See and swim with 10 wild Australian sea animals
Last updated on April 2nd, 2025 at 01:10 am
Australian sea animals are amazing – everything from whale sharks to dolphins, sea lions, dugongs, whales, sharks and penguins! Not to mention all the fish and – oh yes crocodiles and jellyfish! Don’t worry – this post will make sure you avoid those gnarly critters!
If you want to swim with these beautiful Australian sea animals – the whale sharks, sea lions, sharks, seals or dolphins, and, if you want to see penguins or whales this guide will give you, not every spot to do this, but the best spots to make your underwater dreams come true!
First – A Quick Guide to help you plan your trip
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Internet – get a highly rated yesim eSim before you go – click here for yours
Accommodation – book a hotel with booking.com or Tripadvisor, or, a hostel with Hostelworld
For the best walks get AllTrails so you have offline maps to guide you.
Car rental – compare prices and get the best deals with Rentalcars.com
Tours and Activities – find the best tours with GetYourGuide or Viator. These are my top picks for you:
- 5 Night / 6 day Ningaloo Reef Ningaloo Escape from Coral Bay – for your fix in this amazing UNESCO marine area
- Moreton Island: Dolphin and Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise
- Swim with the Dolphins Tour
- Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition
- Swimming with whale sharks
Now lets get to where to see and swim with these 10 fantastic Australian sea animals:
1. Where to see and swim with Whale Sharks in the wild in Australia
Of all the Australian sea animals, this is probably the one most people dream of swimming with! “The” place to see whale sharks in Australia is on the Ningaloo Reef near Exmouth and near Coral Bay in Western Australia. They come here every year – from March to the end of June in Coral Bay and March to early August in Exmouth!
Note that sometimes later in year if you are swimming with humpbacks you might still get to see and swim with whale sharks up until October!
It is illegal to swim independently with Whale Sharks here – you must book a tour with a licensed operator. Tours typically include a boat trip to the outer reef, a spotter plane to locate the whale sharks, and guided snorkeling sessions.
Tours depart from both Coral Bay and Exmouth but there are more whale sharks at Exmouth – not that that means you wont see them from Coral Bay. The cost of a trip is high, like $400 – 600+ so be prepared. Also note you should book ahead during busy periods e.g. July as the tours book out months in advance.
Book one of these top rated day trips that you will never forget:
From Coral Bay – 8 hours + on the reef swimming with whale sharks, turtles and more!
From Exmouth – a 5 star fabulous day with the whale sharks and possibly whales and dugongs too!
2. Where to see and swim with whales in the wild in Australia
Actually – this is another of the Australian sea animals people dream of! Well it can happen. Again, you do need to go with a licensed operator to swim with them!
Humpbacks travel from Antarctic waters up both the east coast and west coast of Australia every year. The great news is the numbers are increasing year on year. They travel up the coasts, give birth and later travel back down the coast between July and October.
Swim with Humpback Whales in the wild
The best places for getting out in the water and swimming with the humpbacks are Hervey Bay (known as the whale watching capital) and Ningaloo Reef, and a couple of spots on the East Coast.
Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia)
There are 40,000 whales that come to the Exmouth / Coral Bay area! Apart from the whales, you are likely to see turtles and dolphins too, and possibly manta rays and dugongs!
From Exmouth – have an incredible day swimming with the Humpbacks with the excellently rated operator Three Island Shark Dive.
From Coral Bay – another 5/5 stars day swimming with the Humpbacks too!
Hervey Bay (Queensland) – I really recommend getting out to K’gari (Fraser Island) and swimming with the whales on this tour. that way you get to see the wilder side of K’gari (which is fabulous at worst) and you will also be looking for dolphins, dugongs, turtles, and, on land, dingos!
Chinderah (Northern NSW) – another 5/5 stars half day option to go swimming with the whales!
Get close to whales on a whale watching trip
You don’t have to swim with these giants. You can of course see the humpbacks all along the east coast from the cliffs, e.g, in Sydney go to the cliff areas near any of the beaches and keep a lookout. I have often seen them from there, especially in June and July – but it is generally a distant view.
However, its amazing getting close to them on a whale watching trip. Hervey Bay and Sydney are great places for this.
From Hervey Bay there are a few great options. Book this half day whale watching cruise or this equally excellent one on Amaroo. Or go for a full day Fraser Island Whale Watch Encounter!
