All you need to know about Whale Sharks in the Philippines

We will compare the popular Oslob with the lesser-known Donsol. Seeing how mass tourism, fishing and environmental concerns have affected these destinations.

On top of that, we also provided tips and tricks to help you travel as a sustainable, ethical tourist to minimise the impact on our stunning planet.

Whale sharks, the biggest fish in the sea

Whale sharks are mysterious creatures that roam the oceans at great depths and baffle the minds of scientists.

Their name already creates some confusion. Whale sharks are sharks and gained the first part of their name due to their enormous size. Scientists estimate that the giants can grow up to be 18m and weigh 15 tons: the biggest fish in the sea.

Whaleshark Birth Mystery

We know very few things about whale sharks, yet the tidbits we do know are fascinating.

Whale sharks take around 30 years to mature, when they reach around 8m. Their mating habits are a mystery, yet the study of one female helped to give us a better insight into the birth of these enormous creatures that get 70-100 years old.

It turned out that whale sharks are Ovovivarious, which means that females can keep sperm inside of them and fertilise their eggs at will.

After the egg fertilisation, females continue to swim with live young in their uterus until they deem it safe to give birth. The whale shark pups are around 55cm when they are born and emerge from their mother’s womb in sets of around 30. In total, a mother can carry upwards of 500 pups in her womb at once.

Whaleshark Defensive Adaptations

With the use of tracking tags, scientists have found that whale shark dive down to 2,000 meters in the ocean.

They use their enormous black eyes to see in the dim light. They have evolved several other adaptations for protection. Their size is their primary defense against predators. The skin on their back is 15 cm thick and the white markings provide excellent camouflage.

On the surface of the water the white spots give whale sharks a unique look, which makes it hard to imagine how these spots would camouflage them in the water. However, this changes at a depth of 20m, where the whale sharks become almost invisible and the white spots create confusion with the reflections of light.

Whale Shark behaviour and migrations

Whale sharks live in tropical and warm-temperature waters around the world, with the Philippines being one of the popular locations in the world where visitors can swim with these animals.

The most popular whale shark hotspots in the Philippines include Donsol on Luzon, Pintuyan in Southern Leyte, Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa and Oslob in the South of Cebu.

These solitary creatures gather in plankton rich coastal waters for months at a time to feed. After feeding, they disperse and disappear, at a brisk rate of up to 65 km a day to unknown destinations. Scientists are still gathering data about the migration with tracking tags to find answers to some of the questions surrounding the whale sharks.

The whale shark enormous size is an indicator to the vast distances they travel during their yearly migration and has been a topic that fascinates many researchers worldwide.

In one study, researchers were able to track a female whale shark called “Rio Lady” over a distance of 7.800 km, until her tag came off. The study might be a hint on a question that many researchers wondered for many years: Why is the largest population male and where are all the females?

In the majority of the whale shark hotspots, including Mexico’s Quintana Roo, Australia’s Ningaloo Reef and Philippine’s Oslob more than 70% of the whale sharks observed are male.

Presumably, the female whale sharks travel to a safe spot in the open ocean to give birth to their young ones. The open ocean has fewer predators, thus might be the safest location for whale shark pups.

Illegal Fishing of Whale sharks

Whale sharks have had a long history alongside humans. They were a nuisance in many fishing towns yet revered in some religious ceremonies. Scientists located a century old Mayan Priestess Statue modelled after the whale shark. Whale sharks would congregate in areas around the coast and scare away other fish.

This would leave fishermen frustrated and turning their attention to the massive fish. Unfortunately, the meat was often not used due to the animal’s enormous size. In many parts of the world there are still not enough refrigerators or freezers to keep the meat fresh.

In recent years, due to the increasing demand of shark products, whale sharks are in danger. Fins, liver oil and skin became valuable resources in China, while the meat is often discarded.

Targeted Whale Shark Fisheries

According to law, there are no targeted whale shark fisheries. This is because whale sharks have worldwide conservation status from their ‘endangered’ classification.

Yet, whale shark sightings and thus theorized populations have been declining worldwide. This is due to the increasing demand for shark parts in China, which is one of the main culprits of the whale shark trade has laws against it.

