Swimming With Whales Sharks

The biggest shark in the ocean won't bite. But that doesn't diminish the thrill of coming face-to-face with a 15-ton feeding machine, even if you aren't on the menu. Whale sharks are the gentle giants of the shark family, content to cruise at a no-worries pace while slurping up clouds of plankton and tiny fish. For divers and snorkelers, this creates a chance for a life-list big animal encounter.

Whale sharks are found in tropical and temperate oceans around the world. In many places, a sighting is big news. But there are also specific locations where the big fish gather to feed and breed, giving humans an almost guaranteed chance for a meetup. Of these known gathering points, only a select few are easily reached and have the travel and tour infrastructure needed to support in-water encounters. We've selected six such destinations, based on personal experience and feedback from the hundreds of divers, snorkelers and adventurers we have helped to fulfill their wish to swim with the biggest fish of all.

For North America travelers, the most consistent and convenient destination for a whale shark encounter lies just off the northeast coast of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Each summer, the big fish gather in these waters to feast on clouds of eggs released by spawning tuna. This event is thought to be the largest single aggregation of whales’ sharks in the world, and it has become a major tourism draw. Encounters are now regulated for the protection of the animals and are by snorkel only—no scuba allowed. The most popular starting point for whale sharks swims is from the small island of Isla Mujeres, which is located just north of the Cancun resort district. With dozens of daily international flights into Cancun, planning a trip is straightforward, and the official whale shark season usually runs from early June to mid-September. While in Isla Mujeres, snorkelers and divers might also want to check out the Museo Subacuático de Arte, which is the world's largest underwater sculpture park.

Another destination that's relatively close to home for North American travelers is the La Paz region of Baja California. Located about an hour north of the mega-resort district of Cabo San Lucas, the port town of La Paz is more laid-back, with an authentic local feel. From early winter through late spring, the waters of La Paz Bay are home to a seasonal gather of whale sharks, which come to feed in the plankton-rich waters. As compared to other whale shark hot spots around the world, La Paz is a bit... chilly. Water temperatures in the season can run into the mid to lower 60s, and a wetsuit is definitely in order. There are a number of tour operators who provide day trips into the bay, and to increase the odds of an encounter, guides may use spotter boats or even aircraft to locate the whale sharks. To round out the adventure, add a dive or snorkel trip to the offshore islands of Los Islotes, which are home to colonies of playful sea lions. As a bonus, large pods of dolphin often show up during the boat ride to and from the islands, and from January through April, there's a chance of seeing migrating gray whales.

Whale sharks are just one ingredient in the mix of big animals divers encounter in the waters of the Galapagos Islands. And we did say, divers. Some shore side eco lodges and several of the cruise boats that visit the Galapagos do offer a limited number of snorkel excursions, but to see the really good stuff, you'll need to show your C-card and book a cabin on one of the liveaboard dive boats that make the rounds of the islands. And while you are saving up for the trip, it might also be a good idea to take an advanced diving course, because some of the best sites are in open water, and subject to currents. This moving water is the result of the meeting of several major oceanic flows, which bring cool, nutrient rich water. And that's why the whale sharks and other big stuff are here. We're talking schooling hammerheads, mantas, silky sharks, huge schools of tuna, Galapagos sharks, and of course, the whale sharks. Many divers favor the dry season from June to December, when more big animals are lured in by rich upwellings of plankton. The price paid for this bounty is water temperatures that can dip to 60 degrees. If cold water isn't your thing, the warm season from December to March boosts water temps into the 70s. Any trip to the Galapagos should include a few days ashore to explore the amazing landscapes and animals that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution. That's why we usually suggest a stopover before or after boarding the liveaboards.

Aside from serving as the inspiration for the setting of Jurassic Park, Costa Rica's Cocos Island is best known for as the place where the hammerhead sharks gather. This isn't a destination for land lovers because getting to this uninhabited outpost requires a 36-hour boat ride from the Costa Rican port of Puntarenas. Once there, you'll be rolling overboard and descending on fairly featureless underwater slopes. But the point isn't admiring the underwater landscapes, it's looking outward to open water in anticipation of what's swimming by. Often, it's a squadron of the famous hammerheads, who show up at sites such as Alcyone Seamount to have parasites picked from their skin by attentive angel and butterfly fish. But that's just the beginning. There are also manta rays, dolphins, tiger sharks, large schools of jacks and tunas, and yes, whale sharks. The action continues year round. The dry season—December to May—brings warmer water and calmer seas, while the rainy season—June through November—is the time when upwelling currents bring the greatest concentrations of big animals.

If there is any place in the world where a whale shark encounter could be considered guaranteed, it is off the southeastern coast of the Philippine island of Cebu, in the area known as Oslob. Whale sharks are naturally drawn to this area to feed on the swarms of tiny shrimp that rise from the sea floor each night. For years, local fishermen shared these waters with the sharks, which often wreaked havoc on shrimping nets. As a peace offering, the fishermen began sharing samples of their catch to the passing whales. When these nightly offerings expanded to daylight feeds, a new business was born. Today, people come from around the world to meet these sharks. These activities take place under formal guidelines designed to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals. Essentially, divers and snorkels are confined to a buoyed area just off the beach, while the whale sharks are free to come and go, either interacting with humans or moving on as it suits them.

There are whale sharks in the Maldives. This is a bit like saying there are cows in Texas. This nation of islands consists of some 1,200 small specs of land grouped around 26 coral atolls that spread out across 35,000 square miles of ocean. There are resorts on dozens of these islands, and guests are never far from a coral reef or a fish-filled channel. Whale sharks are found throughout the region, and there's always a chance of sighting one on any given dive or snorkel trip. That said, the sharks are generally most commonly seen around South Ari and Baa atolls. Most are younger fish in the 12 to 20-foot size range, which is still a pretty impressive animal. Because these whale sharks move around quite a bit, the best odds of an encounter is by booking passage aboard one of the liveaboard dive and snorkel boats that cruise the islands.

Ready to meet the biggest fish in the sea? We can help you plan the trip. We've been to theses whale shark hot spots, and know the best times to go, the best places to stay and the best tour operators to book. Give us a call at 1.800.330.6611 or drop a note to sales@caradonna.com with any questions.