Whale Shark Swim, Champagne Lunch

Full-day whale shark cruise from Coral Bay: a reef snorkel first, then out to sea to find the whale sharks. Lunch, tea, a glass of champagne and a photo package are included; the DPaW park fee is extra.

Overview

This full day trip with Coral Bay Ecotours runs from the shop in People's Park Shopping Village on Robinson Street in Coral Bay, setting off at 07:30 and returning to the same spot roughly 8 to 9 hours later. The core of the day is the whale shark safari: a spotter plane goes up to locate the animals, then the crew directs the boat to them and takes swimmers out in the water alongside. One reviewer described swimming with a whale shark twice in a single day.

The wildlife is not limited to whale sharks. That same reviewer's group encountered a manta ray in the morning and watched a feeding frenzy on the homeward leg, with the captain stopping the boat so everyone could take it in. A tour escort or host is on board throughout, and the tour takes a maximum of 20 travellers.

Food and drink are part of the package: a glass of champagne, coffee or tea, lunch, and afternoon tea are all included, along with a photo package, so there is no need to pay extra for images of the day. Hotel pickup is not included, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point. A Department of Parks and Wildlife fee is payable before departure, which is an extra cost on top of the booking. The tour suits people with moderate fitness who are comfortable swimming in open water.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Coral Bay EcotoursCheck in at Shop 4, People's Park Shopping Village, Robinson Street, Coral Bay, next to Fins Cafe. The tour starts at 07:30 and the DPaW fee is payable prior to departure.
2. Board the safari boatThe day on the water covers about 7 hours aboard, with a tour escort or host included on the trip.
3. Morning wildlife spottingThe boat heads out with the spotter plane searching overhead. One reviewer reported a manta ray encounter in the morning before the whale shark search began.
4. Whale shark swimsOnce the plane locates a whale shark, swimmers are taken into the water with it. One reviewer's group managed two separate swims.
5. Lunch and afternoon teaA glass of champagne, coffee or tea, lunch, and afternoon tea are served on board during the day.
6. Homeward legThe return run can bring more sightings; one reviewer described the captain stopping the boat so passengers could watch a feeding frenzy.
7. Return to the meeting pointThe activity ends back at the Coral Bay Ecotours shop, roughly 8 to 9 hours after the 07:30 start.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points are worth knowing before booking this trip, from the extra government fee to the pace of a long day on the water.

• Getting there. Hotel pickup is not included. Travellers make their own way to the Coral Bay Ecotours shop in People's Park Shopping Village on Robinson Street for the 07:30 start.
• Extra fee. A DPaW fee is payable prior to departure, at 20 dollars per adult and 10 dollars per child. This is separate from the tour price.
• Food and drink. Lunch, afternoon tea, a glass of champagne, and coffee or tea are all included. One reviewer praised the food on board.
• Fitness and pace. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness and notes that travellers should have no heart problems or other serious medical conditions. The day runs 8 to 9 hours, so stamina matters as much as swimming ability.
• Group size. The tour takes a maximum of 20 travellers. A tour escort or host is on board throughout the day.
• Photos included. A photo package is part of the booking, so there is no need to buy images separately. This covers the day's photographs.

Common issues. The tour needs good weather and a minimum number of travellers to run; if it is cancelled for either reason, the operator offers a different date or a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time get no refund, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The DPaW fee is payable prior to departure, and hotel pickup is not provided. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the swimming itself requires moderate fitness and no serious heart or medical conditions.

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