Whales
Book a tourSwim with humpback whales
📍 TantabiddiOne of the only places in WA you can legally swim with humpback whales.
Wildlife encountersNingaloo’s State waters are currently one of the only places in Western Australia where licensed operators can run swim-with-humpback tours. These are full-day boat trips where spotter planes find relaxed whales and small guided groups of snorkellers enter the water for the chance of an encounter.
Expect a wild experience, not a guaranteed one — guides only allow swims with calm, curious whales. Even when swims don’t happen, the day usually delivers surface watching, whale song through a hydrophone, and bonus dolphins, mantas and turtles.
How it works
- Licensed full-day boat tour; spotter planes find calm whales and small groups enter in turns.
Book a tour
Live NingalooLive NingalooThe premium pick — max 7 humpback swimmers on the Life on Ningaloo day: whales, sharks and mantas in one.Tour operator
Three Islands Whale Shark DiveThree Islands Whale Shark DiveHumpback swims August to mid-October, with the same spotter-plane setup as shark days.Tour operator
Ningaloo DiscoveryNingaloo DiscoveryIn-water humpback encounters Aug–Oct by powerboat, max 7 swimmers per group.Tour operator
Kings Ningaloo Reef ToursKings Ningaloo Reef ToursEco Sealife day with licensed in-water humpback encounters, Aug–Sep peak.Tour operator
Independent listings.
More info
Part of
Humpback whale watchingMarine wildlifeMore to do at Tantabiddi
- Tantabiddi lagoon snorkelLagoon snorkelling by the northern boat ramp, with sanctuary-zone moorings a paddle away.
- Whale shark swimSnorkel alongside the world’s biggest fish on the outer reef.
- Manta ray swimHover above the reef as resident manta rays bank and barrel-roll below.
- Outer-reef snorkel tourGlass-bottom and outer-reef snorkel tours over the coral gardens.
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