Go niche

ANYONE COMPILING a list of the natural wonders they’d like to experience – or is it just me? – will surely want to add “swim with the whale sharks of Ningaloo” to their list.

Somewhat overlooked thanks to its Great Barrier Reef counterpart, Ningaloo is one of the world’s largest fringing (as opposed to barrier) reefs, stretching 260km off Western Australia’s north coast, near Exmouth.

Every year from April to July, following the mass spawning of coral, one of the biggest species of fish in the world – said whale shark – congregates there.

Estimated to live to between 70 and 100 years, these guys grow to 18m (60ft). Despite their size, they are gentle giants who don’t just tolerate divers and snorkellers, they’ve even been known to play with them.

The reef is also home to 250 species of coral and over 500 other species of fish. That’s one big riot of underwater colour.

And all you have to do to be immersed in it is wade out from the beach – at its closest point the reef is just 100m from the shore.

There is any number of companies offering to take you snorkelling, diving or kayaking. Opt for a glass bottomed boat tour and you don’t even have to get your toes wet.

Still, it would be a shame to go all that way and miss the whale sharks, which is why most of the dive operators have a “no sighting policy”. If you don’t see a whale shark today, you can go out again tomorrow for free.

Just don’t get too cocky, simply because a whale shark doesn’t have teeth.

A smack from a tail this size will finish you off just as quickly.