Exmouth Whale Watching cruises

Whale watching in Exmouth means humpback whales from June to October and whale shark swims from August to late November on Ningaloo Reef. The cruises and swims here leave from Coral Bay and from Exmouth, so the month and the departure point decide which trip suits you. Browse more of the area on our page for things to do around Exmouth.

Whale watching cruises from Coral Bay

Cruises are the shorter option. Explore Ningaloo's 2.5-hour whale watching cruise runs on a 10m Naiad that sits low to the water, with small groups and local family operators. It departs from the Coral Bay boat ramp, where the crew waits at the passenger jetty, and you can also spot dolphins, turtles and dugongs between humpback sightings.

Coral Bay Eco Tours' 3-hour whale watching cruise uses a multi-level vessel with plenty of room to move around and photograph breaching whales. Humpbacks migrate past between June and October, and champagne, finger food, tea and coffee are served on board. Sessions have run at 10.30am and 11am.

Swim safaris with humpback whales and whale sharks

Both full-day swim safaris from Coral Bay Eco Tours meet at Peoples Shopping Village and begin with a reef snorkel before heading out to find the animals. On the full-day humpback whale swim safari, the crew locates humpbacks on their migratory route and rotates small groups into the water with a guide.

The full-day whale shark swim safari goes to the outer reef to find whale sharks after a first snorkel with turtles, stingrays and reef sharks. Both days include snorkel gear and a wetsuit, lunch, morning and afternoon tea, a photography package, and a glass of champagne with a fruit platter.

Whale shark and whale tours from Exmouth

The Ningaloo Blue full-day whale shark and whale tour runs seven days a week from 7am to 3pm between September and late November. It cruises a 65-foot, two-storey vessel, uses a spotter plane to find wildlife, and offers swims with whale sharks, manta rays and eligible humpback whales when sightings and conditions allow. A smorgasbord lunch, hotel transfers and digital photos are included.

The powerboat whale shark swim with lunch is a 7-hour day in August, September and October, with hotel pick-ups from 7.45am and a return at about 4.30pm. Groups are capped at 20, it includes an underwater photography package, kayak and paddleboard gear, and lunch, and it doesn't run during school holidays.

Cruise or swim: how to choose

Pick a cruise if you want to watch from the deck on a 2.5 to 3-hour trip. Pick a swim if you want to get in the water and have the day to spare, since the swim safaris and whale shark tours are full-day trips.

Then match your dates. Humpback cruises run through June to October, and whale shark swims run from August to late November. If you'd rather mix whale watching with the reef, the Exmouth tours page has snorkelling, kayaking and Cape Range trips for the other days.

Heading elsewhere on the coast? See whale watching on Ningaloo Reef and whale watching in regional Western Australia, or compare with whale watching across Australia and New Zealand.

Frequently asked questions

When is whale watching season in Exmouth?

Humpback whales pass Ningaloo Reef from June to October, according to our Coral Bay cruises, and whale shark swims from Exmouth are listed from August to late November.

Can you swim with whale sharks in Exmouth?

Yes, in season. The Ningaloo Blue tour runs from September to late November, the powerboat whale shark swim runs from August to October, and Coral Bay Eco Tours offers a full-day whale shark swim safari. Swims depend on sightings and conditions.

Can you swim with humpback whales on Ningaloo Reef?

Yes. The Coral Bay Eco Tours humpback whale swim safari rotates small groups into the water with a guide, and the Ningaloo Blue tour lists swims with eligible humpback whales.

How long is a whale watching cruise from Coral Bay?

Cruises from Coral Bay are 2.5-hour or 3-hour trips, depending on the operator.

Where do whale watching tours leave from?

Cruises and swim safaris leave from Coral Bay, from the boat ramp or Peoples Shopping Village. The Ningaloo Blue and powerboat tours include pick-ups from Exmouth accommodation.

What should I bring on a whale watching trip?

Warm clothing, sun protection and a water bottle suit most Coral Bay trips, and non-slip shoes suit the smaller boat. The powerboat swim also asks for swimwear, a towel, photo ID and sea sickness medication.

Pick the month, then the trip. Humpback cruises start in June, whale shark swims run into late November, and the Exmouth page covers the rest of the coast.