Whale shark watching – scuba and snorkeling
It has been an amazing three weeks for me snorkeling with the whale sharks off the coast of Cebu near Oslob in the Philippines.
The local fishermen had been feeding the whale sharks some small shrimp called “uyap” . Several of these whale sharks became temporary residents looking for a hand out every morning.
Consequently a huge tourist opportunity had evolved because a few of the whale sharks would come by every day and public interest grew rapidly.
I counted 8 dive boats along the markers for the sanctuary 2 days ago. The surface of the water was packed with small boats full of snorkelers and groups of 2 to 6 divers circled around below.
I have noticed the crowds getting bigger and the actions by both the scuba divers and the snorkelers has been getting worse. There is a briefing area on the beach where watchers are instructed not to hold or harass or ride the whale sharks.
These whale shark watchers see the ones that come to the surface. Many visitors prefer to stay out of the water altogether.
Coast guard regulations require that visitors wear life preservers or flotation vests. Some swim with vests others don’t.
I caught this guy on film grabbing on to this whale shark as it swan past. The facebook crowd has no limit to what they will do to get their face on a picture with a whale shark. I even saw a scuba diver grab on to a shark 3 times that day. (Jan 26 2012)
See the snorkeler in the life vest at the upper right reaching down for a piece of the action too! This was the third time that this scuba diver had grabbed on to a whale shark as it went past – once grabbing the left side fin and twice grabbing the tail.
On the fourth attempt to grab the shark, the diver got hit in the head by the whale shark’s tail. Quite funny really – but totally unnecessary!
Bubbles from scuba diver and whale shark. The ironic thing must be that it must be aggravating for the scuba divers trying to take pics of the sharks above with a bunch of snorkelers in the viewfinder – but, at the same time they are parked right beneath a shark blowing bubbles all around.
Tan-Awan Cebu
Hello !
Scuba and snorkeling with whale sharks
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Hi Pickle,
Are you staying at somewhere near Oslob? Could you recommend any budget accomodation if I want to snorkel with the whalesharks for several days?
Thanks!
Heyyyyy dp, brill pictures u old dawd. Great to see u back in the swing bro. Melody back today or tomorrow as Johnny unwell. Yes well about the pics mate really great shots. Pity the scuba diver grabbing at the shark didnt get his neck broken. I suppose if the sign said THESE SHARK BITE he would still want to touch !!!!!!!!!!!!. See u real soon.
Thanks mate! Hope that Johnny gets better soon!
… it is really unacceptable to do that but many divers and snorkelers insist. I am surprised that dive shops let their customers harass the whale sharks – seems that they are ruining a good thing…
They just got to get those pics for facebook. I did turn in a bunch of pictures to the management team at the sanctuary. They were not good quality because my good camera was flooded but they got the message. Visitors are now being lectured to not harass the whale sharks like that.
There is a good thing going there in Tan-Awan and I hope that it does not get spoiled by these actions. I noticed a decline in the number of visiting whaleboats the past week. It could be that the sharks have begun migrating or some other reason – I do not really know.
dp .
Hello Ray,
There is very limited accommodation in Tan-Awan itself but there is some in Oslob. Just be aware that the jeepneys do not run late in the night .
Groups come down from Moalboal and Dumaguete every day also. Some people even make a day trip out of it from Cebu. It is best to get an early start in he morning – I think the tour tents open at 6am or shortly thereafter. They ticket sales close at 1pm. It is very hectic on weekends because the crowds are bigger.
I have seen as many as 9 dive boats at anchor just outside the sanctuary. It becomes ridiculous at times. I do not go on weekends but sometimes take pictures of the crowd. It is amazing really>
There was even a helicopter there a few days ago. (MLHuillier) circlig around for whatever reason.
dp
Hi DP,
I’m back in the Philippines on the 27th of March for 2 months…will have to check these whale sharks out for myself mate…are they around all year or only for 3 or 4 months of the year like at Dorsal?
I’m also planning to do a bit more travelling this trip so will be flying over to Borneo and going to Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan…was going to take the over night ferry from Zamboanga to Sandakan but theres been a lot of kidnappings in that area lately so won’t risk it!
Have you been to Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan before? If so any ideas about hotels or hostels to stay at…also what about money changers in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan…i guess they have buses and vans between the 2 cities but I’m thinking of flying between them as i don’t think the roads are much good in Borneo.
If i get the time I’m also planning on going over to Palau for about a week to see those yellow lagoon jelly fish.
MG
G’day MG,
Nice to hear from you mate! I am not really sure about the whale shark migration patterns in Oslob. The whole thing is a rather new phenomenon beginning in Sept of last year. I was there not quite yet 3 weeks and felt a slight decline in the numbers of whale sharks – but an increase in divers, snorkelers, and photographers. It really is kind of interesting. Alyn would love it.
Try not to be there on weekends because there are very big crowds! Many snorkelers and divers and photographers and it is a bit too crowded to suit me!
I feel that there is no danger taking the ferry from Zamboanga to Sandakan. It goes direct with no stopovers and is quite an easy run. I do not really know Sandakan very well and have only been in the airport in Kota Kinalalu. There are some very inexpensive flights between KK and Clark near AC. I think I usually take Air Asia. Have taken Cebu Pacific from Jakarta before but that is not on your agenda. I think the roads are no worries but I really have not much experience in that area.
Was planning that trip with you last year but we both got sidetracked ha ha!
dp
ps – I emailed you a little info about the Kinabatagan river and the proboscis monkey.
ps- I plan to visit the US next month.
MG
You could also try a trip up to Donsol in the Bicol in Luzon. There the whale shark watching is very established and there are quite a few beach resorts.
dp
DP,
Thanks for your information mate! I just got home from doing an 16 hour day at work as i was working in Dubbo today not Sydney where i live…come on my vacation as my work its starting to driving me nuts!
I’m ok with the ferry between Zamboanga and Sandakan but Alyn shes very worried about it, because of all the kidnappings going on lately in that area of the Philippines so for her sake this time i will take the flight from Angeles to Kota Kinabalu with Air Asia or Cebu Pacific.
Yes we both got side tracked last year with our plans because 2011 was a bad year for the both of us…but thats life mate…better luck next time around when we plan it again in the futrue…anyway i will do it with Alyn this time and give you a full report for your website ok.
Hey did you feel those two earthquakes yesterday in Cebc that are 6.8 and 6.2 as i heard on the news here so far over 50 people have died already from them…
Yes I’m starting to think maybe Donsol is a better idea for seeing those whale sharks as i hate being around large crowds of people at the best of times.
Been looking up flights from Manila to Palau…United Airlines flys there each Tuesday so might get over there for a week to break up my trip a bit this time.
Did you get my email two weeks ago that i sent you the one with the photo of me at Griffith race course?
MG