Recent reports have shown they catch an kill around 600 whale sharks a year to supply one single factory in China. China signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). CITES is an international agreement addressing and regulating the trade of endangered species.

There are 182 members and the agreement created in 1973 pertains to 35,000 species. Despite the legal perspective, Fisheries authorities lack the resources to stop the trade.

The fishermen also take advantage of loopholes in the system. They keep the fins and meat inside China while exporting oil and skins to North America and Europe.

Whale Shark Population Numbers

The number of whale sharks in the world is unknown. In places like Exmouth, Australia and Isla Hoblox, Mexico they have identified over 1,000 individuals.

Genetic studies show that whale sharks across the globe are closely related and there are only three major ocean populations of whale sharks. Suggesting they travel long distances to feed and mate. This means even one country’s illegal fishing activities could endanger the world’s population. A reduction in sightings on expected migration paths indicate declining numbers.

Shark Tourism as the Solution?

In the past ten years, there has been an enormous shift towards shark tourism. People have discovered tourism brings in a bigger profit than traditional fishing.

Since whale sharks are filter feeders, they present no danger to humans. This along with their massive size creates the ideal tourist attraction. Some operators follow strict rules and guidelines, while others depend on mass tourism and lower prices.

Below, we will discuss the impact of varying tourism with these gentle giants.

History of Whaleshark tourism in Donsol

Donsol is a town in the Sorsogon region located on the east side of Luzon Island. A

mere 15 years ago, It was the home of local fishermen, quiet dirt roads and spectacular water wells. Now it is the home of the Whale Shark Interaction Eco-Tourism Project.

A leader of environmental and sustainable tourism. It is the second-best known destination to visit whale sharks in the Philippines. The most well known being Oslob, the number one destination on most google search results.

Whale sharks come to Donsol bay every year between November and July to feed on plankton blooms. The greatest numbers arrive between the months of February and April. This is high season, and dive expeditions get booked out fast. It is worthwhile to contact dive shops and book well in advance.

Want to know how to get to  Donsol? Check out this route page to learn Manila to Donsol.

Whale Shark Encounters in Donsol

Donsol is in the province of Sorsogon in the Bicol region. You can travel to Donsol about a half-day by car or by air with connecting land transfers.

The Donsol eco-tourism initiative is spearheaded by the WWF. They helped set up the highest standards of responsible tourism. Experts monitor the activities and protocols for whale shark and participant safety.

Some of the rules set out by marine biologists include:

• Do not touch the whale shark
• Do not restrict the movement of the whale shark or impede its natural path
• The minimum distance from the whale shark is 3 meters from the tail
• No flash photography
• No scuba scooters, jet skis or underwater motorised propulsion vehicles
• A maximum of six snorkelers per whale shark
• One boat allowed per whale shark

A whale shark swimming at a leisurely pace can still out manoeuvre most divers. Your fins and mask will help you snorkel and best appreciate the view. The whale sharks come right up to the surface in Donsol bay, allowing tourists to get a close look at the sharks.

The local fishermen retrained as marine guides and take up to 10 people per boat. They take tourists on the Paraw, a traditional Pilipino boat to search for the sharks.

When you spot a whale shark, the guide will instruct you to get ready to hop into the water. On some days, finding the whale shark takes several hours, while on other days tourists may see up to 20 in a single day.

Remember that this is nature, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Downsides of visiting whalesharks in Donsol

The rules and regulations are the same as Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef.

Unfortunately, in some reported instances the guides were lenient in enforcing them. On quiet days with few whale sharks, the number of boats per whale shark can exceed the standard rule.

Some people still attempt to touch the fish. Some chaos of tourists and the boats may arise. Despite this, you can expect organised and eco-consious operators in the area.

Donsol Whale Shark Watching Packages

There are several companies who bring tourists to swim with whale sharks in Donsol. The best option is to contact them well in advance to find the perfect package to suit you. Best time is between February and April.

Donsol Eco Tours offer packages including flights and accommodation arriving in Legazpi. As well as Donsol Whale Interactions costing PHP 1,999 which equates to 40$.

Shark Diving Phillipines organises dive trips to see the renown Thresher Sharks as well as whale sharks in Donsol. If you wish to know specific quotes, you will have to email them.