Further south from Newcastle spend a couple of hours watching these beautiful giants as they make their way up or down the coast.
From Sydney these are the most highly rated options – all about 2.5 hours long: Ocean Whale Watching Experience, or the Whale Watching by speedboat, or this Whale Watching Boat Trip!
How about Killer Whale / Orcas, Sperm Whales, Southern Right and Pilot Whales?
Head to the south west of the country for all these beauties!
From Dunsborough head out morning or afternoon on a whale-watching tour to look for humpback whales, southern right whales, and elusive blue whales September – December
From Bremer Bay in the south of Western Australia this Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition has got to be a great 8-hour day out! See Orca, Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, and many Pelagic Birds!
Or from Leeuwin you can spend 2.5 hours looking for humpback whales, southern right whales, and maybe even illusive blue whales from Mid May to early December on this Whale Watching Eco Tour.
3. Where to see and swim with dolphins in the wild in Australia
If you are out on a yacht in Australia’s waters for a day or two you are going to see dolphins, and there are plenty of places to swim with them. But if you aren’t going yachting, then these are a few of the best places and trips to see and swim with dolphins across Australia.
See wild dolphins on the East Coast
Up north go on a morning Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing Adventure in Hervey Bay looking for the different types of dolphins – hopefully you will see a dingo on the island too.
Take a small-group dolphin-watching tour from Noosa in Noosa National Park looking out for dolphins, turtles and manta rays too.
From Sydney, head out of town and see dolphins and koalas, and go on a 4WD and sandboarding adventure on this interesting day tour!
Further south in the stunning Jervis Bay take this lovely 1.5 hour dolphin cruise in calm waters!
Watch or swim with dolphins in South Australia
20 minutes from Adelaide, is Glenelg beach. This guaranteed 3-4 hour dolphin tour will let you watch from the boat and then swim with these glorious guys!
Further south on Kangaroo Island, spend a couple of hours swimming with dolphins and seals! Or just take a cruise and watch them both from the comfort of the boat!
Swim with dolphins in Western Australia
About an hour south of Perth is Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Out of Rockingham, this Swim with the dolphins trip will take you out to see some of the 200 local dolphins.
In Bunbury, at Koombana beach is the Marine Discovery & Interpretive Centre. Tbh, I have heard its good but I haven’t been in it, but there is a viewpoint outside to watch for dolphins from, or you can take a dolphin boat trip. As for me – I just went swimming and was soon joined by three dolphins. You can’t expect that, but it does happen!
To have more than chance luck, try this 4-hour Swim with the Dolphins Tour. (It is Licensed by Parks and Wildlife Service) And if you don’t see dolphins you get to go out again for free. not a bad guarantee!!)
Or you can go on a 1.5-hour dolphin cruise and not have to get wet!
4. Where to see and swim with Turtles in the wild in Australia
There are so many places you might get to swim with turtles while you are snorkeling in Australia – even of late a turtle has been visiting Cabbage Tree Bay in Manly in Sydney! Usually though you will find them in warmer waters further north. These are a few of the best spots to swim with these wonderfully graceful Australian sea animals
Western Australia – Ningaloo Reef
Once again Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth and Coral Bay feature high on the list and have Green, Loggerhead, and Hawksbill turtles. From Exmouth take this Half Day Turtle Kayak & Snorkel Tour.
Or from a boat this Half Day Snorkel 2.5hr Turtle Tour on the Ningaloo Reef tour gets rave reviews!
To see the females nesting at night during the season go on this Summer Sunset Turtle Watching and Stargazing Tour.
Eastern Australia – Great Barrier Reef and beyond
Clearly the other major place to see turtles is almost anywhere on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) from Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot islands in the southern region, to anywhere up north in the Cairns area. Be aware of crocodiles up north – you need to go out on a tour into the reef far away from crocodiles! The one exceptions is if you take a ferry out to Fitzroy Island – a short 45min ferry trip from Cairns. Swim / snorkel off the beach and hopefully see at least one of the local turtles.
From Cairns there are lots of trips but this Great Barrier Reef full day tour gives you a great chance of seeing turtles while you are snorkeling.
Green Island is also a good place for swimming off the beach and seeing turtles. You can take a day trip from Cairns and try your luck with this very flexible trip!
