The 11 Best Swim With Whales Experiences

1.Swim with Whale Sharks in the Ningaloo Reef: 3 Island Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $444Our pick

Spend about eight hours on Ningaloo Reef, following a spotter plane to whale sharks and stopping to snorkel with turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and more. Three Islands supplies gear, meals, drinks, a safety tender, hotel transfers, and underwater photos, with a maximum of 20 people aboard.

“Amazing experience! The crew was dynamic, competent, interesting and friendly. All day was very well organized and respectfull for the whale sharks and their environment. Thank you!”

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2.Cancún: Swim with Whale Sharks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 380 reviews · 7 - 7.5 hours · from $160

From May to September, join EcoColors Tours for a small-group whale shark trip from Cancún. Guides such as Omar, Arturo, Naara, and Alex lead the snorkel sessions, with lunch, drinks, gear, and a swim near Isla Mujeres included. Dolphins, turtles, and manta rays may appear along the way.

“They guys were absolutely lovely and explained everything and OMG we’ve seen quite few whale sharks such an amazing experience swimming with them, although I was a bit scared at first! I’d go back and do it again 😊”

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3.Whale Dream ltd – Whales watching and swim with dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 308 reviews

Leave Rivière Noire at 6am with Whale Dream’s crew, using a hydrophone to find sperm whales, pilot whales, humpbacks, or dolphins. You may swim only with dolphins, then snorkel with provided gear. The private boat fits up to four and includes snacks and soft drinks.

“Good and trustworthy company for the whales tour. They are taking deposits from clients so you know for sure that the trip will take place. Other companies are often cancelling the trips last minute so Whale Dream is a safe choice. 😊”

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4.Swimming with Whales in Moorea (Half Day tour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 264 reviews · from $305

Spend about four hours on a Moorea Expedition boat searching for humpback whales from July through late November. You may enter the water with whales, dolphins, rays, or sharks. Guides such as Johnny, Joe, and Laura provide safety instructions, but you must be a confident open-water swimmer.

“This was an amazing experience from pick up to drop off. Taxi was on time at resort and super pleasant. Johnny and his captain were tremendous, safety was a priority for the whales and participants. He explained everything wonderfully and offered in both French and English. We were able to make two entries into the water the first with a mom and two calves and the second the same, except from the boat you could see there were two pods meeting up. The captain and Johnny navigating to the second entry point was amazing to watch — how they understood the ocean, whales and movements. We didn’t focus on taking…”

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5.Whale Tour – Observe and swim with whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 257 reviews · from $270

Spend about four hours off Moorea searching for humpback whales, dolphins, sharks, and turtles. Guides such as Joaquin, Carlos, Tamuti, Ike, Alfred, Amo, and Mankato have been praised for spotting animals and guiding swimmers. Expect small groups, snorkeling gear, water, and a possible lagoon stop with stingrays and reef sharks.

“These guys were amazing. They are very friendly, and professional. The tour was really nice, and fun, everybody of the crew were in a good mod making the ride very pleasant. The tour pick up us on time. Gave us snorkeling equipment. They explain everything that we were supposed to do, and not to do (both in English and French). Also they have a profissional photographer that you can buy photos and videos at the end. Makes our life so much easier, and your experience so much better, totally worth it. 10/10”

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6.Swim with humpback whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · from $264

Set out from Moorea at 8:30 am with Corallina Tours for three to four hours on the lagoon and open ocean. Guides such as Francesca and Tamahere lead whale swims, then take you to rays and black-tip sharks. Snorkel gear and water are included.

“Although we saw whales, it's unfortunate that the whales were constantly moving, so we couldn't swim together with them.”

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7.Swimming with the Whale Sharks – Ningaloo Reef (Exmouth)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · from $451

Spend about 6 to 8 hours aboard Ningaloo Blue from Exmouth, with two or more guided snorkel sessions, reef wildlife, lunch, gear, and hotel transport. Whale sharks are sought from April to August, humpback whales from September to November. Crew members Brad and Spencer have been praised for their calm, friendly guidance.

“A great day out with plenty of sightings/ swims with whale sharks and even a close encounter with a humpback whale and calf! Particularly lucky to have had smooth seas and little wind. All making it a fantastic day.”

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8.Private tour observing and swimming with humpback whales in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · from $1,640

Spend four hours aboard Mana’hau with guides such as Nicky, Fabien, Lolo, or Lingee, seeking humpback whales from July to November. Swim or snorkel with marine life, visit Moorea’s bays, and try the towed subwin board on a private trip for up to eight people.

“Such a wonderful experience with our guide, Nicki, and her father! Knowledgeable and personable, they geared the trip to our needs and wants. We never felt rushed as we snorkeled with stingrays, sharks, and turtles. And you cannot beat the scenery!”

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9.Swim with Humpback Whales – Ningaloo Reef – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $430

Spend about eight hours with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive at Ningaloo Reef, using a spotter plane to locate humpbacks and other wildlife. Crew members including Sarah, Mel, Amy, Nos, and pilot Tif provide gear, meals, safety help, photography, and guided snorkel time.

“Excellent crew, great lunch and Awesome experience. With a double wamm of snorkelling with a whale shatk”

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10.Swim with Whales in Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · from $80Best value

From Southport, you’ll board Game Changer for a two-and-a-half-hour search for humpback whales. You can swim or watch from the deck. Wetsuit, life jacket, and snorkel gear are supplied, but the whales decide if and when they come close.

“was such an amazing experience, don’t they if you they don’t come straight away! they do end up coming and it is such and amazing experience we even saw some dolphins! just be prepared if the waves are choppy !”

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11.Whale shark encounter Private tour – swim with whale shark cancun

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $975

From Playa del Carmen, you’ll ride by private boat toward the whale shark area, snorkeling in small rounds of two people with one guide. Guides such as Jane, Abraham, and Nuria are praised for safety and marine knowledge. The day also includes breakfast, refreshments, Isla Mujeres, and hotel pickup.

“An unforgettable private whale shark tour! 🌊 From the moment our guide Abraham and Armando picked us up in Playa del Carmen to the smooth return ride, everything was perfect. Captain Antonio and Steven made us feel safe, cared for, and made sure our sons (3 & 8) had an amazing time—whether swimming with whale sharks or enjoying from the boat.”

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