Ningaloo Humpback Whales: Things You Need to Know When Swimming With Them

  • 20/02/2023
  • bagas
  • No Comments

To get up close and personal with some of the ocean’s largest inhabitants, swimmers from all over the world flock to Western Australia. Tourists go to Exmouth and Coral Bay for more than simply the chance to swim with Ningaloo humpback whales. Between June and October, Ningaloo plays host to the annual migration of humpback whales, a sight unlike any other.

How Can You Best Witness Ningaloo Humpback Whales?

Sunrise Beach, Bundegi Beach, and Town Beach are three of the most recommended places to watch humpback whales during the season when they are present in the area. These beaches provide some of the best opportunities to see whales breaching the water’s surface, which may be a spectacular sight. If you keep your eyes open towards the ocean, you might be able to catch a glimpse of them leaping out of the water or executing rolls in the air while they are in the air.

Will You Have the Opportunity to Swim With Humpback Whales in Exmouth?

Yes! Ningaloo humpback whale swimming excursions are offered by a variety of different tour companies within the Ningaloo World Heritage Area since these companies all hold licences that allow them to do so. If watching whales and swimming with them is the primary aim of your trip, ensuring that the timing of your activities is just right is of the utmost importance. When it comes to the humpback whale season, the months of July through October are typical. As a result, there is a possibility that your wish will come true if you are present in Exmouth during the months that were previously specified.

Swimming tours with Ningaloo humpback whales provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a genuine real-life interaction with these gorgeous creatures in their native habitat. These tours allow participants to swim alongside the whales in their natural environment. Participants in these activities will be able to swim in the same waters as whales. 

Full-day tours that include swimming with humpback whales are often led in groups that are on the smaller side so that participants can get the most out of what is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. Your time spent swimming next to them and being in such close proximity to them in their natural habitat will remain ingrained in your mind for the rest of your life, and you will never forget those experiences.

Is It Okay to Swim With Humpback Whales?

The correct response is that there is no danger involved. Despite the fact that they can grow to be as enormous as a school bus, the Ningaloo humpback whales are social animals that are friendly towards one another. Bear in mind, however, that you ought to treat them with respect because, just like any other wild species, they are unable to foresee the behaviour that they will exhibit in any given situation. As a result, you should make sure that you always observe the guidelines that have been established by your travel operator. 

Your tour guide will go over the “dos and don’ts” with you and give you some advice before you enter the water so that you can have the best experience possible. Please pay close attention and savour the one-of-a-kind opportunity to view humpback whales in the environment in which they naturally occur.

What Are the Dos and Don’ts When Swimming With Humpback Whales?

Please keep in mind that these are wild animals, and you are required to obey the rules that have been outlined by your tour operator. The purpose of these rules is to ensure both your health and safety as well as the Ningaloo humpback whales. The whales are in charge of how the tours are run, and any in-water interactions with the whales will only take place if the whales’ behaviour permits it. 

In order to ensure that the experience goes smoothly, your tour operator will be competent at reading and interpreting the behaviour of the other guests. A staff that has received specialised training will be on hand to keep you from approaching the whales at an unsafe distance. It is only permissible for operators to approach whales from a distance of up to 50 metres. Their number one responsibility is ensuring that there is enough space between the swimmers and the whales for everyone’s safety. Whales, like other forms of animals, can be unpredictable; therefore, any disturbance should be kept to a minimum.

Several Facts Regarding Humpback Whales

  • Adult Ningaloo humpback whales have been known to reach lengths of up to 19 metres and weigh up to 40 tonnes. Male whales tend to be smaller than their female counterparts.
  • The name “humpback whale” comes from the huge hump that forms on the animal’s back when it arches as it descends into the water. They do not have a hump on their back.
  • They are acrobats of remarkable skill. The act of releasing their entire bodies out of the water, known as breaching, is one of their favourite ways to display their athletic prowess.
  • Instead of teeth, humpback whales have plates of baleen in their mouths.
  • They especially enjoy eating krill, plankton, and smaller fish.
  • Even though they are massive, humpback whales are not the largest whales found in the ocean. Blue whales are bigger.
  • Humpback whales have primarily grey or black colouring on their upper dorsal side. The undersides of their bellies and flippers are white in colouration. They have creases that extend vertically from their lower jaw to their stomach, and these creases are referred to as ventral pleats.
  • Each individual humpback whale has its own distinct colouration and shape for its dorsal fin, which is located on its back.

Conclusion

This once-in-a-lifetime adventure is waiting for you right here in Exmouth, and it gives you a chance to swim with Ningaloo humpback whales if you want to feel the rush of adrenaline that comes with doing so, or you can observe them from the comfort of a boat if you prefer. We will do everything in our power to ensure that you have a whale of a good time.