The magnificent giant whale shark is the world's largest shark and also the largest living fish species we have on earth. This peaceful animal mainly eats plankton but also small fish. In seas where we can find whale sharks in packs, it strongly indicates that the ecosystem is in balance. If there is plenty of plankton, you may be lucky enough to see a large group of whale sharks, otherwise this huge and peaceful usually lives a solitary life.
Each whale shark has a unique pattern with its yellow and white dots, which means that it is actually easy to identify them. They can grow closer to 20 meters in length, but it is very rare that they reach that size. An adult whale shark can weigh upwards of 36 tonnes and live to be around 60–150 years old. What we mainly recognize when we see a whale shark is the gigantic mouth, which can be almost 1,5 meters (!!!) wide. This placid fish feeds by filtering plankton at the surface with its mouth open.
"After my two week long trip in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, I can only say that this place is a diving paradise! Swim among huge whale sharks and mantas in Cancun eating fish eggs or experience sailfish in search of the school of fish." Read more from our travel blog HERE (Mexico tour)
"Just as it was, the captain shouted 'Hold on', the outboard engines rumbled and we picked up speed significantly. Further out we could now glimpse a number of fins which only became more and more numerous. Soon we were surrounded by about 100. Joy spread on board, what a magnificent sight. The water was full of large gaps, some close to the boat" Read more from our travel blog HERE. (Whale sharks in isla mujeres)
Our top destinations for diving, snorkeling and whale shark watching
There are many places in the world you can see whale sharks Below we have put together a selection from our various destinations. There are several but we don't have them on our website for good reasons. The main reason is that these places are either not very good chances to see whale sharks, but it depends more on the trip and that many places are so remote that they can only be reached by liveaboarders who maybe drive to these places one or two trips everywhere else or where third year. Or the visibility is so poor compared to how good it could be that we simply don't include them.
The Maldivian island of Dhigurah in South Ari Atoll has a very special attraction. Here the whale sharks thrive best. All year round you can here dive and snorkel with the world's largest fish along the atoll's outer reef. Dhigurah is a quiet island with a small selection of local restaurants, cafes and shops. The island has kilometers of white beaches and a fantastic outer reef where whale sharks are seen several times a week. TME Shairose guesthouse offers diving, snorkelling excursions, visits to deserted islands and sandbars, dolphin safaris, night fishing and various water sports. It is also possible to visit nearby resort islands if you are interested in trying the luxury life for a day. On southern Ari Atoll is the Whale Shark Research Center.
Dive and swim with whale sharks on a liveaboard in the Maldives
We have around 10 different liveaboard boats in the Maldives to go with and seven different absolutely fantastic routes to choose from. During several of these routes, there are actually quite good chances of seeing a whale shark regardless of which route you go with, but the one with perhaps the best chances are those that go past the southern Ari atoll, where it is very common for the whale sharks to swim along the reef.
You can choose from our routes called: Best of Maldives, Sharktastic, Pelagic Magic, Manta Madness, Deep South and South Central. You can read more about the routes HERE Read more...
Dive and swim with whale sharks on a liveaboard in Socorro Mexico
Your comfort on board is the highest priority aboard the Nautilus Explorer. It is a high-class vessel designed with a very strong steel structure and extensive sound insulation. The design of the hull and modern stabilization systems make the Nautilus Explorer a very safe and stable platform for its passengers and it makes the journey a great pleasure! A specially built platform in the stern, with direct access from the diving deck, makes it easy to jump into diving boats and kayaks. A very important component for a successful trip is the food on board. Nautilus has undoubtedly heeded this with a fresh and imaginative mix. Here at Socorro Island out in the Pacific Ocean it is common to see whale sharks and this together with many other large fish.
Best time to see whale sharks: December-May
Dive and swim with whale sharks in the Galapagos
Few places in the world offer such fantastic diving as the magical Galapagos. Imagine interacting and experiencing whale sharks, playing sea lions, large schools of hammerhead sharks, curious sea turtles, manta rays, several species of sharks, such as silky sharks and Galapagos sharks, loads of fish and playing dolphins during one and the same dive. All of that is actually possible if luck is involved. In addition to this wonderful mix with the giants of the sea as the crowning glory, here you can see and experience lumpfish, penguins, killer whales and much more. Join us on an unforgettable adventure and experience the Galapagos' unique animals and nature. We promise a big smile on your face. Read more about our trip to the Galapagos HERE Read more...
