Adventures in Western Australia

Whale Sharks of Ningaloo

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The breathtaking and remote coast of Western Australia is a paradise of white sands, turquoise seas, and an outrageous array of exotic wildlife from tiny penguins to whale sharks 45 feet in length. With our inimitable Trip Leader Ron Leidich, a marine biologist, we travel the length of this spectacular coast taking in the absolute best of its natural history wonders. Sea kayaking in crystal-clear waters, wonderful hikes, beach and boat snorkeling, unbelievable birding, and dolphin and dugong encounters are all features of this natural history adventure. Our grand finale is Ningaloo Reef, with a chance to snorkel among amazing whale sharks (the world’s largest fish), one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in the world.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-2
Perth / Kings Park / Penguin Island

From Perth we head out for a day at unique Penguin Island, a miniature Galápagos with huge breeding colonies of Australian pelicans and other seabirds. The world’s tiniest penguin—the little blue—nest in colonies here, and we can walk right up to them for great photos.

Days 3-4
Monkey Mia / Francis Peron National Park

Monkey Mia is our accommodation on the shores of turquoise Shark Bay, a World Heritage Site of lagoons, islands, and pristine coves. We take a catamaran journey into the crystalline waters to look for wild dolphins and get close looks at dugongs, the gentle and giant mammals that graze on the sea grass. A pod of wild bottle-nosed dolphins regularly swims in the shallows in front of our lodge, and we wade right among them for amazing up-close encounters. In Francis Peron National Park, with its dramatic red-rock cliffs, we explore by 4WD and enjoy an Aussie barbecue under the stars at a former sheep station.

Days 5-7
Coral Bay

We head up to Coral Bay, a notch in a long coastline backed by dunes and desert. Coral Bay is on the edge of Ningaloo Marine Park, created in 1987 to protect Western Australia’s largest coral reef. It is a unique area because the reef is so close to the landmass. Here we have our first boat excursion in search of massive whale sharks and other-worldly manta rays. Our boat uses the help of spotter planes to locate these giant creatures, and we can slip into the water to swim and snorkel among them. They take little notice of us, but for us it will be an extraordinary experience! Later, a catamaran journey brings us to the bay’s best snorkel sites, including a shallow-water shark “cleaning station” where brave little wrasses dive in and out of sharks’ mouths to remove parasites. With the reef so close to the shore, we should see a large variety of coral and fish life. One hundred and seventy hard corals, 11 soft corals, and 475 species of fish have been recorded at Ningaloo Reef.

Days 8-10
Ningaloo

Ningaloo Reef is a remarkable biosphere stretching nearly 200 miles. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo is not separated from the coast by a wide expanse of coastal water. It takes just a few kicks of our fins to get to this reef, with its 500 species of fish and 220 species of corals. We head out to enjoy Ningaloo’s best snorkeling sites, exploring from deserted beaches with the reef just meters from shore. One day we explore by chartered boat for a grand whale shark finale. These huge creatures swim gently and near the surface, so all we need is a snorkel and mask to mingle among them for a spine-tingling wildlife adventure. Overnights are at a beach camp in tents.

Days 11-12
Perth

Return to Perth and depart on Day 12.

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Tour Costs $5995 (12 members) $6295 (10-11 members) $6695 (8-9 members) Single supplement: $750 Internal airfare: $750 (subject to change) *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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