All fantastic experiences. But they don\u2019t come close to my new number one pick for the Australian bucket list: Swimming with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef. <\/p>\n
I did it over a month ago and genuinely can\u2019t stop thinking or talking about it. <\/p>\n
My friends and family have staged a mild intervention.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get it, and yes, we\u2019ll book, but can you please shut up with the whale sharks chat?\u201d they say. <\/p>\n
![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/459188bef886bcaf801fe9140462013b388a6a36.jpg\")
Sam with the Nigaloo Discovery team. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n
My sister even compared me to those people on the footpath trying to sign you up to an eight year gym membership. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s my new personal mission to make sure people know just how good swimming with whale sharks is. I\u2019ve even sent a few people the link, encouraging them to \u201cbook before it sells out\u201d. I should be on commission with WA tourism! <\/p>\n
Whale Sharks are the world\u2019s largest living fish and can grow up to 18m. That\u2019s bigger than a school bus! <\/p>\n
I must admit it took me some time (and in-depth googling) to be convinced this was a good idea. In my mind the words \u201cswim\u201d \u201cwith\u201d and \u201csharks\u201d did not sound like fun. <\/p>\n
But they really are gentle giants who pose no threat to humans. <\/p>\n
![\"Swimming](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/76c33df54094f997676eae4baddea7f1685f2040.jpg\")
Swimming with whale sharks has jumped to the top of his must-do experiences. Credit: Bella Jaustin<\/p>\n
Full disclosure, it was a big journey to get there. A flight from Sydney to Perth, another flight from Perth to Learmonth (Exmouth) and then a short drive. Basically a day in transit, but my goodness it was worth it. <\/p>\n
It takes place on the Ningaloo Reef, one of the most spectacular parts of Western Australia and my tour was with the brilliant team at Ningaloo Discoveries. <\/p>\n
It all happened so quickly. I was still putting my goggles on when the captain shouted: \u201cSam, let\u2019s go, you\u2019re in\u201d. Apparently, the whale sharks don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re ready.<\/p>\n
I dived into the ocean (dive is being generous, more of a plummet) and within seconds I could see the enormous dark figure of the whale shark. <\/p>\n
Our tour leader grabbed my arm and threw me closer to the magnificent beast \u2014 close enough to see the detail on this stunning creature. The gills, the fin, the white dots that look like a work of art. Mesmerising. <\/p>\n
Suddenly, I was staring directly into its eyes from less than a metre away. Such a surreal moment I\u2019ll never forget. The whale shark was so calm, just gliding through the water.<\/p>\n
I started swimming, doing my best to keep up. I couldn\u2019t stop smiling, laughing even (which is not recommended whilst wearing a snorkel). I couldn\u2019t believe this was real life. What a mind-blowing experience to be swimming alongside a whale shark in its natural habitat. <\/p>\n
![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b7a7cf1259b58f1a08102a3f288613d4e1f1075b.jpg\")
Sam said he couldn\u2019t stop smiling and laughing the whole experience. Credit: Bella Jaustin<\/p>\n
I still get goosebumps thinking about it. The adrenaline. the beauty. That\u2019s livin barry. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s so quiet down there. So peaceful. An experience I\u2019ll remember for the rest of my life. <\/p>\n
A little warning though, no photo or video will ever live up to what you feel when you\u2019re swimming next to them. I got my photos back and was confused as to why there was a dugong in shot next to the whale shark. <\/p>\n
I zoomed in a little and realised there was no dugong, that\u2019s just me in a wetsuit. Oh boy. <\/p>\n