Swimming with manta rays at a glance
Ningaloo Marine Interactions describes manta rays in the waters near Coral Bay all year. That tells you about the animals. It does not tell you that a tour runs every day or that you will see a manta on yours. Weather, the sea and the animals decide, and no operator can promise a sighting.
The tour is a long boat day with snorkel gear and a spotter plane that looks for the animals. You swim in open water from the boat. Prices are in Australian dollars, as listed in October 2026, and they change.
What the manta tour includes
The Best of Ningaloo offer, as listed in October 2026.
| Item | What is listed |
|---|---|
| Price | From A$315 per adult |
| Length | About 7 hours |
| Food and drink | Lunch and drinks included |
| Gear | Snorkel equipment and a wetsuit included |
| Finding the animals | A spotter plane is used |
| Photos | Included |
| Children and concessions | Ask the operator for prices when you book |
| Booking | Advance booking is offered |
The operator offers booking in advance. No general reservation rule applies to visitors, so the date you book is a choice, not a legal requirement. A page with a booking link does not show free seats on your day.
Our picks: manta ray tours
Three ways to snorkel with mantas, from six to seven hours.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Six-hour marine eco safari with manta snorkelling
Snorkelling gear, wetsuit, snorkel guides, morning and afternoon tea and a buffet lunch are included. Tour photos are not.
Check availability →
Seven-hour manta snorkel with lunch
Spotter plane, snorkelling gear, wetsuit, a burger lunch with dietary options and underwater photos are included. You need to be a competent snorkeller.
Check availability →Full-day Ningaloo Reef trip with manta search
A spotter plane searches for mantas, with two reef snorkels, an option to snorkel with mantas and a buffet lunch. Hotel pickup is not included, and diving costs extra.
Check availability →Manta ray tours from Coral Bay
Full-day and half-day manta ray swims from Coral Bay, with live prices and availability.
Rules for swimming with mantas
What applies to the operators, and what to do in the water.
Only licensed operators
Commercial snorkel and dive tours on park land and waters need a Commercial Operations Licence. The operator handbook, in effect from April 2026, treats manta rays as marine fauna. Disturbing or feeding them without legal permission is forbidden.
Do not chase or touch
A local operator asks you not to chase or touch the animals and to leave them space. Let the animal set the distance.
No fixed distance to quote
You may see numbers such as 3 meters online. Do not rely on them as a rule for mantas. Follow the briefing of your crew and keep your distance generous.
Care for the reef too
The tour includes reef time. Do not stand on or touch coral, and check your fins. See the snorkelling page for the rules in the bay.
Which animal when
Park authority seasons and local operator seasons, side by side.
| Animal | Park authority season | Local operator tour | Adult price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manta rays | – | Present all year, per the operator | From A$315 |
| Whale sharks | March to August | April to June, about 9 hours | A$600 or A$650, both on one page |
| Humpback whales | June to November | July to September, about 7 hours | Watch from A$220, swim from A$600 |
| Turtle hatchlings | February and March on the coast | – | – |
The seasons differ because the park authority describes the whole coast and each operator runs its own calendar. Do not reduce them to one date. Whale shark trips from Exmouth and the northern reef belong to the Ningaloo Reef guide. Details for Coral Bay are on the whale shark page.
Planning your manta day
Practical points for the day.
Book with some slack
Weather can cancel or change a day at sea. Do not put the manta tour on your last day, and keep a spare day in your plan if you can.
Compare the products
Operators differ in length, lunch, gear and the number of swims. Compare them before you pay. Our tours page puts the main Coral Bay products in one table.
Bring the basics
Pack sun protection, a hat and a change of clothes. Choose sunscreen labelled reef safe if you can, as a local operator recommends.
Questions to ask before you pay
A short list that works for any manta ray operator.
Which licence do you hold?
A tour on park waters needs a Commercial Operations Licence. A reputable operator can tell you which one it holds, and licences are renewed over time, so ask for the current status.
What if no manta shows up?
Ask whether you get another trip, a credit or nothing. Terms differ between operators, and a spotter plane improves the odds but does not guarantee a sighting.
How big is the group?
Group size changes how much time you get near an animal. Ask how many guests swim at once and how the crew rotates the groups.
What is on the menu and what is extra?
Check lunch, drinks, photos and gear. On the Best of Ningaloo day they are all listed as included. Other products may charge for some of them.
Manta rays in Coral Bay: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see manta rays in Coral Bay?
The operator describes manta rays near Coral Bay all year, so there is no single best month. A tour can still be cancelled or miss the animals. Check the operator calendar for your date, and read the weather page for the seasons.
How much does a manta ray tour cost?
The Best of Ningaloo day is listed from A$315 per adult, with lunch, snorkel gear, a wetsuit, drinks and photos, as listed in October 2026. Prices change, and a published price is not the checkout price for every date.
Can I touch a manta ray?
No. Do not touch or chase the animals, and leave them space. Disturbing or feeding marine fauna without legal permission is forbidden under the operator handbook from April 2026.
Is a sighting guaranteed?
No. The tours use a spotter plane to find the animals, but the sea and the animals decide. Ask the operator what it offers if no manta is found.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You swim in open water from a boat, so ask the operator what swimming and snorkelling ability it expects before you book. Gear and a wetsuit are included.