Swim with Whale Sharks in Western Australia

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Just when I think my experiences can’t get any more amazing, Australia tops herself.! On my most recent visit back to Australia, I had the fantastic opportunity of making it to Western Australia.  Given Australia is roughly the size of the United States, Western Australia often gets short changed by American travelers as it is an extra approximate 5 hour flight time to reach. However, I am here to tell you, it is so worth the extra time to visit Western Australia and my day with the Whale Sharks is one of the reasons.
Your swimming whale shark experience actually takes place in Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef. Ningaloo Reef is a World Heritage listed site along the north west coast of Western Australia lying on the East Indian Ocean, about one and half hour flight north of Perth.  It is the world’s largest fringing reef and offers a plethora of water and coastal activities for the active adventure traveler to experience.

One of the coolest experiences for you to take part in is a swim with the whale sharks.  Spend the day out in the ocean, in snorkel gear, popping on and off of your boat into the water to swim along these beautiful magnificent creatures.  Between your spotter and your group guide, you will be sure to have an up close and personal encounter you won’t soon forget.


To give you an idea of how your day with the whale sharks will go, let me share my day with Exmouth Diving Centre with you. I highly recommend using this the company with their expert trained staff.  You will even find a marine biologist among them to end your day with all the fascinating facts about the incredible sea creature you just swam with.

First, you will be picked up from your Exmouth hotel accommodations bright and early in the morning and then taken to where the boat is moored.  They will then bring a small boat over to take you on board.  Swimming with the whale sharks is limited to ten persons in the water at the time, so our boat had two groups of ten on board.   Once on board you will head out to the open waters.  While making your way out, you will be fitted with your wet suit, flippers and snorkel gear, followed by a briefing as to how the day will work including the safety precautions and rules of swimming with the whale sharks.

The first stop you make is actually a test swim.  It’s run just like there might be a whale for the group to see.  It all begins with Group One Ready. When you hear that call you slide onto your bottom to the back of the boat and wait for the Go! Go! Go! When you hear the cry, you then quickly get your rear in the water and start swimming.  The test run is to ensure several things, including how to enter the water, is your gear fitting, and can you do it.  I won’t lie, the activity is a bit more strenuous then you realize with getting in and out of the back of the boat. I was happy I had been preparing with daily workouts to increase my strength and endurance. But, no worries on keeping yourself afloat as the wet suits act as floatation devices and you can request one of those pool noodles as well.

Once the testing is over you get back on board and wait for them to announce a whale shark siting. They use a spotter plane above that finds the whales and then gives the captain the location. Once a whale is sighted the boat is off as fast as it can to the spot. Once there the drill and swim commences with “Group 1 Ready!”, “Spotter in!”, “Group 1 Go! Go! Go!”  Let me tell you the thrill and excitement have the adrenaline pumping!  I do have a bit of a fear of deep waters, but once in the water and seeing this incredible creature face to face, literally, my fears subsided and all that remained was pure joy for the opportunity.

Once group one has had their swim, they drop back and tread water until the boat circles round to pick them up, while group two repeats the process.  The dive companies goal is to get everyone at least three good swims.  We were very lucky the day we went out in June to swim with five whale sharks.  In addition to the whale sharks we also swam with a manta ray, saw whales breaching, dolphins mating and a rare siting of a dugong with her calf swimming along side our boat. We had the “big five” as they say similar to if you are safari in Africa.

The best time of year to see the whale sharks in Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef is March to July. Despite that being fall and winter there,  you will find the temperatures in the north west of this region to be quite nice. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s meaning you will get plenty of sun exposure and quite possibly return with a tan.

For more information on booking your swimming with the whale sharks and other coastal experiences in the region, please contact me at 1-844-386-3600 or click here to schedule a planning session.

Photos are from my experience and courtesy of Exmouth Diving Centre.
#amazingaussieadventure #justanotherdayinwa #boomerangescapes

 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslSwim with Whale Sharks in Western Australia
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Destination Spotlight-Aruba

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Are you planning a wedding?  Recently married or looking to escape for a romantic get away with your loved one?  Do you ever find yourself dreaming of that perfect get a way?  A vacation in which you are pretty much guaranteed to have fabulous weather and a where romance is in the air?  Well if you have found yourself thinking of any of these scenarios, you might want to consider Aruba for you next tropical escape.

