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Routes · Oceania

Madrid to Western Australia: Perth and Exmouth for Ningaloo's whale sharks

Madrid → Perth → Exmouth (Ningaloo)

Perth
"Perth_CBD_skyline_from_State_War_Memorial_Lookout,_2023,_04_b.jpg" by File:Perth CBD skyline from State War Memorial Lookout, 2023, 04.jpg: Kgbo derivative work: Georgfotoart, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Whale sharks Best season (general guide): Mar–Jul (most reliable Apr–Jul)

Ningaloo Reef, off the remote north-west coast of Australia, is one of the few places where whale sharks reliably gather close to shore, and you can swim beside them on licensed tours. This route spends a few days in Perth and then flies north to Exmouth. From Madrid you'll connect via Asia or the Gulf to Perth.

Perth has the beaches of the Indian Ocean, the large Kings Park overlooking the river, and Fremantle's markets and historic prison. A ferry crosses to Rottnest Island, home of the quokka. Exmouth is on the North West Cape, between the reef and the gorges of Cape Range National Park. The Ningaloo Coast is listed by UNESCO for its fringing reef and marine life. Snorkelling straight from the beach is possible at Turquoise Bay and other spots, and whale shark tours spend the day at sea looking for the animals.

Whale sharks are generally seen from about March to August, with the most reliable months from April to July. Humpback whales pass along the coast later in the winter. Summer on the cape is hot.

Book whale shark tours early for the peak months, and follow the operators' rules on distance. Use reef-safe sunscreen and carry plenty of water on Cape Range drives.

How to pace it: three nights in Perth let you recover from the long flight from Madrid and visit Fremantle and Rottnest. In Exmouth, four nights give you a spare day in case the whale shark trip is postponed for weather, and time for Cape Range and the snorkelling beaches. Distances on the cape are large and there is little shade, so plan driving in the cooler parts of the day and watch for kangaroos and emus on the road at dawn and dusk.

Suggested outline

  1. Madrid

    Start

  2. Perth

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    A sunny city on the Swan River with Kings Park, the port town of Fremantle and a ferry to Rottnest Island.

  3. Exmouth (Ningaloo)

    By air · 4 nights suggested

    A small town near the Ningaloo Reef, reached via Learmonth airport. Boat tours go out to swim with whale sharks in season.

    Ningaloo Coast
    "Ningaloo.jpg" by Eugene Regis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Perth — Arrive; Kings Park· Madrid → Perth (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Perth — Fremantle
  3. Day 3 · Perth — Rottnest Island
  4. Day 4 · Exmouth (Ningaloo) — Fly to Learmonth· Perth → Learmonth (by air), then Learmonth → Exmouth, Ningaloo (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Exmouth (Ningaloo) — Turquoise Bay snorkel
  6. Day 6 · Exmouth (Ningaloo) — Whale shark tour (season)
  7. Day 7 · Exmouth (Ningaloo) — Cape Range gorges
  8. Day 8 · Exmouth (Ningaloo) — Travel home from Exmouth, Ningaloo· Exmouth, Ningaloo → Learmonth (overland), then Learmonth → Madrid (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Perth

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Plan the trip: Perth

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Exmouth (Ningaloo)

Nearest airport: Learmonth Search fares · Learmonth ↗

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