WHALE SHARKS
Whale sharks are the largest fish in the oceans!
SPECIES DETAILS
Scientific name:
Rhincodon typus
Habitat:
Tropical & warm temperate ocean and coastal waters
Population:
Estimated 130,000 to 200,000 globally
Conservation status:
Endangered (Protected in Australia)
Australian distribution:
WA, NT & QLD
INFORMATION
Whale sharks are the largest non-mammalian vertebrate, only some species of whale are larger.
Individual whale sharks average over nine metres (30’) in length and can weigh up to nine tonne (10 tn). The largest recorded was 12.65 metres (41.5’) long.
They are filter feeders, feeding on small marine organisms such as krill and plankton.
These large, long-living, slow-moving pelagic fish inhabit the world’s warmer tropical and sub-temperate open seas, and have been known to live for 70 years.
Whale sharks are docile and non-threatening, and diving with these magnificent gentle giants of the deep is absolutely exhilarating.
Ningaloo Reef is one of the most accessible places in the world where humans can interact with whale sharks.
The start of the Ningaloo whale shark season coincides with the annual March/April coral spawning season, and runs for around four months.
A whale shark experience is an absolute must for any underwater adventurer!
Interactions with whale sharks are seasonal, please check with the local dive services provider.
Ningaloo Whale Sharks is one of Australia’s 50 Great Dives! READ MORE
Special thanks to Simon Buckingham of Three Islands Whale Shark Dive.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
No, snorkelling only
Snorkelling:
Yes, phenomenal!
Access:
Boat only (Full day experience)
Depth:
Varies, interactions are surface based
Visibility:
5 – 18 metres (15-60’)
Water temperature:
24 – 28°C (75-83°F)
Seasonal:
Yes, March to October (April & May best)
2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.
DIVE SERVICES
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
OTHER SERVICES
POT SHOT HOTEL RESORT
561 Murat Road
Exmouth WA 6707
+61 (8) 9949 1200
reception@potshotresort.com
www.potshotresort.com
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
