The spotter is the one who stands on the boat beam to look for a big black blotch on the water, indicating a whale shark surfacing. It is possible to dive and to spot manta rays all year long but the best period is from december to june when the sea conditions are good. Donsol is a protected area for whale sharks in the philippines. Tourists ride boats accompanies by spotters, who then signals them of sightings. But there is one place in the philippines where you can have an almost guaranteed encounter with a whale sharks during the right season, and that is in donsol.
All offer ethical whale watching experiences and care about the sharks welfare. Whale shark season in donsol and southern leyte which includes padre burgos and pintuyan is october to may. Whale sharks can be found throughout the philippines with the best times of year being january to may. Whale sharks donsol philippines diving interaction. Donsol, officially the municipality of donsol, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of sorsogon, philippines. We went swimming with whale sharks, locally known as butanding, off donsol town in the philippine province of. Donsol is a small town in the province of sorsogon on luzon island, which has become very famous for its whale shark encounters. These are the worlds largest fish that can attain a length of 1215 meters and weigh up to 20 tons. This can be done in just half day trip if you have a limited time for your holiday or include donsol to your itinerary while in the philippines. Scuba gear was new, top dive masters meant safe and enjoyable.
Swimming with whale sharks in the philippines oslob and donsol. Donsol is a center of sustainable whale shark tourism with feeding of the butanding whale shark in tagalog not allowed. Donsol is renowned as the whale shark capital of the world where the highest congregation of whale sharks can be found during the season of november to june. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Resorts often advise tourists to allot 2 days for the whale shark tour in donsol. The whale sharks come to donsol bay and stay for 67 months feeding on the rich nutrients that flow down from the mouth of the. Manila, philippines over a hundred new whale sharks have been sighted. Manta rays may be the staple, but since the ticao pass is characterized by cool waters.
This means that there are strict rules about human interaction with the whale. The best time to visit donsol is definitely during the whale shark season. Donsol whale shark interaction all you need to know. Whale shark tagging a diver tags a whale shark in donsol town in sorsogon province as part of the local population count. Donsol eco tour is first class operator they maximized our opportunities to snorkel with the whale sharks, great boat operatorsspotters and joseph had us in the perfect position for super close contact. Whale sharks tours on isla mujeres mexico frequently. Whale sharks season similan islands ask any diver what is on their bucket list of things to see underwater, and in all likelihood the majestic whale shark will be top choice for almost every diver. Our excitement in the video says it all the philippines. Swimming with whale sharks in the philippines oslob and. Experience 1 day whaleshark interaction in donsol sorsogon. In the months of november through june whale sharks converge in the donsol bay and stay for 6 to 7 months feeding on the rich nutrients coming out of the mouth of the donsol river. Donsol is politically subdivided into 51 barangays. Whale sharks can be seen from november to june but the peak season runs from february to may. Accommodation in donsol joining a whale shark tour.
Experience and recognized the whale shark capital of the world, a small island yet home of the giants. The two most popular tour packages both include the whale shark encounter, as this is the main reason to visit donsol. Thousands of tourist visits here each season to swim and observe their friendly behavior, the once unheard city of donsol, which was previously reliant to fishing and cottage industry, now benefits from higher economic revenue. Seeing whale sharks in the wild is a dream come true and in donsol, the philippines you will find a responsible and ethical way to do it. The difference is with the other attraction youll do while there either exploring mt. Tours leave throughout the day in peak season, but at the start of the season, there may only be enough people for one boat trip.
Long famous for its scuba diving, the philippines also pleases with whale shark encounters. Jan 10, 2019 donsol is one of just a few places in the world that can almost guarantee sightings during the whale shark season. Only snorkeling is allowed in donsol bay, although it is possible to dive with them in nearby areas. Resorts, hotels, and other accommodations in donsol. At any given time, a large number of whale sharks, rhincodon typus, known locally as butanding are seen off donsol town, in sorsogon province in the philippines. We were very lucky to get 8 sightings and 4 close encounters with whalesharks, since it was only the second day of the season dec where whalesharks had. Resorts, hotels, and other accommodations in donsol, philippines.
