Swimming with Humpback Whales: What You Should Know

People go from all over the globe to Western Australia to participate in swimming with humpback whales, the largest fish in the ocean. However, other attractions in Exmouth draw tourists as well. Another unique experience that you may experience is humpback whale swim Ningaloo, where they arrive from June to October.

Every ocean on earth is home to humpback whales. With around 40,000 whales traveling along the coastline each year, Exmouth and Coral Bay in Western Australia are  popular destinations for whale viewing. There are just a few spots where you may enter the ocean and swim with humpback whales, similar to swimming with whale sharks. It is a gift to have these incredible marine creatures inhabiting the oceans.

Where and When Can I View Humpback Whales In Ningaloo?

Whale-watching trips start in Exmouth in August and run through October. In Coral Bay, the humpback whale season begins one month sooner. In Western Australia, winter offers the opportunity to see humpback whales in their native environment. Diverse points around Australia’s Coral Coast provide whale-viewing cruises. The whales travel from the Antarctic to the Kimberley Coast between June and October. During their lengthy 11,000-kilometer voyage, they rest in the waters of Ningaloo.

Some of the most excellent viewing locations in the vicinity to see whales breaching the ocean during humpback whale season include Sunrise Beach, Bundegi Beach, and Town Beach. You could see them jumping from the water or doing rolls in midair if you keep an eye out towards the ocean. It’s a breathtaking sight to see.

Accomplish Your Dream of Swimming With Humpback Whales 

Plan your trip accordingly if seeing and swimming with whales is your main objective. Some tour companies in the Ningaloo World Heritage Area are authorized to provide swimming with humpback whales excursions. The regular humpback whale season runs from July through October. Therefore, you can realize your goal if you’re in Exmouth during these months.

Humpback whale swimming trips provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have an actual in-person interaction with one of these majestic animals in the wild. Small groups, often no more than seven individuals, are used on full-day swimming with humpback whale experiences to maximize the thrilling experience. The experience of being so close to them in their natural environment and the memory of your underwater conversation will last a lifetime.

Is It Safe to Go Swimming With Humpback Whales?

It is safe, yes. Even though they are almost the size of a school bus, humpback whales are friendly, lively animals. But remember to treat them with care since they may be unpredictable like other wild creatures. Thus, always abide by the guidelines provided by your travel operator. Before you enter the water, your tour guide will brief you on the “do’s and don’ts.” Please pay attention and appreciate the opportunity to see humpback whales in their natural habitat.

Is There Anything I Should Know About Before I Go?

If there is one key goal you should focus on, it is the humpback whales. Here are some facts about these fascinating animals to help you enjoy your time swimming with them:

  • Humpback whale adults may reach a length of 19 meters and a weight of 40 tonnes. Male and female whales differ in size.
  • The huge hump that appears as a humpback whale dives into the water gives the species its name. They are devoid of a hump.
  • They do amazing acrobatics. They like showing off by breaching (when they raise their whole body out of the water).
  • Instead of teeth, humpback whales have baleen plates.
  • They like eating krill, tiny fish, and plankton.
  • Despite their immense size, Humpback whales are among the giant whales in the ocean. The blue whale is larger.
  • On their top dorsal side, humpback whales are mostly grey or black. Their flippers and bellies both have white undersides. They have vertical wrinkles from their lower jaw to their stomach, called ventral pleats.
  • Each humpback whale has a different dorsal fin, which varies in color and form.

Please keep in mind that these are wild animals, and you must abide by the instructions provided by your tour operator. These rules protect both your safety and the humpback whales. In-water contact with whales only takes place if the whales’ behavior permits tours to take place. Your tour guide will be adept at analyzing their behavior to make sure everything runs well.

A professionally trained team will be on board to ensure you don’t approach the whales too closely. Operators are only allowed to go close to whales from 50 meters. Their first responsibility is to keep a safe distance between swimmers and whales. Because whales, like all animals, may be unpredictable, any disturbance must be kept to a minimum.

Go For It!

We hope that now will be the time for you to add a humpback whale swim and viewing excursion to your bucket list. This once-in-a-lifetime chance is waiting for you right here in Exmouth and Ningaloo, regardless of whether you desire the excitement of swimming with humpback whales or prefer to observe them from the comfort of the boat. The existence of these amazing aquatic animals in the seas is a blessing, and getting to swim with them is a dream come true.