This is prime-time Bucket List territory.
If you can manage to get yourself over to the Western Australian coast, about 1200 kilometres north of Perth, you can tick off one of those do-before-you-die experiences. I'm not in the habit of giving orders, but if there's anything I'm going to make you do, is go swimming with the Whalesharks at Ningaloo Reef.
Gentle giant, Ningaloo's juvenile whaleshark
Sunset over the water, Coral Bay, WA
These gorgeous big spotty giants of the open sea are the coolest customers on the planet. They'll lumber past you and your little group of wide-eyed hyperventilating snorkellers without a care in the world.
They're after a feed and it's not you, so you can relax and enjoy the spectacle from the obligatory four metres away. Mind you, Mr Whaleshark hasn't read the brochure so he doesn't know the rule about keeping four metres distance, so if he turns without indicating, you may find yourself having to back-pedal out of his way. We paid $365 each in '09 with Coral Bay Adventures. They did a brilliant job.
Afternoon's haul
Approaching Coral Bay
Swimming with the whaleshark (froeground)
Landing at Coral Bay's Maud Landing airstrip
You can base yourself at Exmouth but, with Stawell Aviation on their Pilbara Safari in May '09, we landed and stayed three nights at Coral Bay which is perhaps the last remaining 1960s style unspoilt seaside town in Australia.
It's all about the water, so you can feed the snapper each afternoon on that beautiful beach, snorkel to your heart's content anywhere on the reef, go deep sea fishing, or just chill and do nothing.
Checklist:
Airstrip: Coral Bay/Maud Landing (YCOY) Details in AOPA National Airfield Directory & Pilots Touring Guide
Fuel: Learmonth (YPLM) details in ERSA
Whale Shark & Snorkelling expeditions:www.coralbayadventures.com.au or www.ningalooreefdive.com
Accomm, Coral Bay (beachfront, ideal): www.ningalooreefresort.com.au