Swim with Sharks

Head to Western Australia, one of the best global spots to see the world's largest fish in a natural setting, for whale shark snorkelling

- Grace Ma

NINGALOO, Australia — "Here it comes! Let's go!" shouts Ms Olivia Dixon, our guide from Three Islands Whale Shark Dive (whale sharkdive.com). We jump off the boat, kitted out in wetsuits, flippers and snorkels, as Ms Dixon lines us up in a row, ready to swim next to an incoming whale shark.

A rush of fear gives way to awe as I swim alongside the huge speckled grey shark, gliding languorously just beneath the surface of the ocean. Occasionally, it opens its mouth for planktonic feed.

I am in no danger. To these harmless filter feeders, humans are friends, not food.

Such tours have been increasing in popularity around the world. Three Islands is among the specialist operators in whale shark and humpback whale tours in the Unesco World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, the world's largest fringing reef stretching nearly 260km along Australia's north-west coast.

In 2024, nearly 40,000 people travelled to coastal towns Coral Bay and Exmouth to swim with whale sharks during their annual migration season between late March and August. Three Islands' director Adam Moir says there has been a nearly fortyfold increase in demand for whale shark snorkelling in the last 30 years.

NO FEEDING ALLOWED

Western Australia's north-west coast is known as one of the best global spots to see the world's largest fish in a natural setting.