humpback whales seasonally! Coral Bay Eco Tours offers manta ray tours starting at $175 AUD, and also offers whale shark and humpback whale swimming tours. To take a deeper dive (literally!) into the Ningaloo Reef, consider doing a live-aboard dive trip!
Book more tours in Ningaloo Reef:
More Australia Travel Tips
If you want to get even more off the beaten path, I highly recommend visiting Tasmania. Day trips from Hobart to Port Arthur and Maria Island also fit perfectly in my comprehensive three-week Tasmania itinerary. Make sure you check it out and bookmark it for later!
Also, when you head to Cradle Mountain, consider doing the summit hike for a challenging but rewarding day!
If you plan on an in-depth exploration of Western Australia, make sure you check out (and bookmark!) my super-detailed Perth to Darwin road trip itinerary.
And while you’re in Perth, make sure you visit Rottnest Island on a day trip and spot adorable quokkas!
If you’re heading all the way to the northern region of Western Australia, I highly recommend visiting Purnululu National Park and splurging on a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Range. My guide covers everything you need to know to make this bucket-list-worthy adventure happen!
Have a specific question about snorkeling in the Ningaloo Reef or anything Australia? Leave a comment below or contact me!
