I’ve spent time with some of the most awe-inspiring creatures in the world – hanging out with polar bears in the Arctic Circle, rounding up buffalo in the Rocky Mountains, and swimming with giant turtles in Vanuatu.
However there’s nothing quite like swimming with wildlife off the Australian coastline, in that special silence that only comes with being underwater.
Swim with seals at Montague Island
You can swim with seals year-round at Montague Island Nature Reserve, off the far south coast of New South Wales near Narooma. It’s hard not to fall in love with their goofy behaviour and cute-as-a-button faces.
Montague Island is described as Australia’s answer to the Galapagos Islands due to the wild array of marine life. You’ll not only swim with seals, but also see grey nurse sharks and rays. Make sure to bring your camera along.
Stay: A typical holiday apartment in Narooma is $200 a night.
Play: Montague Island Adventures has a four-hour guided island tour and seal swim. Refreshments, wetsuits, and snorkelling gear are provided for $165.
Cost: Around $365 for a weekend getaway.
Getting there: Narooma is a 40-minute drive from Moruya airport.
Swim with dolphins at Eyre Peninsula
Coffin Bay, located in the heart of the Eyre Peninsula, is home to Burrunan dolphins, a species of bottlenose known for their playful personalities and beauty.
On a tour with Sunset Charters, you won’t be feeding or pursuing them. Instead, dolphin interactions are ethical, making for an authentic experience where you can witness the dolphins behaving as they would in the wild.
Stay: For fully self-contained accomodation just across from the beach, Coffin Bay Beach Units offers cabins starting at $110 a night.
Play: The Sunset Charters Dolphin Swim Tour runs for five hours. Wetsuits, snorkelling gear, hot deck showers, and all meals and snacks are included for $295.
Cost: Around $550 for a weekend getaway.
Getting there: Coffin Bay is a 45-minute drive from nearby Port Lincoln Airport.
Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
One of the most jaw-dropping wildlife encounters in the world is swimming with whale sharks at World-Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu).
Despite having the “whale” in its name, these animals are in fact sharks, making them the largest fish in the ocean. At around 12 metres in length, they move slowly and gracefully, going no faster than five kilometres an hour.
With their artfully spotted bodies and enormous filter-feeding mouths that look like giant smiles, it’s a joyful experience to see one of these amazing creatures in clear waters.
The best time to go is March to July when the whale sharks migrate, and there is plenty of other incredible marine life to see along the reef.
Stay/Play: For a luxe, off-the-grid adventure, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef Safari Camp offers the chance to wake up next to the largest fringing World Heritage-listed coral reef in the world.
A three-night, four-day package for $3,615 per person includes all meals, a whale shark snorkel experience and transfers from Exmouth airport.
Cost: There are several operators offering whale shark swims for around $400-$500.
Getting there: It’s a 45-minute drive from Exmouth Airport to Sal Salis.
If you enjoyed our story about swimming with wildlife, discover seven other wonderful creatures of Australia and where to find them here.
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