Humpback Highway in Full Swing Along Australia’s Coral Coast _Press Release

The yearly migration of humpback whales is now in progress, with roughly 45,000 individuals moving along Western Australia’s coast annually, ranking among the planet’s biggest whale movements. The first sightings of the season herald the return of one of nature’s most remarkable wildlife displays along Australia’s Coral Coast.

This week Coral Bay Eco Tours marked its inaugural humpback‑whale swim of the season, and Ningaloo Discovery logged its first sighting off Exmouth, confirming that the migration has reached Ningaloo.

From July through November, guests can observe these majestic creatures up close, and in certain tours even swim with them. Ningaloo Reef stands alone in Western Australia as the sole site offering guided humpback‑whale swim experiences, delivering an immersive encounter within the clear waters of the UNESCO‑listed World Heritage reef.

“Each humpback‑whale swim is distinct, and in my view it can rank among the most reciprocal interactions possible in the water,” said Ellie Farquhar, photographer for Coral Bay Eco Tours.

“These creatures are highly intelligent, so a successful swim signals their openness to engage with us, turning each encounter into a genuine privilege.”

Tours kicked off on July 1 in Coral Bay, while Exmouth operators are gearing up to start their season in August. The humpback‑whale window overlaps the tail end of

Ningaloo’s whale‑shark season, offering the chance to see two of the area’s biggest marine animals on the same trip.

Ningaloo also hosts the famed Ningaloo Big 5 — whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, turtles and dugongs — making it one of the rare global spots where visitors can encounter such a remarkable array of marine megafauna in a single location.

“Few wildlife moments rival the thrill of meeting a humpback whale in its natural habitat,” said Kelly Leonard, Marketing & Tourism Development Manager for Australia’s Coral Coast.

“It’s an experience that lingers long after you exit the water. The coinciding humpback‑whale and whale‑shark seasons make this period one of the most spectacular times to explore Ningaloo and its celebrated Big 5.”

For those who would rather stay on deck, whale‑watching cruises run all season from Exmouth, Coral Bay, Kalbarri and Geraldton, providing superb views of breaching whales, tail slaps and playful calves from aboard a vessel.

As the humpback‑whale season is now underway and demand is forecast to stay high through winter and spring, travelers are advised to book tours and lodging early.