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If you haven’t had any luck finding Nemo, then we’ll give you a bigger target to look out for. The largest fish in the entire world – the gentle whale shark – has been spotted at Western Australia’s World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park, officially marking the start of the 2026 season.
Whale sharks – harmless filter feeders that can grow up to 18 metres in length – migrate to the shores of Ningaloo Reef (the world’s largest fringed reef) every year between March and August to feed on plankton and krill. Last week, the first sightings were recorded – made even more remarkable by surprise sightings of manta rays and a pod of ten orcas, including two calves.
In 2025, a record-breaking 41,000 whale shark swims took place at Ningaloo, with even higher numbers expected this year. Swimming with these super-sized spotted sharks is a bucket list adventure for Aussie locals and tourists alike, with Ningaloo Marine Park being one of the only places on Earth where you can have a face-to-fin encounter. However, protecting these gentle giants is the top priority, with only 11 whale shark tour operators granted licenses to run tours for a maximum of ten swimmers at a time.
This year's first whale shark tours have kicked off with local operator Ningaloo Discovery and will run through to August, with trips departing from Coral Bay and Exmouth. The boats work in tandem with spotter planes that scope out the best positioning for groups to swim with the sharks.
Sarah Ellis from the Ningaloo Discovery Team said, “What makes it even more special is how mysterious these creatures are. Little is known about the whale shark. A human has never seen a female whale shark give birth; and where they give birth, as well as where the young pups hang out remains a mystery. Adults are often found feeding at the surface, but they dive to depths of 1,000 metres.”
If you’re lucky enough to swim with the spectacular sharks, also be on the alert for Exmouth’s other visitors like humpback whales (June to October), giant manta rays, dugongs and spinner dolphins who drop by all year round.