Donsol – Whale shark watching
Donsol is the whale shark watching town near Legaspi in Bicol province southern Luzon.
Here are some blurry old photos of Donsol. Whale sharks are called “butanding” by the locals in Donsol, but Tiki-tiki in southern Leyte.
Whaleshark watching in Donsol Philippines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGaDv2NFRIo
Butanding – whale shark – tiki tiki
I stayed in town for a few days and teamed up with other snorkelers to share the cost of the whale watching boats. There are a couple of boatmen and a spotter who is crucial in directing the boat where to go.
Snorkeling in Donsol
The guide sees shadows in the water and directs the boatman to position the boat at an intersecting point ahead of the whale shark.
Everyone jumps in the water and tries to swim alongside the whale shark until it either sounds or out swims the snorkelers.
February and March seem to be good months as the whale sharks are a migratory animal and not there all year long.
The neat thing about Donsol is that it is run like a co-op. The boatmen take turns taking out the tourists so everyone gets a piece of the pie instead of one out of town operator grabbing all the gravy.
The whale shark center in town organizes the trips and shows a few videos to familiarize to the snorkelers with what to expect.
Butanding – whale shark
A few years back it was kind of nice being the only tourist staying there in town. Everyone else would stay in Legaspi and come out in the morning.
There were even shark fins being dried in the alley at that time. (From other species of sharks)
Philippines – Donsol – Whale Sharks (1995?)
Here is some updated information from Feb 2008
I stopped in Donsol last week to have another look at the whale sharks and to see what changed since I was there last.
The tourist center has moved to a sparkling new building on the beach 3 to 4 kilometers out of town. The whole program is well organized and efficient. The park fee is 300 pesos and is good for a week.
The boat fee is 3,500 pesos and up to 7 swimmers can share the costs.
That makes for a very inexpensive day – only 500 pesos each.
There are 2 spotters, a BIO or butanding interaction officer, and the pump boat man on each boat .
This whale shark watching puts a lot of money into the local economy and it makes you feel good to be a part of it.
There is a big rack of snorkel equipment that is for hire. 300 pesos per kit. All boats carry life jackets if you feel more comfortable swimming with them.
The Vitton Beach Resort is next door and is a handy place to stay but not cheap. For those on a budget there are several guest houses in Donsol town itself.
The pickle’s choice is the Santiago in town for 300 pesos per night. Tricycle rides are 15 peso from town to the tourist center.
Whale shark watching in Donsol Philippines
Whale shark watching in Donsol Feb 2009
youtube video
Whale shark Watching
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Mikes's Resort
with a high interest i saw your package tour offerings to watch the whale sharks in denpasol.
My parents and my cousin we would like to come over on the 09 until 12 of March. Therefore we are looking for a tour package for 3 nights / 2 days. We are most interested to snorkel and watch the whales.
Departure would be Singapore.
Please let me know if you have any offering for us.
If you have any further question please dont hesitate to get in contact with me. My phone number ist: + 65 81899597
I hope hearing from you soon.
many thanks
sandy
Hi Sandy,
All the tours are booked right on the beach at the tourist center. You just have to show up. Vitton Resort is right next to the Tour Center.
I do not actually run tours but I enjoy going to Donsol a couple times a year because it is such a great experience.
You will want to fly into Legaspi from Manila and take a van or taxi from there to Donsol. Tour operaters in Legaspi will just charge a big commission to take you to the center in Donsol.
There are plenty of resorts to stay in Donsol so finding accommodation is not a problem.
please check this link for additional info
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/bicol/may-whale-shark-update.html
cheers
dp
I plan to go to Philippines on 17th Apr, and hope to bake in whale scotting in my trip,. do I need to apply for any permit to do whale scotting. I will be staying in Manila, can you please share more detail on the direction.
I check most of the web site, the request a pax of 6 people for the trip. I only have one person, any recommendation what will be workaround.
thank you very much on the sharing.
Hello peng,
No worries, traveling solo will work out just fine. The permits are issued right at the whale shark watching center and they organize the spotter boats too.
The boats hold up to 7 people and the 3,500 peso fee is split by the tourists on board. The front office will handle everything for you.
From Manila take a south bound bus towards Sorsogon in Bicol (southern province in Luzon) Get off at the Putiao junction before getting to Sorsogon. From that junction take a jeepney to Donsol.
check these links
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/bicol/may-whale-shark-update.html
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/bicol/big-fat-whalesharks-of-donsol.html
have a great trip! I plan to go to Donsol next week and will put up an update.
dp
Hi dp
what’s the latest update in Donsol for whatshark watching, I am planning to go on April the 9th to 12th.
Hello Michelle,
I plan to make another trip to Donsol on Monday. Will post the latest info I have at that time.
dp
Hi dp
planning to go to Donsol from 15-19 May, do you think it is too late for the whale shark watching ? Am I correct that basically we just need to get to Donsol and organise the tour after we have arrived at the tourist centre ? Can we pre-book the tour ?