Alternatively, you can also go straight to the Donsol Whale Shark Interaction Center and book a boat that fits up to 6 people for 3.500php ($69). If the boat is full you will only pay 580php ($11,50) per person.

Whale Shark Snorkelling and Diving in Oslob

With whale shark sightings guaranteed year round, Oslob is the most well known destination in the Phillipines.

To give you the best inside in this experience, I shared the story of scuba dive master Katt, who experienced the whale shark interaction in Oslob herself.

The whale shark interaction in Oslob, from a travellers perspective

Before I came to the Philippines, I read about the irresponsible practises in Oslob and recommendations to go elsewhere. I was travelling outside of the time of the natural migration of the whale sharks. So I decided to risk and experience Oslob first hand.

What greeted me was mayhem. There were about 30 long boats slowly migrating from one edge of a bay to the other. Every boat ferried twenty customers to a crowd of boats.

There the customers were unceremoniously ushered into the water for 20 minutes. Bright orange life jackets were bobbing at the surface in large numbers.

While I was a little doubtful, I was excited to swim with the biggest fish in the ocean. Soon I was on the next boat and off towards the mass off people and the giant fish.

There were locals sitting with giant barrels of fish tipping them into the water. The whale sharks were swarming around the boats. As I looked further out into the bay, I could see a net keeping the whale sharks in.

The locals assured me they remove the nets every morning at 11 am after the tourists leave. The whale sharks however return the following morning to feed and swim in the shallow water.

In Water Experience in Oslob

As soon as I jumped into the water I was kicked in the face with fins. There were yells from the guides instructing us on where to go, to stay away from the shark, to move this way or that way.

With every boat having their own guide, the cacophony of noise just created a mass of confusion. The only way of getting away from it, was to free dive down under water and enjoy the silence of the water. As soon as I came up for a breath, I got another kick in the face.

The whale sharks were almost stationary in the water. They were at a ninety-degree angle to the surface, opening and closing their mouths. Each gulp sucked a vast quantity of water and fish bits into them. They looked content and completely oblivious to the hundreds of tourists.

I walked away from the experience amazed by the school bus sized animals. I remained conflicted about the behaviour altering feeding practices. The whale sharks all had cuts from the boats and exposure to sunscreen and other chemicals.

History of Whaleshark tourism in Oslob

Located on the Southern part of Cebu which is part of the Visayas in the Philippines. The town of Oslob was historically a small fishing village. Baby whale sharks inhabited the area for many generations and considered a nuisance.

Every time a whale shark pup would appear, it would scare away the fish. The fishermen would swat them away with oars or worse. Sometimes the whale shark would become the food source for the village.

In the years of 2008-2010 a Korean diver wanted to experience diving with whale sharks. He ended up paying one of the local boat captains up to three times his normal earnings for a day for a closer look. The boatman took the diver out on his Paraw and brought him right alongside the whale sharks.

Several other tourists inquired about similar trips. The fisherman quickly learned that it was far more profitable to partake in tourism rather than fishing. This knowledge spread through the village as neighbours noticed his fishermen’s family’s life transform. He had been able to enroll his children in school, built a better house and acquired a flat screen TV.

Whale Watching Fees in Oslob

The fees to go out and watch the whale sharks vary from 1,900 – 6,000 PHP per person ($38-110).

There are additional charges if the tourists wish to enter the water: 500php ($10) for snorkelling or diving for 8,200php ($150)).

The tours are available between 6am and 12 noon every day.

Other locations to see Whale Sharks in the Philippines

Some of the lesser known destinations to see whale sharks in the Philippines include Pintuyan, Southern Lyete and Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa.

Although the whale shark sightings are not guaranteed like in Oslob, you still have good chances to see them.

Pintuyan, Southern Leyte

Pintuyan is a small beach in the Visayan province of Southern Leyte. It serves as a sanctuary for whale sharks during their migration.

Similarly to Donsol, the sightings of whale sharks are not guaranteed. It can take up to three hours to find one, but the spotters do a good job and it is rare to not see a whale shark. The best time to go see the whale sharks is between the months of October and May. You can fly from Manila or arrive by land from Tacloban.

