I recently had the incredible opportunity to go swimming with the whale sharks in Exmouth Western Australia, while aboard Ocean Eco Adventures luxury Vessel Latitude 22, it honestly was an experience of a lifetime. I cannot recommend this activity highly enough, as it was truly awe-inspiring and left me with memories that I will cherish forever.
When stepping aboard you notice instantly how the boat is comfortable, spacious and fully equipped with all the necessary amenities. The tour itself was incredibly well-organized, A big thanks to the crew, Ollie, Madi, and the two Bec’s (AKA Potsy & Davo) as they made sure that everyone felt comfortable and at ease throughout the experience. They provided snorkelling gear and wetsuits, which allowed us to fully enjoy our time in the water. I felt confident and reassured knowing that I was in capable hands.
Once we set off on the boat, it was clear that the crew was not only skilled but also passionate about what they do. Our skipper, James, was incredibly talented at navigating the boat and finding the best spots to encounter whale sharks. His knowledge of the local area and marine life was impressive, and he shared fascinating facts and stories throughout the day, enhancing our experience.
Lunch was delicious and they offered a variety of fresh and healthy options, catering to different dietary requirements. The food was not only tasty but also beautifully presented, adding a touch of luxury to the whole experience. It was a pleasant surprise to have such a high-quality meal on board.
The crew provided clear instructions on how to approach the whale sharks respectfully and made sure that everyone had equal chances to swim alongside these magnificent creatures and also ensured Ollie captured an image of each person. We also were blessed with many hump back whales while in transit to and from the reef…incredible!
In addition to the whale shark encounter, Ocean Eco Adventures also provided snorkelling opportunities in the stunning Ningaloo Reef. The crew guided us to the best spots, pointing out various marine species and explaining their behavior. It was a truly awe-inspiring experience to witness the vibrant coral reefs and the abundant marine life that call this area home.
If you're looking for a whale shark tour in Exmouth, Western Australia, Ocean Eco Adventures is hands down the way to go.
I honestly just had the best day and needed to share this!
Thank you Ocean...
Read moreAmazing day yesterday swimming with whale sharks on the ningaloo reef with Eco Ocean Adventures. Pictures included with the tour so I didn't even bring my phone out once from the waterproof tub allocated to keep your things dry. It was lovely to just be present in the moment.
We swam with 9 different whale sharks, biggest one was 7 meters! (Biggest fish species in the world) Turtles, manta rays oceanic manta rays and a million insanely cool looking fish We also saw a tiger shark when on the boat and a reef shark when snorkeling.
The crew were incredible and so knowledgeable. Breakfast was served as soon as we were on the boat, variety of cereals, hot tea and coffee, toast with different condiments to go with it. Then you get the safety induction and an idea of what you'll be doing, then its off snorkeling in the ningaloo reef to see some great sights and get a feel for the equipment and make sure your ok in the water. After that it's off to find some whale sharks. They crew have a dedicated plane in the sky looking for them so its pretty reliable that you will see at least one probably more. When it's time to get in the water two groups are formed so that there aren't too many people in the water with the animals at any one time. We were in the water with 9 different sharks at different sites for about 90 minutes. After that it's an absolutely delicious and healthy lunch on the boat served buffet style. We had time for a 10 minute snorkel while lunch was getting prepared so it was a bonus treat to see a reef shark. Then it's a leisurely cruise to the Dock with an ecology talk telling us all about the coral and conservation efforts from Jimmy, one of the company directors. Best experience and well worth the money. Cannot fault a single thing.
Definitely a huge highlight...
Read moreWhat an awesome day😲. Not sure why we chose OEA from the many whale shark tours on offer in Exmouth (it wasn't the cheapest of all the tour companies), but we're so glad we did. Jamie and his crew were so knowledgeable and professional and made sure that every person on board had an amazing and safe experience. Pick up in Exmouth for the transfer to the boat ramp was punctual, the boat was amazing; modern, safe, functional. The food (breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a drink on the way back) was beautiful and plentiful. The crew and skipper (Jamie, the owner of the business) were so 'customer focused'; nothing was ever too much trouble. Every one of them had some degree/qualification in the marine sciences and were passionate about the environment and ecosystem and it showed. They clearly had their 'game plan' down-pat, they worked together as a team and the day went like clockwork. One massive drawcard for choosing OEA is that they have and exclusive partnership with a spotter plane company, where I think others all share information from one or two planes. This meant that while a large group of your boats were congregated in the same area, we were out away from them and had the whale sharks to ourselves. We were lucky to have amazing weather and calm seas (early July) and were constantly in the water with multiple different whale sharks, swimming up close with these huge, gentle and incredible animals. The tour far exceeded our expectations. I could not think of anything OEA could do better. The day was a Christmas gift to my partner and I totally nailed it😉. What a day!!! If you are considering a whale shark tour in Exmouth, you can't go wrong here. ... and no, I have no affiliation at all with this company and I do not know anyone...
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