The whale shark is the greatest fish in the planet and can surpass twelve meters (40 feet) in length. These graceful and gentle giants are filter feeders and pose no danger to humans. Slow and docile, divers are typically tempted to touch whale sharks, even though scientists and conservationists discourage this practice. Their habits, dimension and beautiful polka dots and stripes make the whale shark a prized sight for scuba divers and snorkelers.
Whales sharks dwell in all tropical seas, but there are some spots that are virtually ideal for seeing them. What follows is a partial record of some of the very best locations for spotting whale sharks in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ningaloo Reef, W. Australia, pic: Scott Kozinchik (Flickr CC)
Western Australia – Ningaloo Reef: A coral spawning ground and plankton buffet for whale sharks, Ningaloo Reef is renowned for the giant fish, which feed there from March via June. It’s also on the winter migratory route for humpback whales, dolphins, manta rays and dugongs. Ningaloo’s seashores are breeding grounds for three kinds of sea turtles.
The Philippines – Donsol Bay: Whale sharks are current in the bay from November by means of June, with peak months being February and May. Scuba is not permitted, so visitors will have to be content with snorkeling and sustaining a 3-meter distance from the sharks. Donsol is known as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World”. Other locations for whale shark viewing in the Philippines consist of Batangas, Southern Leyte, Osl and Pasacao.
Indonesia – Cendrawasih Bay: Apparently a current phenomena, the whale sharks of Cendrawasih Bay Marine Park in the state of West Papua can reportedly be seen year round. This would make the bay the only area exactly where this is possible. Cendrawasih has been referred to as the “Galapagos of the East” due to the abundance of special species there.
From Diver Magazine:
Within an hour the sharks outnumbered us. There have been about a dozen feeding contentedly from the fish-filled nets. Their eyes are small with soft surrounding skin that wrinkles up and closes in excess of the eye as they consume. They had been totally at ease in our company, even curious, and would swim previous us at mainly avoiding make contact with however at times a gentle push was manufactured to get us out of their feast. Apart from the occasional gentle sideswipe practically usually their enormous tails swished around staying away from the divers.
Thailand – Richelieu Rock: Discovered by legendary conservationist and marine explorer Jacques Cousteau, this exclusive diving site in the Andaman Sea is centered all around a rock pinnacle which plunges some 50 meters to the ocean floor. Whale sharks can be spotted from February by means of Could. Richelieu Rock is greatest suited for intermediate and seasoned divers.
Oslob, Philippines, pic: Mark & Andrea Busse (Flickr CC)
Maldives – Ari and Baa Atolls: The Maldives is a diving Mecca for scuba and snorkeling of all levels. The nation is generating considerable efforts in direction of the conservation of whale sharks, which can be spotted from Might by means of December on the western side of the islands and December by way of April on the eastern side.
From Travel Weekly:
Sponsored by Conrad Maldives since 2007, the MWSRP are a major authority on whale sharks in the Maldives and an active member of the worldwide conservation coalition, the Shark Alliance. MWSRP have been constructing up a demographic profile of the whale shark population in the Maldives and above the previous six many years have documented over 1000 encounters. The pioneering research of the MWSRP into the demography and movements of the whale shark population in the Maldives supplies the scientific basis behind the programme’s conservation ambitions.
*Additional whale shark spot
Palau: Property to the world’s initial shark sanctuary, the Micronesian island nation of Palau is an underwater wonderland. Inside of the France-sized sanctuary, all shark fishing is prohibited. Read more about Palau right here.
Maldives, pic: Yu Diving (Flickr CC)