The largest species of shark in our seas is the whale shark. They also are the most calm, peaceful, and chilled-out beings in the water!

Whale sharks are an amazing and beautiful creature to see in the open ocean. Being large filter feeders, they pose no harm to humans and are perfectly safe to scuba dive and swim with. So where are the best places in the world to see them? Let’s find out!

5. Donsol, Philippines

Hosting the largest known aggregation of whale sharks in Southeast Asia, is Donsol, Philippines. Here, whale sharks are protected and some operators work specifically with whale shark swims and dives. Donsol is also the more ethical alternative to Oslob - another whale shark hot spot in the Phillipines. In Oslob, whale sharks are purposely fed to attract them for tourism. This is not an environmentally conscious operation as it alters the feeding and behaviour of wild whale sharks, which is not something we want to support!

The best time of year to visit for whale sharks in Donsol is between February to May.

4. Mexico

The Socorro Islands off the coast of Mexico hold some of the best scuba diving with pelagic species that you will ever encounter. Visited by dolphins, manta rays, whales, and many many MANY species of sharks, it is no mystery that this is also one of the best places in the world to scuba dive with whale sharks. June to September would be your best chance of seeing whale sharks in these waters.

Isla Holbox is also another famous whale shark spot in Mexico. However, here you are only able to snorkel with them. Nevertheless, it is still an amazing experience, and the best time of year to visit is July and August.

3. Mozambique

Up and coming as a hot spot for surfing and marine megafauna scuba diving, Mozambique is number 3 on our list of best places to dive with whale sharks. The best place to catch sights of them is in Tofo Beach and Cabo San Sebastian, where you can additionally see an abundance of turtles and resident manta rays which also come to feed on the rich plankton and krill populations.

The best time to see whale sharks in Mozambique is between October to March.

2. Maldives

Next up on the list of best places to dive with whale sharks is the Maldives. The waters surrounding the South Ari Atoll and the Baa Atoll are filled with plankton all year round. Famous for their manta ray sightings and scuba dives, these waters happen to attract hungry whale sharks too. The ultimate tropical island paradise, the Maldives is a world-class destination for scuba diving and swimming with whale sharks!

1. Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia

This leaves us with Cenderawasih Bay as the best place in the world to dive with whale sharks. Located in remote East Indonesia, the bay is only accessible to local fishermen and liveaboards, making it the ultimate pristine whale shark diving experience.

Diving with whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay is special because they don’t just swim by, they feed and hang around - giving you plenty of time to observe and experience their full magnificence. The whale sharks are attracted to the bay as plankton is abundant in the water column, and they also enjoy feeding on the small fish that escape the fishermen's boats or are discarded by them. Here, you can experience whale sharks all year long as they snack and chill near the surface.

It is important to always remain respectful of marine life when observing them in the wild. Never touch anything, don’t chase anything, and try to let the animals determine the distance between them and yourself. Specifically when it comes to the code of conduct with whale sharks, never swim into their path, or in front of their giant mouth as they cannot stop swimming or swim backwards.

When in search of dive operators and whale shark dives, try to support local operators that prioritise safety (of both the sharks as well as the guests), are not invasive (operators that don’t feed the sharks or bait them), and if possible, are eco-conscious in their mission and operation. Making responsible choices as a diver and traveller is an environmentally sustainable choice, and in the long run, will benefit you and the whale sharks!

Written by Kayli Wouters

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