Western Australia is preparing for another huge whale shark season, following sightings of the world's largest fish near Exmouth in the State's Coral Coast region.

More than 19,300 people visited World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef in 2014 to get up close with the gentle giants of the sea, who migrate to Western Australian shores between March and August each year to feed on plankton and krill. Whale shark swim tours will begin from Coral Bay and Exmouth from mid-March until August, allowing visitors the opportunity to have a face-to-fin encounter with whale sharks – which can grow up to 18 metres in length.

Tourism Minister Dr Kim Hames said the exhilaration of swimming with these magnificent animals was something you couldn't replicate by watching it on television.

“Visitors will have an experience to talk about for a long time,” Dr Hames said.

Australia's Coral Coast chief executive officer, David O'Malley expects to see more international tourists visit WA's mid-north coast in 2015 to experience the magic of swimming with whale sharks.

“Due to the weakening of the Australian dollar, we're anticipating an increase in overseas visitors signing up to whale shark tours in 2015,” Mr O'Malley said.

“Last year we had the largest number of tours ever to take place in the Coral Coast at 1,133, and a whale shark sighting success rating of 92 per cent.”

Ocean Eco Adventures owner, Marnie Hunt has been running whale shark tours in the region for 20 years and said the number of sightings seen so far this year is a good indication of a successful season ahead.

“We're really excited to kick-off the 2015 season and expect to start our tours from Exmouth in mid-March when there will be large numbers of whale sharks in the region,” Ms Hunt said.

Ningaloo Marine Park's nutrient rich waters are considered one of the best places to swim with whale sharks due to reliability of numbers and accessibility to interact with the leviathans of the ocean.

For further information on swimming with whale sharks and booking a trip to the Ningaloo Coast, visit www.westernaustralia.com. Trips can also be booked through Travelbag (www.travelbag.co.uk / 0871 703 4698 ) and Austravel (www.austravel.com / 0800 988 4834) 

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Notes to editors

At 300 kilometres long, World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef. Visitors can 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.

The annual Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival will celebrate the season with a family festival day, gala cocktail evening, movies under the stars and live music from May 21 to 24, 2015. For more information, visit www.ningaloowhalesharkfestival.com.

Whale shark images and footage are available for media use at Tourism WA's image gallery, www.imagegallery.tourism.wa.gov.au and YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/westernaustralia 

Photo credits to James Morga 

For media or image requests, please contact:

Louise Adlam, PR and Promotions Manager for Tourism Western Australia: ladlam@twa.australia.com / 0207 438 4606