Whale sharks are some of the most magnificent creatures in our oceans. Swimming with whale sharks is a lifelong dream for many of us, but where do whale sharks live? As a wild animal, whale sharks are not subject to timetables and sightings are not guaranteed but luckily there are several exciting destinations in the world where you have a good chance to see one if you visit in the right season. We will explore six of the best places to swim with whale sharks in this article.
The whale shark (a shark, not a whale) is the biggest fish in the ocean and can grow to an astounding 40 feet or longer. Despite its intimidating size, one of the most interesting whale shark facts is that its diet consists mainly of tiny plankton. Whale shark teeth (they have over 300 in rows) act as filters, sifting out their food from the seawater.
Whilst swimming with whale sharks gives us an amazing opportunity to see these animals up close in their natural environment, unfortunately, some operators use unethical practices, such as feeding to encourage encounters. When checking out our destinations below, it is therefore important to always check specific tour operators’ standards before choosing a trip.
South Ari Atoll, Maldives
A whale shark sighting can happen year-round in the azure waters of the Maldives. Snorkelling trips are run every week, all year to South Ari which is a Marine Protected Area. The Maldive’s Whale Shark Research Programme has even published an app that lets you track encounters.
With many islands in the atoll designated as tourist resorts, there are plenty of high-quality resorts and guesthouses that offer swimming with whale sharks tours to their guests. Whilst many accommodation options will transport their guests by seaplane directly from the Maldivian capital of Malé to their hotels, there are public ferries, speedboat and flight options available.
Donsol Bay, Philippines
Donsol Bay has been one of the Philippines’ top tourist spots since whale sharks were found there in the late 1990s. Though there are fewer sightings now, it is a far more ethical place to swim with whale sharks than neighbouring Cebu where whale sharks are fed and the sheer number of tourists can be disruptive to the sharks’ natural environment.
Visit from February to April for the highest chance of spotting a whale shark. Donsol itself has a reasonable selection of accommodation where you can relax before your whale shark experience. Take a 50-minute flight from Manila to Legazpi, followed by a public or private van for the hour and a half trip to Donsol.
Ko Tao, Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand is well known for its affordable diving opportunities and whale sharks are a common sight only 15 minutes off the coast of Ko Tao around Chumphon Pinnacle. The best value whale shark experiences are through signing up to a diving course where accommodation is included. Get kitted out in your scuba gear and you can find out just how big is a whale shark yourself!
The best times to visit are between April and June when shark sightings generally peak. A multitude of dive lodges and resorts are available on Ko Tao itself which can only be reached by boat. A flight to nearby Ko Samui, followed by a ferry to Ko Tao is the most time-efficient way to reach Ko Tao, however, other options are available for those on a smaller budget. A sleeper train runs from Bangkok to Chumpon where you can take a bus and then a ferry to Ko Tao and your whale shark adventure.
Bay of Ghoubbet, Djibouti
This striking bay is one of the most reliable whale shark destinations in the world. It is not unheard of for several sharks to be so near to the coast that you can grab your mask and snorkel and swim straight out to see them. Liveaboard dive ships are also an option if you would prefer encountering a whale shark in remote dive spots.
Your best chance to swim with whale sharks is between November and January. Djibouti City, which is serviced by an international airport, is a good place to base yourself.
Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Situated in Western Australia, Ningaloo is 1,200km north of Perth and was named a Unesco World Heritage site in the early 2010s. As well as the whale shark, the 300km stretch of reef is home to over 500 species of fish.
Whale sharks come here to feed starting from the month of April to July after the coral spawns. Base yourself in Exmouth where most tours depart. You can reach Exmouth by flight, coach or driving. We recommend the long drive from Perth for some stunning scenery.
Tofo Beach, Mozambique
If you would like to increase your odds of seeing a whale shark, Tofo Beach is the place to go. The endless supply of plankton here means that this beach has one of the highest density whale shark populations in Africa.
October to March sees groups of up to 50 whale sharks congregating offshore. Stay at Tofo Beach itself where there is a great selection of accommodation from luxury B & Bs to backpacker lodges. Inhambane is the closest town to Tofo and has an airport with direct flights from Johannesburg.
Get your mask and snorkel or scuba licence packed and get ready to experience swimming with whale sharks – truly an experience of a lifetime.
