Whale shark · Australia
Where to see whale sharks in Australia
About this list
A common trap when looking for places to see whale sharks in Australia is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the whale shark as a target species, 5 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: WA, Coral Bay and Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia. Encounters are split into swimming, snorkeling and boat-based watching. Two "whale shark tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. All 5 operators on this list publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare them directly. Estimated prices are not shown. The 5 operators that state a season for whale shark programs in Australia cluster in Mar–Oct. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.
Whale shark season in Australia
Mar–Oct
- JanJanuary: not in season
- FebFebruary: not in season
- MarMarch: in season
- AprApril: in season
- MayMay: in season
- JunJune: in season
- JulJuly: in season
- AugAugust: in season
- SepSeptember: in season
- OctOctober: in season
- NovNovember: not in season
- DecDecember: not in season
The months 5 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the whale shark season table.
5 listed operators
Australia · WA, Coral Bay
Coral Bay Ecotours
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- A$70
- Checked
- Official source
Australia · Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia
Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours
SnorkelingSwimmingMarine life encounters- Season
- Apr–Sep
- Price
- AUD 625 / swimmer
- Checked
- Official source
Australia · Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia
Live Ningaloo
SnorkelingSwimmingMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- A$600
- Checked
- Official source
Australia · Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia
Ocean Eco Adventures
SnorkelingSwimmingFamily & kids- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- AUD 648 / person
- Checked
- Official source
Australia · Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia
Three Islands Whale Shark Dive
SnorkelingSwimmingFamily & kids- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- A$620
- Checked
- Official source
Whale shark season
Whale sharks in other countries
Other marine life in Australia
Activities in Australia
- Family water activities in Australia265
- Island hopping and boat trips in Australia202
- Snorkeling in Australia178
- Scuba diving in Australia120
- Swimming in Australia117
- Beaches and water play in Australia110
- Marine life encounters in Australia99
- Surfing and SUP in Australia63
- Kayaking and paddling in Australia54
- Liveaboards in Australia27
Frequently asked questions
Where can you see whale sharks in Australia?
5 operators name the whale shark as a target species. Main regions: WA, Coral Bay and Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia.
Do you have to get in the water to see whale sharks?
Formats on record: swimming, snorkeling and boat-based watching. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.
When is whale shark season?
The 5 operators that state a season for whale shark programs in Australia cluster in Mar–Oct. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.
Will I definitely see them?
No. Whale sharks are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.