Mei Mei
Hi meimei,
I think that you will still have a chance to see the whalesharks in mid May. If you plan to be in Donsol for 4 days your chances will be better.
It is getting late in the season as you say.
It is best to just show up and book your trip at the tourist center upon arrival. There are companies that can book the tour for you but they will all go through the tourist center and just pass on a hefty surchage to you. If you do it yourself – the cost will be 300 pesos for a one week park permit and 500 pesos for the boat. If yo do not bring a snorkel, mask and fins you can rent them for an additional 300 pesos.
Going through booking agents is far more costly and you get the same service.
dp
hehehhee ako yon dutchpickle na BIO na picture sa taas..
ty very much for that…
I invite everyone to come and visit the whalesharks here in our town Donsol..
I am Joel Briones one of the Senior Butanding Interaction Officer here in Donsol swimming with the sharks for over 11 years and counting..
We have sightings now beginning last November…
So if you have quiries about everything that goes with our tourism pls contact me via email at
joelbutanding @ yahoo.com or superkim18 @ yahoo.com or one can call me 63+919-420-2324
our butanding is dubbed as the “BEST ANIMAL ENCOUNTER IN ASIA”
Adventurers, travellers, backpackers, nature-lovers, tourists from around the globe…
Come and visit Philippines, visit Donsol “The home of the WHALESHARKS”
Hi, how many days should I stay in Donsol ? There are lots of other places I want to dive, time is of the essence, cheers Chinaussie
Hello Chinaussie,
In late Feb or March and early April you would probably see some “butanding” every day.
The later it gets in the season the more trouble you will have with the weather.
You make the call! (I could stay there for 2 weeks or even a month :)
Mt Mayon is a beautiful day trip as well.
In Donsol Bay only snorkeling is permitted. Some operators take divers to the manta bowl, near Ticao Island, but you probably won’t be doing any actual scuba diving in Donsol Bay.
What time of year do you plan to be there?
dp
Hello
I am a budget traveler and whale shark is too attractive, so I planned to go to Donsol in May. I would like to know if I can a get a better cost for any day tours when I arrived Donsol? As I got some quotes from agents which over my budget very much.
Thank you~~
Pink Wong
Hello PW,
If you are willing to travel without going through a travel agent it will cost only 500 pesos to swim with the whale sharks, plus 300 pesos if you must rent a mask and snorkel.
That means you can have some amazing experiences with the whale sharks for less than 20 dollars.
If you are willing to stay in budget accommodation you can get a room for under 10 dollars in Donsol.
…probably going through an agent that has never even been in Donsol – the costs could be 10 times that.
The only thing wrong with your plan is that May is getting into the typhoon season – try to get there earlier in the year – Feb or March would be better.
cheers
dp
Hi dp,
Would you know if they have open heel fins available for rental?
Thanks,
Popi
Hello Popi,
Most of the fins at the rental booths are not the strap type – but rather the ones that are not adjustable.
dp
hello,
just to let you know there is a brand new built resort…the name is AGM Beachfront Resort, It is in Dancalan,Donsol Sorsogon…the best food ever…very clean, hot and cold shower,All room airconditioned they are just less than month old. ALL BRAND NEW CONCRETE BUILDINGS.
may call or text to +63-919-688-2264 / +63-917-381-3404
or send an email to agmresort @ gmail.com
thanks and goodluck exploring the nature
jan
Hi there!
I am planning to go Don Sol from 1st to 5th of April. I know that on that time will be Eastern that is a really ipmortant dates in Philippines. Do you think is a good time to go for Whale Sharks Watching?
Thanks,
Andres
Hello andres,
Feb and March are the two best months for whale shark watching. The beginning of April should be a good time too.
As you point out the Easter Holiday is usually a busy time in the Philippines but I think that you will have no problems.
cheers
dp
Thank you for posting the comment about our new resort in Dancalan. Here’s our website: http://junyambix2.brinkster.net/
Hi DP!
I was thinking of heading down to Donsol in 2 weeks time, from the 24-26 of April 2010. Do you think there will still be many whale sharks at that time? I heard they started their migration pretty early this time round?
Thanks!
Ujin
Hello Ujin,
I think you will be ok. There should still be whale sharks in Donsol Bay in 24 – 25 April.
It will not be as crowded as during he peak time – Feb and March – but you should still have some great encounters.
I have spent a week in Donsol as late as mid May and had a great time!
Happy snorkeling!
dp
Hello
I am Joel BIO. As the new Vice-President of Donsol Butanding Interaction Officers, I would like to invite everybody to come and visit Donsol to swim with our Whalesharks.
Guests can contact me for inquiries and infos about Donsol Tourism
63+929-817-5654
Also by email you can contact my partner takz78@yahoo.com
Sure you will enjoy Donsol !!!