In the southern end of the GBR take a day out to Lady Musgrave from Bundaberg.
Or further south go for a shorter few hours from Fingal Head (NSW timezone) with the sole purpose of swimming with turtles!
If you stay on Heron Island you can swim with turtles right off the beach. the island is a major nesting site for green and loggerhead turtles so its even better during November to March when they are nesting. If you want to come to the island you will need to stay at the very pleasant Heron Island Resort. Enjoy!
Very remote…..
Finally, for a wonderfully remote place to swim with turtles in the wild without a tour head to Cocos Keeling Island. Yes its remote, but Amazing (with a capital A)! And it has plenty of turtles – Hawksbill, Green, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead & Leatherback Turtles are all found here! You can even sit in your deckchair with a beer and watch them in the reef waters below you as I found out! Definitely one of my favorite places in Aussie – read more in Why holiday in the remote Cocos Keeling Islands?
5. Where to see Penguins in the wild in Australia
Probably the cutest of cute of the Australian sea animals! You can see penguins in the wild, without a tour, right in the two biggest cities in the country – Sydney and Melbourne!
In Melbourne head down to St Kilda pier in the evening and walk out along it to see the penguins that live there come in for the night. Meanwhile in Sydney, take the ferry to Manly and right by the wharf in the corner of the beach you should see the local penguins come in. The population is small and they do nest in other places around Manly area so only a few are likely to come into the wharf but its pretty cool that they do – right in the thick of all the humans. Dawn and dusk is the time for viewing.
However, Phillip Island, south of Melbourne in Victoria has a huge colony and you can go and watch the “Penguin Parade” there. It is very organized and you need to buy a ticket or go on a tour, but you will see penguins!
From Melbourne take this full day tour, or this full day one too, where you will also visit the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, where you can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, have your photo taken with a koala – and of course see the penguin parade. If you are short on time or just want to see the penguins take the express 4 hour tour!
In Tasmania, head to Bruny Island – just because its beautiful. But while you are there visit The Neck at dusk where there are boardwalks and viewing platforms to let you see the penguins who live there come and go without disturbing them. The best time of year is from September to February.
6. Where to see and swim with Australian Sea Lions in the wild in Australia
There are a few places to see and/or swim with sea lions in the wild in Australia – Jurien Bay, about 2 hours north of Perth, in Western Australia, Port Lincoln in South Australia, and once again, on Kangaroo Island south of Adelaide, at Seal Bay!
Australian Sea lions are endangered but there is a colony of about 1000 at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island. This place is perfect as you can watch them at the beach for hours without needing a tour – although you will get closer to them with a tour.
On Kangaroo Island take a half day Kangaroo Island Seal Bay Beach Guided Tour or see the sea lions as part of a full day tour with National Parks and wildlife included.
From Victor Harbour, South Australia you can also take this Seal Island Cruise and see seals and sea lions without having to go across to Kangaroo Island!
From Perth try a full days kayak exploring the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park looking for dolphins, sea lions and sea birds. Also see this post and visit Penguin Island where you can see the resident sea lions without a tour.
In Jurien Bay, join a tour with Sea Lion Charters or Turquiose Safaris to see and swim with the sea lion colonies offshore on Essex Rocks or Fisherman’s Islands. Tours go all year round which is perfect timing for anyone!
From Port Lincoln – Calypso Star Charters take you to swim with the sea lions on islands out from Port Lincoln from September through to June/July. (They also do shark cage diving – discounts for multiple bookings)
7. Where to see and swim with seals in the wild in Australia
And these guys are probably the fun-est of the Australian sea animals to swim with. They can be so playful!!
From Sorrento – in Port Phillip Bay, south of Melbourne, not only are there dolphins but you can also swim with the playful seals on this 2-hour trip. And, you can warm up afterwards in these wonderful hot pools not far away.
If you are in Melbourne – you can take a day trip to swim with the seals, or you can combine a trip to see the seals with koalas and penguins on this Seal Cruise and Penguin Parade of Phillip Island trip!
From Sydney take this half day kayak tour where you visit the seal colony from the water. Alternatively take a boat and see the seals as well as look for penguins!
Further south, Montague Island, off the coast of Narooma is again a place to go for swimming with seals as well as seeing penguins and whales in season. You can take tours with Montague Island Discovery Tours, or Underwater Safaris.
