Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth and Coral Bay - Western Australia's Coral Coast

Whale Sharks - Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth and Coral Bay

Whale Sharks - Every year from April to July following the mass spawning of coral, the world’s biggest species of fish, after slowly passing through the tropical waters of the oceans, congregate in the Ningaloo Marine Park.

The chance to snorkel with these gentle giants is the opportunity of a lifetime and visitors from all over the world head to the Ningaloo Reef during Whale Shark Season.

The whale shark is the giant, slow swimming king of the fishes. It is the world’s largest living fish with a length of more than 12 meters (largest accurately measured specimen). These massive filter feeders, normally about 8 to 10 metres long, are distinctive in appearance. Covered in a contrast of light dots over a darker body. Apart from its huge size, the whale shark is externally characterized by a broad, flattened head, very large mouth and very large gill slits.

The whale shark is one of three very large filter feeding shark species that primarily rely on planktonic prey for food. They cruise the world’s ocean to feed. Ningaloo Reef is one of the only places they appear regularly in large numbers.

Day tours to snorkel with Whalesharks depart daily during the season from both Exmouth and Coral Bay. The experience is open to confident swimmers of all ages. Visit the Tours section for Swimming with the Whale Sharks.

Each year Exmouth celebrates the arrival of some spectacular visitors to Ningaloo Reef. Known as the ‘gentle giants’ of Ningaloo. The Exmouth Whale Shark Festival marks this event with an official opening to the whale shark season that extends April to July. During this period, locals and tourists from afar swim with the sharks, enjoying what has become a unique world class eco-tourism experience with a wild marine animal.

More in-depth information on the Whale Sharks can be read at;

http://www.nht.gov.au/nht1/programs/mspp/whaleshark.html
http://www.deh.gov.au/coasts/species/sharks/whaleshark/
http://www.ningalooblue.com.au/whale_sharks.htm

Naturally Ningaloo DVD contains footage collected over many years and countless hours in the water. It gives a good look into the underwater world of the Ningaloo Reef. The Ningaloo Reef is 260 km in length and contains over 200 different species of corals and 500 different species of fish.

Available from Ningaloo Reef Teach

Above Whale Shark image courtsey of Juergen Freund © Freund Photography www.freundfactory.com

Photography by Paul Wags and Kelly Ritchie © Wags Dive at Ningaloo Reef Teach www.ningalooreefteach.com