What an extraordinary experience. Once in a lifetime! After our Exmouth bus pickup, 21 tourists were transported to the marina on the west coast of the peninsula to board our boat for a full day adventure. We were briefed, provided with full body suits (stinger, sun protection etc), snorkel gear & then entered the water inside the reef for the 1st of 2 snorkel swims. The boat then headed outside the reef in a northerly direction in search of whale sharks. A bonus was also seeing a humpback whale breaching! We were split into 2 groups, each group had a leader (marine biologist). A minimum 3m distance was to be maintained. After 35-40min, we found our 1st whale shark. On the command of Go, Go, Go… group 1 jumped into the water and were lined up to view the whale shark up close. As the whale shark was swimming at a constant speed we needed to swim to keep up. What I did not realise was how “fast” the whale shark was moving ie I had to swim hard to keep up! After 15 minutes we were directed back to the boat while group 2 were swimming with the whale shark. We would do this 2 more times. Exhilarating and exhausting. For the record the average age on board was 30-35, I was definitely the oldest, another person was 50+(?). Lunch was served while we headed back inside the reef for the 2nd snorkel swim… coral, colourful fish, stingrays and more to view.
…blessed to live and travel in Australia
