4 Places to swim with amazing sea creatures

Whale Sharks in Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef is an incredible aquatic environment filled with an amazing diversity of seasonal marine life ranging from colourful corals and reef fish, manta rays, turtles, whales and dolphins to the world's largest fish, the magnificent whale shark. Between late March and July the award winning Three Islands Whale Shark Dive specialises in whale shark snorkelling adventures with professional, friendly staff ensuring each tour is operated to the highest standard giving a magical marine wildlife experience. This unique adventure begins with a reef snorkel before moving to the outer reef for the star attraction, the Whale Sharks.

Snorkel with the Whale Sharks, Three Islands Whale Shark Dive

Seals in Port Lincoln

Set off on an unforgettable underwater adventure in beautiful Port Lincoln. These fascinating puppy dogs of the sea will welcome you to the crystal clear waters of Seal Cove. Watch them as they bound out to the boat with excitement to begin their awaited performance. These inquisitive sea mammals will engage you in their underwater production. Summersaults, back flips, and graceful swirls will fascinate and amaze you. The leaps and twists out of the water right in front of you - truly electrifying! Join the Australian Sea Lion and become part of their underwater playground.

Sharks at Seaworld, Gold Coast

This experience gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with sharks and other marine life, while accompanied by a qualified Shark Bay diver. You will swim in Shark Bay’s reef lagoon as smaller whitetip and blacktip reef sharks swim around you. There is also an opportunity for you to look through to the Shark lagoon to see the larger Sharks which are just a window length away. Each dive is an educational experience and all participants must hold a current Diving Certificate and will receive their very own souvenir photo taken by a professional photographer.

Shark at Seaworld, Gold Coast

Dolphins at Mornington Peninsula

Join the team at 'Moonraker Dolphin Swims' as they take you on a snorkelling experience like no other. Snorkel with resident Bottlenose Dolphins, swim alongside cheeky Australian Fur Seals, explore underwater marine parks filled with colourful fish and join the search for weedy sea dragons. Tours depart Sorrento Pier just 1.5 hours from Melbourne on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula. Tour activities include morning or afternoon tea, all snorkelling equipment, wetsuit and guided snorkel tour with marine naturalist.

Moonraker Dolphin Swim, Victoria

Five Extraordinary Facts about Western Australia

1. Perth is Australia's sunniest capital city, with the most hours of sunshine each year. 

2. Western Australia is more than 2.5 million square kilometres, which is about the same size as Western Europe. 

3. Perth is the only Australian city where you can see the sunset over the Indian Ocean. 

4. Humpback and Southern Right whales call Western Australian oceans home between June and December each year. 

5. The Margaret River Region in the South West of Western Australia is home to more than 220 wine producers, 100 cellar doors and produces more than 25% of Australia's premium wine.

Western Australia is ON SALE until 4 May - visit our hot deals here.

Top 10 Extraordinary Experiences in Western Australia

1. See the world's only staircase to the moon in Broome.

2. Catch a ferry to a local favourite holiday spot - Rottnest Island. Here you can bicycle around the coastline, snorkel in azure waters or just relax upon the many white sandy beaches.

3. See the largest collection of wildflowers on Earth during the southern hemisphere spring (September to November) at Stirling Range National Park.

4. Get a taste for the real outback in Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields and learn about the area's wild past as a gold rush town in its heritage buildings and museums. Try your luck and pan for gold!

5. Swim with the majestic Whale Sharks from Exmouth on a full day cruise. Between April and June the world's biggest fish visit Ningaloo Reef.

6. Feed the local wild dolphins at Monkey Mia on the Coral Coast. These playful creatures love to interact with humans and are comfortable eating out of your hand!

7. See the amazing tidal movements that create Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef. The areas is only accessible by boat and allows you to discover waterways like Prince Regent and Hunter River that only fortunate few have seen.

8. Take a scenic flight over the magical beehive domes of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park.

9. See the world's largest man-made lake - Lake Argyle. Best viewed from the air, you will also fly over the world's largest pink Argyle diamond mine.

10. Explore Margaret River's 100 wineries and gourmet food experiences from cheese to chocolate produced in-store. The area is also home to the state's best surf beaches.  

For assistance booking your Australian holiday contact Sunlover Holidays on 13 88 33 (from Australia) or +61 7 3535 4550 (International).

Western Australia's Whale Sharks

Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience and swim with the world’s largest fish. Whale sharks, known for their spotted pale yellow/white pattern of spots and stripes, average a length of 9.7 metres and weigh over 9 tonnes. They are filter feeding sharks that feed mainly on plankton, so humans are in no danger interacting with the sharks.

Whale Shark

A slow moving, docile creature, reaching up to a speed of 5km an hour, humans can easily jump in and swim alongside to view the grace and beauty of these gentle giants. During April to July tourists can snorkel or scuba dive with the whale sharks in the Ningaloo Marine Park from Exmouth.

Snorkelling with Whale Shark

Join a full day cruise including buffet lunch, use of snorkelling equipment and wetsuits. The best tours offer a spotter plane to assist with sightings, allowing you considerably more time in the water to swim with a whale shark. Other marine life that can be spotted during the tour include turtles, manta rays, fish and coral. It will be an exhilarating experience you will never forget!

Ningaloo Reef

For those wanting to make their Coral Coast holiday unique, stay in the exclusive safari camp of Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef. Hidden in Cape Range National Park, the property offers coral reef snorkelling just metres offshore. Packages include coach transfers from Exmouth, all meals and select open bar beverages daily.

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef