Whale sharks' arrival sparks excitement for 2016 season

Ningaloo Reef

Western Australia is preparing for another successful whale shark season, following sightings of the world's largest fish at Ningaloo Reef in the State's Coral Coast.

More than 20,834 people visited World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef in 2015 to get up close with the gentle giants of sea, who migrate to WA shores between March and August each year to feed on plankton and krill.

Whale shark swim tours will kick-off from Coral Bay and Exmouth from mid-March until July, allowing visitors the opportunity to have a face-to-fin encounter with the friendly giants - which can grow up to 18 metres in length.

For the first time in WA, visitors experiencing a whale shark tour will also have the opportunity to swim with humpback whales, who migrate through the waters of Ningaloo Reef between July and October each year.

Interactions will be completely on the whale's terms, so if the humpbacks behaviour and the weather allows, there will be the chance for tour participants to have a genuine wildlife encounter in the water.

Department of Parks and Wildlife Whale Shark Conservation Officer, Dani Rob hopes to see more travellers visit WA's mid-north coast in 2016 to experience the magic of swimming with whale sharks.

"Last year we had a total of 1,181 tours taking place in the Coral Coast, and a whale shark sighting success rating of 92 per cent,” Ms Rob said.

“We're excited to welcome the first whale sharks of the season and look forward to a successful 2016 season.”

Ningaloo Marine Park's nutrient rich waters are considered one of the best places to swim with whale sharks due to reliability of numbers and accessibility to interact with the leviathans of the ocean.

At 300-kilometres long, World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef. Visitors can walk straight off the beach and snorkel in the underwater wonderland swarming with brilliant coloured coral, manta rays, sea turtles and more than 500 species of tropical fish.

The annual Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival will celebrate the season with a family festival day, gala cocktail evening, movies under the stars and live music from May 25 to 29, 2016.

For more information, visit ningaloowhalesharkfestival.com. For further information on swimming with whale sharks and booking a trip to the Ningaloo Coast, visitwesternaustralia.com.