2013 Festival

In 2013 the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival is cementing it’s spot in the Exmouth social calendar. The festival is being kicked off with the  gala opening cocktail party and art exhibition on Friday the 24th of May.

Fedration Park is undergoing redevelopment this year and we are excited for the prospect of returning here in 2014. For this year we are moving to Talanjee Oval on Saturday morning with the float parade to get things started and a day jammed with events to follow. Saturday night sees the return of Blue Shaddy with other acts to be anounced at Grace’s Tavern. Finishing off on Sunday with Whale Shark tours and a family afternoon on town beach. New for 2013 we are working on a Film Festival and we will get details once they are confirmed. We are also excited to have the Department of Environment and Conservation using the festival to celebrate the World Heritage Listing of the Ningaloo Marine Park and Cape Range National Park. They will be offering free park entry for the weekend and more activities to be announced

History

The Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival grew out of a previous annual event, the Aqua Fest. Originally created under the auspice of the Exmouth Chamber of Commerce & Industry, but because of the size and future aspirations it was found necessary to create the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival Incorporated, a completely separate and autonomous body which has undertaken the organisation not only of the growing Whale Shark Festival each May, but also two Street Parties during the year providing entertainment and as fund-raisers for the annual Whale Shark Festival.

Through extensive and ongoing research the Ningaloo Reef regional communities are aware of the perilous situation in world terms, that the Whale Shark, this gentle creature of the ocean is in, as it still remains a source of food and is cruelly hunted in some countries. The Whale Shark Festival aims to create awareness of the extinction date facing the Whale Sharks and educate the public on the value they add to our lives. Through the preservation and conservation of these creatures and the Ningaloo Reef environment, we can all experience something so unique and ultimately “make a friend for life” .