Dive Global can help you enjoy the very best in global diving. Contact our experts at Dive Global to
make sure you get the most out of your dive trips, every time. Plan a Trip Today...
Conserving Whale Sharks
Western Australia is privileged to be the only place in the world known to be visited by the mysterious whale shark (Rhincodon typus) on a regular basis.
Each year, just days after the mass spawning of corals on the Ningaloo Reef (near Exmouth) in March and April, whale sharks appear in the waters along the front of the reef, remaining for up to a month. It is thought that they come to feed on an explosion of marine life that feeds on the coral
spawn. Most of these visiting whale sharks are immature males. It remains an intriguing puzzle why this particular section of the population visits our coastVisit MarineBio.com for more on Whale sharks.
Whale Shark Research Group
Family Name: Rhincodontidae
Common Name: Whale shark
Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus
Adult Size: Up to 30 to 40 feet (9-12m)
Habitat: Open water interior and exterior of reef.
Occurrence: Common
Food Source: Plankton
more...
Sharks.org
The Shark Research Institute is a non-profit, international, scientific organization dedicated to the conservation of sharks. The Institute conducts
and sponsors multidisciplinary research projects throughout the world. more...
|
Diver's Tales aims to bring you the extraordinary in dive spots around the world. Experience the special, the mystical off-the-beaten-path places not
yet known to everyone. Enjoy!
Our Diver's Tale this month... Exmouth, Australia
Diving with the Whale Sharks in Exmouth Go to Exmouth and swim with the largest fish in the ocean! From March to June each year the Whale Sharks converge on the nutrient rich waters
of the Ningaloo Reef.
The North West Cape in Western Australia is surrounded by the Ningaloo Reef which is one of the world's largest fringing reefs. This intricate reef
system stretches over 260 km and, at some points, is only metres from the beach. The Ningaloo Reef is home to a myriad of marine life, including
one of the rarest, and the largest fish in the world - the Whale Shark. These leviathans, of up to 18 metres in length, are regular visitors
to the Ningaloo Reef from March to June, when the plankton rich waters draw them close to the reef in search of food.
Whale Sharks are only one of the many seasonal visitors to the Ningaloo Reef.
Humpback Whales are in the area from June until the end of November.
Manta Rays can be seen along the reef from May to November, feeding
on the plankton rich water. As summer arrives, so do the Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill turtles to begin their nesting season after their mating
season in October to November.
Add the bio-diversity of 250 species of corals and over 450 different species of fish to the previously mentioned attractions and it makes Exmouth
an impressive diving destination.
Exmouth, Australia, which is a small town of about 3,500 people, is situated
just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, about 1,270 km north of Perth.
 The Exmouth Diving Centre
has been operating for many years. It is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development (IDC) Centre and offers a complete diving service, from Open Water Dive courses, through to a Whale Shark Specialty course and Diving Instructor
Training. Exmouth Diving Centre operates 3 fully surveyed dive boats, giving you access
to a great range of dive sites around the North West Cape.
The area has an average winter temperature of 25 degrees centigrade, while the summer averages 35 degrees. Luckily, Exmouth has no wet season, so the summer days are low in humidity.
The nearest airport is called Learmonth, just 35 km south of Exmouth. A shuttle bus (about AUS $14) meets each flight arriving and departing from the airport. Taxis are also available. Exmouth (Learmonth airport) is serviced with daily flights from Perth on Skywest, a division of Australia's
Ansett Airlines. Charter flights: Another option is to fly at your convenience to meet the whale sharks. Charter flights are available through Kookaburra Air from Perth including free hotel transfers. Aircraft range from three passenger high speed single and twin engine light aircraft (with a flight time of four hours) to a private jet with a flight time of one hour. Prices start from $550 return per person plus pilot's accommodation costs.
Remember, 12 hours rest is required after scuba diving (not applicable to snorkeling) prior to your return flight. For further information
visit the Kookaburra Air website or contact Kookaburra Air directly by e-mail.
Other options include driving by private or rental vehicles or catching the Integrity or greyhound long distance bus from Perth.
Send us your Diver's Tale!
|