From Victor Harbour, South Australia you can take this Seal Island Cruise and see seals and sea lions.
Finally, nearby try this Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari and swim with long-nosed seals (and dolphins) off Kangaroo Island, south of Adelaide.
8. Where to see Dugongs in the wild in Australia
This is the hardest of the Australian sea animals to swim with!
Dugongs are shy, vulnerable and protected. You can go on tours in the hope to see Dugongs, but these animals are shy so it is always going to be lucky to see them. However, there are a few places you might have a reasonable chance to see them in Australia.
Either of the Ningaloo whale shark tours will be looking out for dugongs as well as the whale sharks and they are often found. From Coral Bay – this 8-hour trip , and from Exmouth this day with the whale sharks both give you a good chance of seeing dugongs!
The area around Moreton Bay and Moreton Island in Queensland has the largest population of dugongs on the east coast. If you are lucky you might get to see them when swimming off the island. This Moreton Island: Dolphin and Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise will be looking out for dugongs as well as turtles and dolphins.
At the small town Clairview in Queensland, you can sometimes spot dugongs in the shallow waters off the town. Also, if you are sailing in the Whitsundays you might also come across dugong. I never did but friends have, and they are known to be in the area.
9. Where to see and swim with Manta Rays in the wild in Australia
The other big thrill for me, other than swimming with whale sharks and whales is to swim with manta rays. They are so so beautiful and graceful – there is nothing quite like it. To get the chance to swim with these gorgeous Australian sea animals, try these best spots….
In the Whitsundays at Mantaray Bay on Hook Island, you might find these lovely creatures snorkeling on your own. What’s more, its great snorkeling here even if you don’t see the rays.
Again, the Ningaloo Reef is a key place for seeing and swimming with manta rays. This 6-hour trip leaves from Coral Bay to swim with mantas, or this cheaper 5-hour trip does too!.
A bit further south in Shark Bay you might see manta rays from the lookout at Skipjack Point in Francois Peron National Park.
On the east coast, the Great Barrier Reef is the other key home and place to see manta rays. Lady Elliot Island is known as the home of the manta ray – best between between June until mid-September. Stay at the resort for a few days swimming or diving or go on a day trip. Either way it will be spectacular and you have a good chance of swimming with the mantas.
finally a great place for turtles, manta rays and leopard sharks is Julian Rocks Marine Sanctuary in the Byron Bay area. This is a snorkeling and diving paradise! Take a 3-hour snorkel trip to experience the sanctuary and your chances of swimming with mantas is high.
Wherever you go, you wont be disappointed if you find them – these are the most elegant of the Australian sea animals and its amazing to swim with them!
10. Where to see and swim with Sharks in the wild in Australia
Okay so you want to do it – swim with the gnarly-est of Australian sea animals – the Great White Shark!!
Aussie Marine Adventures and Calypso Star Charters will take you out for the big one – the Great White Shark! Of course you will be in a cage. Both tours leave from Port Lincoln in South Australia.
For something a little more tame, but always wonderful, Reef Sharks are all over the Great Barrier Reef so any tour you do, you are likely to see them. Check with any operator before you book if this is the case with them.
Equally on Ningaloo Reef you can see Reef Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Tawny Nurse Sharks, Cat Sharks and Wobbegongs. Any of the trips you book for whale sharks or mantas (above) should give you the chance to see small sharks too. This shorter 2 hour coral and snorkel trip is a good option too.
A secret spot right in Sydney! Cabbage Tree Bay between Manly and Shelley Beaches in Sydney is a great place to swim with harmless sharks. The Wobbegong, Port Jackson and Grey Nurse sharks are seen here at different times during the year.
Going very remote again to Cocos Keeling Islands – the islands not only have turtles but also has plenty of sharks. It would be hard to swim around the reef without ending up with harmless reef sharks around you. It’s wonderful to say the least. Read more in Why holiday in the remote Cocos Keeling Islands?
Related Posts
Where to find Australia’s animals – the Big Five in the wild!!
The best places to see 10 more iconic Australian animals in the wild
15 top places to see koalas in the wild in Australia
Why holiday in the remote Cocos Keeling Islands?
or in neighbouring New Zealand for penguins…….
Six top places to see penguins in New Zealand
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