The Iconic Humpback Highway Reopens with Tours Now Underway
Western Australia, July 2025: The breathtaking Humpback Highway has officially reopened along Australia’s Coral Coast, marking the start of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring marine migrations. With the first humpback whale sightings recorded by Ningaloo Discovery and Coral Bay Eco Tours already celebrating their first swim of the season, the 2025 humpback season is off to a spectacular start.
From now through November, an estimated 45,000 humpback whales will journey along the coastline of Western Australia — and there’s no better place to witness their passage than at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, the only location in WA where visitors can swim with humpback whales on guided tours.
Tour Highlights Include:
• 🐋 Swim with Humpback Whales at Coral Bay (now operating) and Exmouth (from August)
• 🌊 Experience the Ningaloo Big 5: whale sharks, humpbacks, manta rays, turtles, and dugongs
• 🛥 Whale-watching and in-water tours from Coral Bay & Exmouth; cruises also available from Kalbarri and Geraldton
• 🎟 High demand during peak months – advance booking is essential
“There’s nothing like the magic of that first encounter,” shared Kylie from Coral Bay Eco Tours. “Our guests were absolutely thrilled to swim alongside a humpback whale on day one of the season — a truly unforgettable moment.”
With the humpback season overlapping the tail-end of the whale shark season, lucky visitors may even check off multiple bucket-list marine experiences in a single trip.
“Swimming with humpbacks at Ningaloo is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that grows in popularity each year,” said Kelly Leonard, Marketing & Tourism Development Manager at Australia’s Coral Coast. “This is one of the few places on Earth where you can witness all five of the Ningaloo Big 5 in one breathtaking destination.”
For those who prefer to stay dry, whale-watching cruises are also available from Kalbarri, Geraldton, Coral Bay, and Exmouth – making the Coral Coast a perfect winter escape for marine lovers of all kinds.
Located at the northern tip of Australia’s Coral Coast, Ningaloo Reef is not only Australia’s largest fringing reef system, stretching over 300 kilometres, but also a designated Hope Spot by Mission Blue — recognised globally as critical to ocean health.
With limited spaces and growing interest, early bookings are strongly recommended to avoid missing out on this extraordinary marine encounter. Minimum age requirements apply and vary by operator.
