Seasons

Cruise Ningaloo Seasons

The Ningaloo has an abundance of wild and marine like that can’t be found anywhere else. There is always something amazing to see at any time of the year.

Cruise Ningaloo is the only, water operator to offer tours and charters all year round. Allowing you to go places and see things truly out of the ordinary.

It is a fact that you can visit the Ningaloo at any time of the year and be surprised by what you see. To help you plan a trip that ticks all the boxes on your bucket list, we have put together a seasonal guide to what may encounter but don’t be surprised if you see more.

November – February

Turtle Season

While turtles are plentiful all year round. November to February is when we can observe the reproduction of the species. From October Green and Loggerhead turtle can be seen do what mature loving turtle-like to do. Through November – January the female turtles return to their nesting place to lay their eggs. These eggs will hatch 2-3 months after resulting in a cascade of little hatchling scrambling to the sea. For me truly a bucket list moment.

During this period you could also possibly see Manta-Ray, the shy and elusive Dugong, sea snakes shark Minke whales and if you are really lucky you may spot one of the orcas that visit the gulf during the summer.

All of these months offer good sailing opportunities and are a great time to visit the remote island that fringe the gulf. Exmouth can be hot at this time of the year but temperatures can be 5-10 degrees cooler on the water.

March – July

Whaleshark Season

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in our oceans.

Their diet mainly consists of plankton, microscopic animals, and plants drifting throughout the sea. They feed by taking in big gulps of plankton-rich ocean water with its wide mouths, keeping the food in, and filtering out the remaining water through its gills.

Their food is one of the main reasons that attract these gentle giants in Ningaloo waters.

Every year the full moon in March and other variables create the conditions for a special event that equals a big oceanic feast: mass coral spawning.

Masses of krill and other tiny marine creatures swarm on the reef to feed on the spawn released from corals, attracting larger visitors, such as whale sharks, that arrive to join the banquet.

Even if sightings are highly more frequent from March to July, whale sharks have been spotted in Exmouth Gulf and surroundings even during the summer months, suggesting they may congregate here more than previously assumed.

You are also likely to see Humpback whales from June on their migration to give birth to new calves. Other likely sightings during this period, Manta Ray, Dugong, Dolphin, sea snakes shark. One other significant species to look out are the incredible intelligent Orca who visits during this period to take advantage of the abundance of food available to them.

All of these months offer good sailing opportunities and are a great time to visit the remote island that fringe the gulf. Just like Perth this region receives its best swells during the winter months. Take your pick of uncrowded beach, reef, or island breaks.

August – October

Humpback Season.

The largest humpback whale migration happens right here in Western Australia. Every year a population of well over 35000 whales migrates from the food-rich waters of Antarctica to the warm waters of Northern Australia where pregnant female humpbacks give birth.

Exmouth Gulf is of particular importance for humpback whale mothers, since its warm, shallow, and enclosed waters provide them with a quiet nursery area where they can nurture their calves, regain energy to continue their migration back South, and play.

Out in the Gulf waters, you can have the luck of witnessing a humpback mother taking care of her calve, male individuals, showing off and singing to a fertile female to conquer her for the next breeding season, and admiring all the different behaviours of these extremely intelligent mammals.

After a few months, once the young have grown enough and gained energy, whales will start heading back to their Antarctic feeding grounds, where they will complete their 7000 km journey, the longest mammal migration on Earth.

Many other species of whales are occasionally sighted in Exmouth Gulf and surroundings, including Blue Whales, pigmy Blue Whales, Southern Right Whales, False Killer Whales, Bryde’s whales and Dwarf Minke whales.

You could also possibly see During this period Manta-Ray, the shy and elusive Dugong, Sea Snakes, Dolphin and of course our friends the Turtles

This a brilliant time of year to explore the southern gulf Island. The spend the night anchored within in sight of up to 20 Humpback whales. Marvel at their majesty as they teach, play, socialize and sleep. Cap all of that of as you listen through our hydrophone the male choir of whales share their songs.

You might also be lucky enough to see any of these on your trip with us!

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