Aruba is “One Happy Island”!  Aruba is a tiny Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. It is always summertime in Aruba, it has dry, sunny weather with pristine blond beaches where the surf is gentle.  The average annual temperature is 82 F and average annual rainfall is less than 20 inches per year.  The constant trade winds bring cool breezes which cause the Divi-Divi trees to slope southwesterly.  Sounds like a piece of paradise. Aruba is a little piece of romantic paradise just waiting for you to escape to.

If you are looking for a tropical paradise offering everything from quiet romantic activities to exciting adventures, then you have found it with Aruba.  There are loads of beaches that line the Aruba coastline, ranging from the surfer water adventures beaches, to the family friendly beaches, to the private romantic beaches that are hidden away from the crowds.  Don’t worry if you don’t prefer to only soak in the sun on the beach because the attractions in Aruba go far beyond the sand.  There are coves and natural pools on the windward coast.  Plus, Aruba hosts a variety of different resort styles from the European, to the Boutique and or course the All-Inclusive.  With having so many varieties, there is always something to please everyone’s style. With the selection of accommodation, also comes a wide range of restaurants including seafood and Asian cuisine just to name a couple.  Aruba is a shopper’s paradise too with many places to shop, including outlets, collector’s shops and specialty boutiques.

 

Fun Fact: Aruba’s Divi-Divi trees, also known as watapanas, are famous because they are known to grow at 45-degree angles in certain parts of the island. This a result of the persistent trade winds in those areas.

Fun Fact credit www.travelimpressions.com
Divi Divi Tree photo credit Pinterest, www.aruba-travelguide.com
Aruba Aerial photo credit www.aruba.com


Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

She has been planning vacation escapes for the company since 2013 and specializes in Caribbean Destinations. Her primary focus is on the all-inclusive vacation experience for adult or family getaways for individuals and small groups. Sandals and AMResorts are among the specialist certificates she holds.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Andrea WardDestination Spotlight-Aruba
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Passport for Your Palate-Red Sparkler

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Summer time, fun time!  Summer weather is always great for family and friend gatherings whether in the backyard, pool side, or at the beach.  It’s been a ritual of mine for years with my close friends to take turns hosting parties at each other’s homes.  The host house for the event typically provides the main dishes, while everyone else brings the sides, desserts, and beverages.  That’s exactly how this Saturday went.

A fellow travel colleague, wonderful cook, and entertainer,  organized a get-together at her home. My contribution to the even was the all important cocktail.  After hearing all the lovely healthy salads, desserts, and appetizers that were making center stage, I opted to bring a light and summer feeling thirst quencher.  The drink I made was inspired by something I’d come across in an old “Cooking Light” cookbook from 2006.

Anyway, I felt like we needed something light and refreshing to go with our healthy fare and ninety degree temperatures.  This fun red drink, was the delight of the party.  Simple and easy to make, plus easily adaptable to different tastes it will make a great addition to your next summer gathering.

Red Sparkler
Ingredients:
12 cups Cran-Raspberry Juice  ( I used Walmart’s Great Value Brand)
8 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice with pulp
2 bottles pink brut champagne
6 or so fresh limes for slicing
In a gallon size pitcher together juices. Stir well. Set aside and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Slice limes and put a notch in one side to be able to set on rim of glass.

When ready to drink.  Place a few cubes of ice in your glass. Fill about half-way or so with the juice mix.  Top off with the pink champagne.  Adjust portions to your taste. Garnish with lime.

Makes about 24 servings, depending on portion and glass size

Options:
For non-alcoholic, substitute club soda
For more of a spritzer, use white wine and a bit of club soda
For more of a kick, add a shot or two of vodka. My preference is Tito’s

For fun, make ice cubes with blueberries or raspberries frozen in them. Or use the berries on a skewer for garnish.

The simple juice mix that can be made ahead is so versatile. Play with it and see what type of sparkler you come up with.

Be sure to share with me in the comments below, so I can give it a drink.

Cheers!


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPassport for Your Palate-Red Sparkler
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