World's most extraordinary fish arrives at Ningaloo Reef!

The largest fish in the ocean - the mighty whale sharks - have made an early appearance this week at Ningaloo reef on Western Australia's Coral Coast.

Whale sharks, which can grow up to 18 metres long, normally visit Ningaloo between early April and early July each year following the mass spawning of coral in the pristine waters of Ningaloo Marine Park.

Easily accessible from shore, Ningaloo Reef is the largest fringing reef in the world and one of the most biodiverse. Its unique attributes have attracted national and worldwide attention including a recent nomination for World Heritage Listing.

Ningaloo is considered to be one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks - due to the clarity of the water and the experience of local tour operators.


Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef


Visitors can swim with these huge but docile creatures by joining one of the specialist whale shark tour boats which operate out of the small coastal towns of Exmouth and Coral Bay.

There's also plenty of other marine life to discover at Ningaloo Reef and, unlike many others, you can get to it just by stepping off the beach.

If you don't want to get your feet wet, take one of the glass bottom boat tours or on land explore the rugged Cape Range National Park by 4WD.