Award reveals Australia’s Hidden Jewel of marine adventure

Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef emerges as a mecca for ‘life-changing’ wildlife encounters

Set to become one of the country’s leading small eco-certified operators, Ningaloo Blue Dive has been declared national winner in the PublicityShip Hidden Jewel Awards for tourism.

Ningaloo Blue has proven itself Australia’s most valuable Hidden Jewel not only because of its role as ambassador for the Ningaloo Marine Park, but also for its response to the demands of overseas visitors.

No longer satisfied with a standard package tour with glass bottom boat, coach trip past the scenery, and the odd museum or two, international tourists are demanding an encounter with the cultural or natural world that literally changes their lives.

Ningaloo Marine Park is increasingly talked about among travellers and divers for its ability to do just that, with Ningaloo Blue at the forefront in packaging and marketing the experiences.

Famous for the whale sharks that swim alongside snorkellers between April and July each year, word is now spreading, mostly via travel blogs, about the huge range of marine wildlife inhabiting Ningaloo Reef all year round.

“So many of our guests come out of the water crying,” said Peter McKissock, owner-operator of Ningaloo Blue Dive.

“I’m not exaggerating – the experience of swimming with the world’s largest fish changes people’s lives and they even surprise themselves with their reaction.

“But then there are the manta rays – these guys get much less media attention than the sharks and yet swimming above a gliding ray is another one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

“Turtles are a big hit with snorkellers too – and the massive range of marine life and coral under the Indian Ocean, as well as the excellent visibility, are a big surprise for divers. They know all about the Great Barrier Reef, but once they dive Ningaloo, they’re hooked.”

Ningaloo Blue was chosen from almost 200 entries for:

• the unique marine experiences offered and their effect on guests, as evidenced by testimonials
• the company’s collaborative approach to showcasing and marketing the Ningaloo Marine Park
• the user-friendly website enabling visitors to research and book a customised holiday online
• the team’s professionalism, warmth and boundless enthusiasm

More about Ningaloo Blue

Ningaloo Reef’s famous whale sharks can grow to 18 metres in length and weigh 15 tonnes. But they are completely harmless, despite having a mouth up to a metre wide.

The sharks swim just under the surface, which means visitors can swim alongside them with just a snorkel, mask and flippers – no need for cumbersome diving gear. Snorkellers on Ningaloo Blue’s Whale Shark Eco Tour get to swim with two sharks on average.

Yet many marine adventurers don’t yet realize that the whale sharks are only the beginning. Even outside whale shark season, the range of marine life is awe-inspiring.

As well as manta rays (which are again quite harmless), there are dolphins, turtles, reef sharks, wobbegongs, a huge range of tropical fish and coral, and in autumn and spring, humpback whales migrate along the North West Cape.

Understanding the demand from international visitors for quintessential Australian adventures, packaged into a full holiday experience, the Ningaloo Blue website includes comprehensive information on Ningaloo’s marine experiences, background on the area, recommended land tours and accommodation options, enabling visitors to design their own holiday and book online.

Ningaloo Blue Dive caters for visitors of any age, including children, and only experienced dive masters and instructors accompany guests on snorkelling trips aboard their 50ft vessel.

The team provides wet suits, snorkels and fins, as well as gift packs, champagne platters, a constant supply of food, and videos as a memento of the trip.

Dive charters are also available.

For more information, contact:
Kat Mikic
Ningaloo Blue Dive
Ph: (08) 9949 1199
Email: bnc@westnet.com.au
www.ningalooblue.com

Click the thumbnails to download high resolution images. These images are to be used only in conjunction with editorial on Ningaloo Blue. Photo credit: Steven Gibson