The whale shark season is from november to june peaking between february and may. From january to june this year, more than 100 new whale sharks, locally known as butanding, were identified in the area. Many people go to donsol for only a couple of days to snorkel with the whale sharks but there are plenty of opportunities to do a lot of great diving as well, so why not stay a few extra days and check out. Diving although diving is not allowed in much of the bay, just outside of donsol bay, in the strait between luzon and ticao island, there are some spectacular dive sites. Every year the gentle giants come to the waters of the sleepy fishing town to feed on plankton and they stay in the area longer than any other place on the planet typically from november to june. Donsol was, until whalesharks were discovered, a sleepy fishing village, now it is one of the whaleshark watching capitals of the world. Donsol is probably one of the few places in the world that can offer an almost assured whale shark sightings during the season. Whale shark and thresher shark dive safari in the philippines. I tried my hands at this whale shark spotting because i wanted to help ensure we see one. During the month of november all the way through to june whale shark season is on in donsol, sorsogon.
Donsol whale shark interaction 2020 all you need to know. Our excitement in the video says it all the philippines, you have done it again. Get there early for the best chances to see whale sharks anyway. Half day donsol whaleshark interaction whale shark. Best diving sites in donsol philippines scuba dive. Donsol is the best place and something worth sharing to the world. With truly wild animals that range from campersized juveniles to adults bigger than a bus, donsol is the best place in the world to get an authentic and natural whale shark experience. Best sightings are from february to april which is also the. When doc nielsen visited donsol, sorsogon, he was able to swim with a whale shark named p1184. Whale sharks in donsol malapascuas thresher shark divers.
We also had two dives in manta bowl off ticao island. Ticao island is where the manta bowl lies and this is the philippines capital for manta rays. Donsol whale sharks and responsible tourism in the philippines. Donsol whale sharks and responsible tourism in the. Discover why you should choose donsol for your whale shark experience. The butanding visitors center, along the coast road about 1. Half day donsol whaleshark interaction a thrill and adrenalin rush will be sense to your body once you swim with this majestic creatures of donsol.
Why we dont recommend the whale shark activity in oslob. In honda bay, palawan whale shark season is april to october. Mar 23, 2020 seeing whale sharks in the wild is a dream come true and in donsol, the philippines you will find a responsible and ethical way to do it. We were ecstatic to see and actually swim with the whale sharks in donsol. Butanding visitors centre donsol, philippines information. A diver tags a whale shark off the coast donsol as part of the local population count. Certain resorts host activities like whale shark interactions and firefly tours, so be sure to inquire with your place of stay first before signing up for a service elsewhere. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 49,711 people. The whale shark, the biggest fish in the world, finds refuge in the waters of donsol from november to may. Every year in this period the whale sharks come to donsol bay and stay there around 6 months to eat rich nutrients coming out of donsol river.
This beautiful and utterly enormous creature attracts divers like the proverbial moth to a flame for several reasons. The whale shark tours are led by trained whale shark interaction officers, and there are stringent rules youll be required to follow that help keep things here sustainable. Donsol is one of the few places in the world you can have whale shark interaction in their natural habitat, with responsible ecotourism. Uncharted philippines swimming with whale sharks in donsol. Noteworthy are also sogod bay, southern leyte, puerto princesa, palawan and tubbataha reefs natural park. But there is one place in the philippines where you can have an almost guaranteed encounter with a whale sharks during the right season, and that is in donsol which should not be confused with oslob. The worlds best places to dive with whale sharks lonardi. With snorkeling equipment, you will be awestricken by the grandeur of these animals. Be amazed to the enchanted world of whale shark and other sea creatures that can set your mood in a relaxing way. Other tour operators may accept tours outside these dates, but only take tours inside official tour dates and when we are confident in our ability to provide a memoriable tour without distressing. Giddys place donsol, philippines home of the whale.
The whale sharks come to donsol bay and stay for 6 7. Lets go swimming with whale sharks in donsol, philippines youtube. It is possible to dive and to spot manta rays all year long but the best period is from december to june when the sea conditions are. In peak season, donsol is definitely one of the best places to see them. If you want a more natural experience, visit donsol bay where whale shark tours are highly regulated. Ethical swimming with whale sharks in leyte, philippines. The whale sharks of donsol where and when to find them. Other places, such as oslob in cebu, have become popular in recent years because they guarantee the presence of whale sharks all year round. As such, even during peak season, interaction is not 100% guaranteed. April is peak whaleshark watching in donsol as the sharks gather to feed in the calm rich waters of the strait between donsol and ticao island.
Donsol gets the largest congregation of whale sharks in the world. The whale sharks of donsol are possibly the largest school in the world. Whale shark watching is a seasonal activity following the their natural migration pattern, from february to april. Donsol whale shark donsol whaleshark interaction if you want to experience the magical feeling of being able to personally watch a freeswimming whale shark, donsol is one the best spots in the philippines where you can create a truly memorable encounter with the whale shark. To join a whale shark tour, you simply head to the whale shark interaction centre. If you doubt your swimming skills, just slip on a life vest.
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