Celebrating yearly whale shark visit
A big fish needs a big festival and as far as giants of the ocean go, they don't come much bigger than the whale shark.
Measuring up to 20m and weighing as much as 20 tonnes, these sharks also demand a four-day festival be held at Exmouth each year to celebrate their arrival at Ningaloo Reef.
The Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival will feature live music from the likes of Morgan Bain and Fingers' Mitch Cullen.
There will also be motocross displays, float parades, beach and family activities, and of course, the chance to swim with whale sharks.
A gala opening night on Friday will be hosted at the Novotel Ningaloo Resort, where guests will have the chance to dress up and mingle while enjoying canapes and drinks to the sounds of The Sunshine Brothers.
Tourism WA chief executive Stephanie Buckland said the growing popularity of the festival was a testament to the hard work of event organisers.
"The unique festival plays an important role in helping to promote Ningaloo Reef and its extraordinary tourism experiences, such as swimming with the whale sharks, to national and international visitors through a number of events," she said.
"Not only is Ningaloo Reef one of the world's largest fringing reefs, it is also the best place to swim with the whale sharks because of the clarity of the water and regularity of the gentle giants.
"Visitors can also walk straight off the beach and snorkel in the underwater wonderland swarming with brilliant coloured coral, manta rays, sea turtles and more than 500 species of tropical fish."
Ms Buckland said visitors should also take the opportunity to explore the gorges and canyons of Cape Range National Park while in Exmouth.
Exmouth Visitor Centre spokesman Ben Knaggs said the festival highlighted the Exmouth community's relationship with the yearly visit of the whale sharks to the Ningaloo coast.
"The Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival's primary objective is to bring together community members, visitors, Government departments, business and industry to strengthen their relationships whilst enhancing education and celebration of the whale shark and its annual visit to Ningaloo," he said.
"The Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival also celebrates all that the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef and Ningaloo region offers environmentally, culturally and artistically.
"The festival promotes sustainability and environmental responsibility throughout this unique and naturally stunning part of the world."
Whale shark tour operators are also expecting a busy day out on the reef on Sunday, May 24.
Most tour operators in Exmouth are offering a discounted price for those wanting to swim with the sharks.
Contact the Exmouth Visitor Centre for information on the festival and accommodation.
