What is a whale shark? These gentle giants are slow moving filter feeding sharks and the largest existing fish species. The largest documented whale shark had a length of 41 ft. Whale sharks have very large mouths so they can sweep the area for plankton, which are microscopic plants and animals. You don’t have to be just a diver to enjoy an encounter with a whale shark. In many destinations, the whale sharks swim close to the surface so even a snorkel excursion will give you a great experience with one of these magnificent animals. Whale shark encounters rank near the top of any diving bucket list, with those gorgeous spots and sheer size. If you’re looking to mark whale sharks off your own bucket list, the following destinations rank among the top to do so.
Holbox Mexico
An Island off the Yucatan Peninsula. When tourists who’d been swimming with the creatures in Africa started spreading the word that whale sharks were to be found in Holbox, the whale sharks became one of the town’s prime attractions.
When to Go: Mid July through the end of August
Nearby Airport: Cancun International – CUN
Airlines Serving Cancun International Airport (CUN) Include: Most major international airlines serve Cancun.
Gladden Spit, Belize
The spawning of cubera snappers draws the whale sharks to Gladden Spit, near Placencia, Belize (about 100 miles south of Belize City), and three days either side of the full moon gives you the best chance at seeing the mammoth fish. Oats have a 90-minute window in which to catch the whale sharks, while divers and snorkelers are required to maintain a 10 foot distance. Flash photography isn’t permitted, but don’t worry, diving with these mammoth creatures is a mind-blowing encounter worth every bit of restriction.
When to Go: April through May
Nearby Airport: Philip S.W. Goldson Int. Airport BZE to Placencia – PLJ
Airlines Serving Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) Include: American, Delta, Maya Island Air, Sunwing (seasonal), TACA, Transportes Aereos Guatamaltecos, Tropic Air, United and US Airways serve Belize Airport (BZE) to get from there to Placencia (PLJ) fly Maya Air or Tropic Air. Driving from BZE to Palencia is about a 4-hour drive on way.
Honda Bay, Palawan, Philippines
Dive boats search for whale sharks between dives or on custom trips to see them. You can go through a dive shop to “schedule” an encounter, and local guides – often fishermen – also take visitors to sea in traditional outrigger bangkas to spot whale sharks.
When to Go: April through November
Nearby Airport: Puerto Princesa International – PPS
Airlines Serving Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) Include: Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, South East Asian Airlines and Zest Airways
Cabo San Sebastian, Mozambique
Home to one of the greatest concentrations of whale sharks in Africa and pristine coral reefs unpressured by mass tourism, Mozambique is one of those off the beaten path destinationst hat wins you serious bragging rights among your buddies. Most encounters with the whale sharks here happen when the animals are feeding on plankton and near the surface. Cabo San Sebastian’s reefs (66 to 131 feet deep) are where they’re often seen, with most around 30 feet long.
When to Go: November through February
Nearby Airport: Inhambane –INH
Airlines Serving Inhambane Airport (INH) Include: Kaya Airlines and LAM Monzambique Airlines. The Airport is operational Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 17:00, Saturdays from 08:00 to 17:00, open by advance request on Sundays. Customs and immigration can be organized in advance of arrivals. Fees and taxes apply.
Utila, Honduras
Impromptu snorkel sessions between dives are when nearly all whale shark encounters occur in Utila – one of the few places in the world where the whale sharks can be spotted year-round. The deeper waters off the north side of the island are where the animals are most often seen, and guides look for the cues of water boiling with jumping tuna and flocking seabirds.
When to Go: Year-Round
Nearby Airport: Utila – UII
Airlines Serving Utila Airport (UII) Include: Aerolineas SOSA (via La Ceiba) on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. CM Airlines operate flights on Saturday only (from San Pedro Sula and Roatan) and Island Air (based in Utila) operates scheduled flights to/from Roatan and San Pedro Sula are designed to connect with incoming and outgoing international flights. All flights are operated with small 9-20 passenger seat aircraft. Utilla Airport is a tarmac landing strip approximately 4600 feet in length. There is no terminal building (unless you count the hut with the tin roof at the runway gate). There is a local restaurant and bar just by the Airport exit gate. When you arrive at Utila Airport, there are always taxi’s waiting there to take passengers in to town. These taxi’s may be pick-up trucks or vans. Whatever the vehicle, the fare is the same, for your taxi driver to take you to your accommodations in Utila (The fare may be higher for those with a large amount of luggage or those going further out to Blue Bayou).
For more information, to book a trip to one of these destinations or any dive trip visit, www.interlinetravel.com or call 800-766-2911.