The costs associated include an environmental fee of PHP 250, Spotters for PHP 300, guides for PHP350 and pump boats for PHP 800. The customers describe it as a chasing game, of swimming with these beautiful fish in the wild. To organise a trip the best people to contact the local marine sanctory in San Ricard or Pintuyan Dive resort.

Honda Bay, Palawan

Palawan has spectacular caves, lagoons, huge crocodiles and sea turtles. It also has whale sharks cruising by during the months of April to October.

Whale shark sightings are not guaranteed; however, dolphins, turtles and beautiful fish are a fine alternative. You can travel to Puerto Princessa in a two-hour flight from Manila.

Honda Bays Dive Center offered guided snorkelling tours to see whale sharks, along with normal dives, discover scuba dives and classes year round.

Comparing whale shark experience in Oslob to Donsol

So out of the two destinations, how do the two whale interactions compare?

• Oslob feeds the whale sharks to attract them
• Oslob has more tourists in the water at once
• Oslob whale sharks have scars from frequent boat and propeller collisions
• Oslob is laxer on rules which can endanger the sharks
• Oslob has a lot of yelling tourists and guides
• Oslob is cheaper than Donsol
• Oslob it’s easy to get from Cebu city to Oslon
• In Oslob you have a greater chance of getting hit in the face with a fin
• Donsol has the whale sharks in more natural environments
• Donsol has 1 guide for every six people in comparison to Oslobs 1 for up to twenty on the boat.
• Donsol operates under sustainable and eco-friendly practices

Considerations for Sustainable Whale Shark Interactions

As travellers and tourists, it is up to us to make ethical travelling and tourism decisions. When researching where to dive with whale sharks there are several considerations.

The number of tourists allowed in the area daily can impact the wildlife and surrounding environment.

1.Physical human Impact on Whaleshark environment

For example, non-friendly reef sunscreen getting washed into the ocean. Which can cause coral bleaching, coral infertility and infections in some fish. Large crowds of people also bring large amounts of waste and trash. So consider how to dispose of your trash.

2. Disturbing Natural Behaviour

Feeding whale sharks has shown disturbances to their natural behaviour. Certain whale shark individuals spent up to five times longer in the Oslob than normal.

The primarily nomadic creatures would hang around for the morning feeding. They typically do not spend longer than 9 days at any particular feeding spot. One individual was found to have stayed around Oslob for over 70 days.

3. Crowds and Boats endangering whale sharks

Along with the feeding, the amount of boats and people in the water pose a physical danger to the sharks. All sharks seen there have scratches and grazes from bumping into the dozens of boats packed into the bay.

How to be a responsible tourist

Wherever you decide to go, there are ways to minimize your impact and be a responsible tourist. Here are some of the top tips

– Follow the instructions and protocols of the eco guide on your tour.

– Do not touch the whale sharks, no matter how close they come to you. You can transfer potentially dangerous materials from your skin to theirs.

– Invest in seeing the animals in their natural habitat. Its better to spend more money to experience whale sharks swimming in their natural habitats.

– Wear reef safe sunscreen. These are physical blocking sunscreen made from ingredients such as Zinc Oxide. In all cases, avoid the following ingredients as they can damage the reef.

• Oxybenzone
• Octixonate
• Oxtocrylene
• Butylparaben
• Octinoxate
• 4-Methulbenzylidine Camphor

– Prepare ahead and bring reusable cutlery, napkins and Tupperware.

– Bring a filtered water bottle to eliminate the need to drink from bottled water.

For all these aspects, planning well ahead is the key way to alleviate any damage. Convenience and time management are the enemies of environmentally friendly behaviours.

Conclusion, where is the best place to see whale sharks?

While you may be lucky to see a solitary whale cruising by on a normal dive in the Philippines, chances are quite small you will encounter them by accident.

If your dream is to swim with the biggest fish in the sea, consider the impact of your choice.

Donsol Pintuyan and Honda Bay will give you a better experience, with whale sharks swimming in the wild.

The experience in Oslob is marred by the sheer volume of people and the crowded boats. There is yelling everywhere, fins hitting faces and chum entering the water. While the sharks have freedom to leave the bay after midday, the large amount of human activity hurts them.