Dive and swim with whale sharks on Mafia Island Tanzania
Mafia Island is a quiet, unexploited and scenic island and considerably less known than its neighbor Zanzibar. Mafia island attracts nature and animal lovers. Here you can see whale sharks from September to March. A strong eco-profile is reflected in both hotel operations and diving tourism on the island. Go here to experience well-preserved marine parks, untouched nature and rich wildlife. The destination is still relatively unknown among divers, which means that here you get to experience untouched reefs, few dive boats and exciting new dive sites. Below the surface, you are in one of the largest marine ecosystems in the Indian Ocean. The area became a protected marine park in 1995 and has a very healthy and varied coral reef system. The water maintains an average temperature of 26 degrees and visibility is normally around 25-30 metres.
Dive and swim with whale sharks at Isla Mujeres Mexico - Yucatan Dive Trek
Off the Yucatan Peninsula on Mexico's east coast, you'll find one of the world's best places to free dive with whale sharks. During the summer months, hundreds of whale sharks gather in this area every year. They come to this place to feast on fish eggs and offer you as a spectator a performance like no other. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know the world's largest shark and have the opportunity to take unbeatable photos of whale sharks.
The probability is high that you will experience hundreds of whale sharks with an average length of around five meters. The clear, blue water provides excellent photo opportunities for wide-angle photography. When you are this far out to sea, the chances also increase that you will also meet other pelagic species such as manta rays and lumpfish.
Dive and swim with whale sharks in Thailand, Similand Island
For the past 20 years, travelers have chosen Thailand as a diving destination because it offers some of the clearest waters in Asia that are also filled with beautiful coral. The water is warm all year round and the marine life has great diversity.
The western side of Thailand, where the Andaman Sea is located, can offer the best diving in Thailand. This area includes Koh Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. The best time to go on your diving trip in this area is when the monsoon is in the northeast, which is between November and May. The very best diving in Thailand is in the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea and the best way to experience the dive sites is with a liveaboard.
Dive and swim with whale sharks in Tubbatha Reef, Philippines
Learn more about UV photography and marine biology - Take the chance to experience and dive in a country few have visited. You and 15 other people will be guided in UV photography while learning more about the amazing underwater world of the Philippines. The Philippines is a country where you can go again and again and again. There are lots of places here and each place has a lot to offer. Two real favorites are Dauin and Tubbataha where you will go together with Scuba Travel's ambassador Anders Salesjö. Dauin is beautifully located on the island of Negros in the central Philippines in what is known as the Visayas and here is peace and relaxation, with great diving and also access to more and more places to go out and eat.
Tubbataha is perhaps one of the world's most talked about diving destinations and there are reasons why. 5-6 different species of shark on a dive is not impossible and here there are amazing coral walls, sponges, black coral and gorgonians stretching out from steep rock walls, echinoderms, octopuses, crustaceans and an incredible amount of fish color and liven up this environment. Here you have very good opportunities to see whale sharks and several other relatives during the dive
Best time to see whale sharks in Tubbataha_ all year round
The Philippines has some of the best places in the world to see whale sharks. Here there is, for example, Oslob which you can reach from Moalboal and Dauin where it is basically 100% safe to see these giants of the sea. It is, however, a bit of a tourist gimmick and quite high fees, but it is possible to book on the spot for those who want to experience these super peaceful big fish. Other parts of the Visayas (the central parts of the Philippines) also often offer encounters with whale sharks. Both Bohol with Cabilao and Anda as well as Southern Leyte give you good chances to see them both when snorkeling and diving. Southern Leyte in particular has a place where they frequently pass by during parts of the year but it can actually happen at any time just like in other parts.
The whale sharks have their natural ranges here and many are marked and it is known that they move over large areas all the way down to Indonesia with Sulawesi, the Moluccas, Papua Barat with Raja Empat, Cenderawasih bay and Triton bay. The Coral Triangle has whale sharks almost all year round, but you have to be in the right place and have a bit of luck. Read more about the Philippines HERE Read more...
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