Can Kids Swim with Whale Sharks? A Parent's Guide to Choosing the Right Option
- Cindy Small
- 18 hours ago
- 6 min read
Planning a Whale Shark tour is one of the most exciting parts of visiting Exmouth, but if you're travelling with young children, you probably have a few extra questions.
One of the most common phone calls we receive at Ocean Eco Adventures is:
"Should we bring our children on the Whale Shark tour?"
The honest answer is…
Only you know your child best.
Every child is different. Some five-year-olds are confident snorkellers who spend every weekend in the ocean, while some teenagers simply aren't comfortable swimming in open water.
Rather than telling families what they should do, we prefer to explain all the options so you can decide what works best for your family.
Before You Book
Before booking your Whale Shark tour, ask yourself these questions:
✔️ Is my child comfortable swimming?
✔️ Have they snorkelled before?
✔️ Are they happy wearing a mask, snorkel and fins?
✔️ Have they spent time swimming in the open ocean?
✔️ Will they enjoy being on a boat for most of the day?
There are no right or wrong answers.
Our goal is simply to help you choose the option that allows everyone to enjoy their day.
Option 1: Everyone Swims with the Whale Sharks
Best for families with confident young swimmers.
We don't have a minimum age for Whale Shark swimmers because we believe parents are the best people to judge whether their child is ready.
We regularly welcome children on our tours, and many absolutely love the experience.
To help everyone feel comfortable, we provide:
Complimentary masks, snorkels and fins
Wetsuits or lycra suits
Floatation vests
Pool noodles for additional support
Experienced guides in the water
One thing many parents don't realise is that the day includes two very different types of snorkelling experiences.
🪸 The Reef Snorkel
Before anyone is allowed to swim with a Whale Shark, all swimmers are required to complete a morning reef snorkel.
This snorkel takes place inside the reef, where the boat is safely anchored in generally shallower, calmer water.
Our guides are in the water throughout the snorkel, making it the perfect opportunity for everyone to get comfortable wearing their mask, snorkel and fins before the Whale Shark swims begin.
It's also a great chance for our crew to ensure everyone is confident in the water and using their equipment correctly.
Getting back onboard after the snorkel is simple too, with guests climbing up the marlin board using a ladder—much like getting out of a swimming pool.
🦈 The Whale Shark Swims
The Whale Shark swims are very different.
Unlike the reef snorkel, the boat is not anchored.
Once the skipper has located a suitable Whale Shark and positioned the vessel, guests need to gear up quickly and move into position on the marlin board, ready to enter the water.
Because Whale Sharks are constantly moving—typically swimming between 1 and 3 kilometres per hour—timing is everything.
The crew work hard to position guests for the safest and most enjoyable encounter possible, but the entry into the water needs to happen efficiently.
Once you're in the water, you'll snorkel alongside one of the world's largest fish while our experienced guides are there to assist every step of the way.
Throughout the day we aim to maximise everyone's time in the water.
Depending on conditions and Whale Shark behaviour, guests can typically expect anywhere between 2 and 8 Whale Shark swims, with each encounter lasting anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes.
Because these are wild animals in their natural environment, every tour is different. Weather conditions, visibility, sea state and the Whale Shark's behaviour all influence how the day unfolds.
Our Best Advice
The children who enjoy the day the most are almost always the ones who have practised beforehand.
If you're planning a Whale Shark tour, spend as much time snorkelling together as you can before your holiday.
The more comfortable your child becomes wearing a mask, snorkel and fins, swimming in the ocean and getting in and out of the water wearing their equipment, the more relaxed and confident they'll feel when the big day arrives.
It's also important to remember that once your child has booked a swimmer's seat, that position has been reserved specifically for them.
If they decide during the tour that they no longer wish to swim, there are no refunds, and a parent or guardian will need to remain onboard with them while the Whale Shark swims take place.
