Western Australia is expecting another huge whale shark season following sightings near Exmouth in the State’s Coral Coast region.
Last year over 19,300 people visited the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef to get close to the world’s largest fish. These gentle giants of the sea migrate to Western Australian shores between March and August every year to feed on plankton and krill. These krill and other tiny sea creatures swarm to Ningaloo Reef to feast shortly after the coral spawning.
Whale Sharks are a species of shark. They are harmless to humans as they are filter feeders. A 12-month whale shark weighs around 11,000 kg with a mouth of more than a metre wide. They can grow up to 18 metres long. Those you get to see at Ningaloo Reef are mostly juvenile males between four and five metres.
You get the opportunity to an upclose encounter with the whale sharks from Coral Bay and Exmouth from mid-March till August. Ningaloo Reef in Ningaloo Marine Park is 300 kilometres long and is also the world’s largest fringing reef. You can walk straight off the beach and snorkel in the underwater wonderland which is filled with brilliant coloured coral, manta rays, sea turtles and more than 500 species of tropical fish.
Last year, the Department of Parks and Wildlife approved a licence for Charter 1, a fifteenth business to operate whale shark tours at Ningaloo this year. Tours will start from Exmouth from 10 March 2015. Visit www.charter1.com.au for more information.
You can also visit the annual Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival and enjoy in the festivities that include a family festival day, gala cocktail evening, movies under the stars and live music from 21 to 24 May 2015.
Qantas offers two 1 hour 50 minute flights between Perth and Exmouth.
