Exmouth Whale Shark operators - any recommendations?

[Divehappy]

Hi all

I'm heading off to Exmouth to see the whale sharks in May with my dad for his 60th birthday. After 45 years of diving he's seen pretty much everything except whale sharks, so this should do the trick!

I went to Exmouth as a backpacker around 3 years ago and remember there are only a couple of operations there - Exmouth Diving Centre were the guys I dived with.

My question is - are there any more whale shark spotting operators now in Exmouth, and is there any "luxury" options available? Being on a smaller boat with less people would be preferable if possible. Any suggestions, info etc on current Exmouth operators welcomed.

Thanks
Chris

 

[justleesa]

Aloha Chris!

I would recommend Exmouth diving Centre, one of the owners is here on the board...Alcina, drop them a line, great people!
Tell them I said HI

Aloha,
Lisa

 

[almitywife]

im sure Alcina will be here soon to give some advise but first you should go to my sig and click to vote now and VOTE FOR EXMOUTH

 

[alcina]

Hi! Sorry I missed this thread earlier.

There are several operators in Exmouth offering trips to see the whale sharks. Most operators run with a maximum of 20 passengers though there are a couple who have much smaller vessels and so take a smaller number. You trade off "luxury" of a bigger vessel to have fewer numbers on board for the day. For me, a larger boat with more shade, seating, open deck space and creature comforts like a dry cabin and "comfortable" toilet are important.

There are only ever ten people, plus a spotter, in the water with the whale shark at any one time and usually this group splits in half once in water and the whale shark swims down the middle. Works pretty well. And as the tour goes on, snorkellers may drop out so there are fewer and fewer people hitting the water, too!

There are more operators running from Exmouth than there are from Coral Bay; only three operate from Coral Bay. So you may have fewer boats in line for a single shark should only one be found during the day. On the vast majority of days this is not an issue, but it's worth knowing.

You can hire a vessel from one of the whale shark operators privately, if your funds allow. It isn't cheap, but it does get you the whole boat to yourselves, your crew to yourselves and only your group in the water at one time!

If you do the whale shark from Exmouth, most operators offer the opportunity to do a single reef dive during the tour, too. You cannot do this from Coral Bay.

All interaction with the whale sharks themselves is done on snorkel.

May is traditionally very good for sightings from both areas, so I would choose the location that offers more of the other things you want to do.

Hope this helps! Let me know as you have more question