Finally, while we do everything we can to help guests feel comfortable, safety is always our number one priority. Our experienced crew reserve the right to prevent any guest from participating in a Whale Shark swim if they believe doing so would pose a safety risk to themselves, other guests or our crew.
Extremely professional and well run. Kind staff that went out of their way to make sure our daughters (aged 8 and 10) could swim along side the whale sharks. Can’t recommend this company highly enough.
★★★★★ Google Review
Option 2: Book an Observer Seat for Your Child
Perfect for younger children or those who aren't confident swimmers.
Observer seats are available at a significantly lower price than swimmer seats.
Children travelling as observers can still enjoy:
The boat trip
Reef snorkelling during the day
Seeing turtles, dolphins and other marine life
The only activity they cannot participate in is the actual Whale Shark swim.
This is often a fantastic option for families who want their children to experience the day without the pressure of swimming in deep water.
Important Supervision Information
Children under 12 years of age must be supervised by an adult at all times, including during all in-water activities.
This means children under 12 cannot remain onboard unaccompanied while parents are swimming with Whale Sharks.
Our crew are busy operating the tour and cannot supervise children during the Whale Shark swims.
How does this work?
Our Whale Shark swimmers are divided into two groups of ten.
Both parents will be placed into the same swim group.
During the Whale Shark swims:
One parent remains onboard with the child.
The second parent also sits out that swim.
Parents can then swap roles during later swims if they choose.
We cannot place one parent into Group 1 and the other into Group 2.
This is because our Whale Shark tours use a leapfrog system, where one group is often still in the water while the second group is being collected and repositioned for another swim.
At times, both groups are in the water simultaneously, meaning there would be nobody onboard to supervise the child.
Have a flick through the images below to better understand how the leapfrong system works
Option 3: Bring a Grandparent or Friend
One of our favourite solutions for families.
If you're travelling with grandparents, extended family or friends who aren't interested in swimming with Whale Sharks, consider booking them an observer seat.
While you enjoy your swims, your child can stay onboard with someone they know and trust.
This allows:
Both parents to maximise their Whale Shark swims
Children to still enjoy the day on the boat
The whole family to share the experience together
It's a wonderful option that many families don't initially think about.
Option 4: Alternate Days
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.
If your children aren't interested in spending a full day on the water or you'd rather maximise your own swimming opportunities, consider booking separate tour days.
One parent heads out to swim with the Whale Sharks while the other enjoys a fun day exploring Exmouth with the children.
The following day, simply swap.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities around Exmouth, including beaches, playgrounds, short walks and visitor attractions, and our reservations team is always happy to recommend ideas.
Quick Family Guide
Situation | Best Option |
Confident child who loves snorkelling | Swimmer seat |
Child still learning | Observer Seat |
Travelling with grandparents | Grandparent supervises while parents swim |
One parent wants maximum swim time | Alternate tour days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum age?
No.
We leave this decision to parents.
Do children need to be strong swimmers?
Children should be confident in the water and comfortable snorkelling in the ocean.
Practising before your holiday makes a huge difference.
What flotation equipment do you provide?
We provide snorkelling equipment, wetsuits or lycra suits, snorkel vests and pool noodles.
Can my child decide not to swim on the day?
Yes.
However, swimmer seats cannot be refunded if your child chooses not to participate.
Can my child stay onboard while I swim?
Only if another supervising adult remains onboard with them.
Children under 12 cannot be left onboard without adult supervision.
Still Unsure? We're Happy to Help
Every family is different, and there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.
Some children absolutely thrive during their Whale Shark experience, while others are happier enjoying the reef snorkels and watching the Whale Sharks from the boat.
If you're unsure which option is right for your family, we'd love to talk you through it.
Our team can answer your questions, explain how the day works and help you choose the option that best suits your family, so everyone can enjoy an unforgettable day on the Ningaloo Reef.
Continue Planning Your Ningaloo Adventure
If you're planning a Whale Shark tour, you might also find these guides helpful:
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