Trip 1 Recap: Whale Sharks, Mantas, and Magic on the Ningaloo Reef

Our third Ningaloo Reef Freediving Retreat just wrapped up and we’re still buzzing.

Over five days, we shared unforgettable moments with incredible ocean life, watched tight friendships form over memories to last a lifetime and soaked up all that this iconic location has to offer.

Whether you're reading this as one of the legends who joined us, or you're dreaming of joining our next freediving retreat in Australia, here's a little look into the magic that unfolded.

Day 1 – Welcomes, Workshops, and Whales on Film

Our crew touched down in Exmouth and kicked things off with an intro to freediving workshop, followed by a welcome brief. As the sun set, we headed to Froth for our opening night dinner and a screening of The Shark Net—a beautifully shot conservation film by Holly Richmond (who just so happened to be helping out on our first boat day too!).

Day 2 – Whale Sharks & High Fives

With spirits high, we boarded a massive vessel and were welcomed by Holly and the rest of the incredible crew. Before we’d even left the harbour, humpback whales were breaching in every direction, like the ocean was rolling out the red carpet for us.

Then came the big one: our first whale shark sighting. The first shark was quick and elusive, but by the end of the day, we’d completed 10+ whale shark drops, swimming alongside 8–9 different individuals.

We also had bonus encounters with:

• A dusky whaler

• A green sea turtle

• A mobula ray

• And a brief but stunning glimpse of an oceanic manta ray

We capped off the day with woodfired pizzas at Whalebone, already glowing from the experience.

Day 3 – Coral Bay & Manta Madness

Day three took us south to Coral Bay, where we joined one of the most experienced skippers in the region. After a quick briefing, we hit our all-time favourite snorkel site: The Maze.

The coral gardens were unreal. Turtles, clouds of reef fish, and vibrant coral formations surrounded us. But then came the highlight: manta rays.

We witnessed multiple barrel rolls and got front-row seats to a manta mating train, where four males chased a single female in a breathtaking underwater ballet.

Day 4 – Dugongs, Dolphins & Glass-Bottom Perspectives

On our final adventure day, we boarded the Ningaloo Glass Bottom Boat for a unique view of the reef. Some of our divers even managed to photograph a dugong underwater—a seriously rare treat

.

We also saw:

• A pod of dolphins

• Giant groupers

• And other Ningaloo Reef megafauna

As we cruised, we learned about the Indigenous history and culture of the area, adding depth to our appreciation of this World Heritage-listed ecosystem.

Back on land, we wrapped up with a photo editing workshop by Brodie and a wholesome games night led by Dani that had us in stitches.

Final Night – Cheers, Hugs & Froth (Again!)

We circled back to Froth for one final dinner, hugs all around, and a few salty tears. The ocean gave us everything we could have hoped for—and more.

We’re missing the crew already and counting down the days until we’re back on Ningaloo’s turquoise waters.

Want to Join the Next One?

Our Ningaloo Reef Freediving Retreats are like nothing else in Australia. We combine freediving, ocean encounters, community, and conservation into one epic trip.

🦈 Swim with whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and more🌊 Freedive the best sites in Exmouth and Coral Bay📸 Level up your underwater photography🌿 Experience Indigenous culture and marine conservation firsthand

Ready to dive into the next adventure? Explore upcoming trips →