Swimming with the Whalesharks

Swimming with the Whalesharks.
The excitement was building as we waited for the tour bus to pick us up. As we headed for the boat ramp our tour guide told us about the massive array of radio towers that are located at the tip of Cape Range. It turns out that they are part of the US Navy Submarine Comunication System which uses Ultra Low Frequency to communicate with their subs even if they are underwater. As interesting as it was it wasn't why we were there. We had been told to expect 4m swells so we had taken some anti seasickness medication. We arrived at the boat ramp and jumped into the zodiac and headed out to the boat. When everyone was on board we were kitted out with snorkeling gear and wetsuits. An informative lecture on whalesharks followed before we headed for our first stop where we practiced rapid water entry for when we come 
across a whaleshark. We had a leisurely snorkel before heading back to the boat and some morning tea. This was the kids second go at snorkeling and they did really well. We saw turtles and heaps of fish. Dad was looking around for the tartare sauce. As we headed beyond the protection of the reef it got rougher and we were thankful of the Qwells we had taken earlier. It wasn't long before we got the call we were waiting for " Whaleshark ". We geared up and lined up on our butts facing the stern of the boat. The spotter went in the water to make sure it wasn't a different non-plakton eating shark and the next thing we hear is GO GO GO. This was our signal to make like a bucket full of eels and slither off the boat. We entered the water with a rough idea where the whaleshark was. Nothing prepares you for the first encounter. Out of the gloom comes this massive shape moving with unhurried grace and beauty. My first thought is " goodness me it is huge" or words similar in meaning.  My next thought is " I hope Angus doesn't look like plankton". We move to the side of this magnificent creature and swim beside it for as long as we can keep up with it. A multitude of smaller fish swim below it using the whaleshark as protection or catching a free ride in it's bow wave. As this gentle giant of the deep pulls away from us we wait to be picked up by the boat reliving this surreal experience with our fellow swimmers. We clamber back into the boat and compose ourselves for our next encounter. After another swim with this whaleshark it takes it's leave and dives down where we cannot follow. Shortly after this a manta ray is spotted. We flow out of the boat but are unable to find it. We return to the boat out of breath and a bit disappointed. However it isn't long before we line up again and swarm back into the ocean. Marie has a bit of a fright when she isn't met by the manta ray she was expecting, but a 5.5 metre whaleshark that was heading straight for her. She was caught between the boat and the shark and had nowhere to go. As a result Marie had the closest view of a shark that day ( lucky girl ). This shark had nothing better to do and was happy to swim slowly along giving us a wonderful experience. All to soon it was over and without realizing we had spent 1 hr 10 mins in the water with these amazing creatures. We had swum with 3 whalesharks ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 metres long.  As the swell was getting worse we headed back to the shelter of the reef where we had lunch. We were amused when the first mate informed us of the rules of lunch. ' Ladies first, followed by the blokes and then the crew, normal portions first and only after everyone has had something can you have backpacker sized portions.' After lunch we had another snorkel before heading back to shore and then back to Exmouth. This experience was one of the major highlights of our trip and Marie and I are so proud of our kids for their enthusiasm and effort. This is one of those family times that will be forever etched into our memories.