For many of us, heading up to Australia’s Coral Coast to swim with whale sharks, humpback whales, and/or manta rays, is a bucket list item we’re keen to tick off ASAP.
The 2025 whale shark season is now upon us — during a recent scenic flight, Ningaloo Aviation spotted the first two whale sharks for 2025.
Public tours have now commenced for visitors eager to swim with the world’s largest fish. So this is your cue to start booking your trip north to see these giants and experience some of the world’s best beaches that the Coral Coast is known for.
Australia’s Coral Coast CEO, David O’Malley, emphasised the region’s growing reputation as a premier destination for marine interactions — “Ningaloo offers one of the best whale shark experiences in the world, and we’re expecting another record-breaking year. To make the most of this once in a lifetime experience, we strongly encourage visitors to book early.”
Here are some images courtesy of Ningaloo Discovery to inspire your next trip:
When is the best time to book a trip?
The Coral Coast is full of attractions year-round so there’s never a bad time to go. However, to make the most of your trip, these are the best times to catch the ‘Ningaloo Big 5’ — whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whales, dugongs, and turtles.
- Whale sharks — March to July
- Manta rays — All year round
- Humpback whales — June to October
- Dugongs — All year round
- Turtles — All year round
About the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area
The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area is home to Australia’s largest fringing reef, stretching 300km from Red Bluff to the Muiron Islands. Unlike other reef systems, Ningaloo’s shallow waters allow visitors to snorkel right from the shore, offering unparalleled marine encounters in a pristine environment. Ningaloo is a globally significant marine ecosystem recognised by Mission Blue in 2019 as a global Hope Spot, and one of the few places in the world where whale sharks gather predictably each year.
