The second is the whale sharks of donsol, thought to be the largest congregation of whale sharks in the world. Swimming with whale sharks in donsol the philippines. Swim with whale sharks in the philippines at donsol. Accommodation all 15 rooms of elysia beach resort in donsol, sorsogon have been designed with a mix of tropical theme and contemporary style. Hotels near whale sharks interaction center, donsol best. Ningaloo blue dive whale shark specialists blue media visit ningaloo ningaloo visitor centre australias coral coast visitwa australia australias. Donsol, a small coastal fishing town, 600km away from manila, on the southwest coast of luzon, philippines is frequented for several years by whale sharks, called butanding in local filipino dialect. Swimming with whale sharks in the philippines oslob and. Resorts, hotels, and other accommodations in donsol. Whalesharks are believed to be the only remaining member of their.
Whaleshark season starts november and ends in june. Where to dive ethically with whale sharks in the philippines. Other places in the world famous for whale sharks sightings are ningaloo reef in australia and cozumel in mexico but in donsol it is that much easier as they are very close from the shore. The whale sharks come to the donsol area from january to may to mate and also because then there are large amounts of plankton. Swimming with whale sharks is an experience not to be missed. We might just leave the visayas for another visit and save our time for the whale sharks and do some island hopping around donsol. Even the whale shark filming by stewart whitfield motion graphics artist. In search of the donsol whale shark and so our ten days in boracay came to an end. Four other whale sharks usually encountered in the waters of donsol did not show up this season.
Fun if not a bit chaotic donsol whale sharks as day trip for legazpi. All local fishermen were aware of them but it was like a best kept secret. Swimming with whale sharks, locally known as butanding, was featured as the best animal encounter in asia by time magazine in 2004. In speaking with several of the locals, including a dive master and a hotel employee as well as a volunteer diver doing research on tracking the whale sharks, there seems to be several theories of why the whale sharks left and where they went. With snorkeling equipment, you will be awestricken by the grandeur of these animals. We went swimming with whale sharks, locally known as butanding, off donsol town in the philippine province of.
This is the most amazing experience you will ever have. The waters of donsol, in the southern tip of the bicol region, have been home to whale sharks for many years, though it wasnt until 1998 that people realised its potential for tourism after new legislation fao 193 was passed, protecting whale sharks across the country. Similarly, whale sharks visiting donsol in the philippines had a high proportion of mature males 53%. Discover why you should choose donsol for your whale shark experience. The whale shark, the biggest fish in the world, finds refuge in the waters of donsol from november to may. The best and most reliable interactions, however, are in donsol, watching the whale sharks come right up to the surface water of donsol bay. Ningaloo blue divewhaleshark specialists videos facebook.
On average we have been see 15 sharks a day, with the most spotted being 26 in one day. It provides a warm and pleasant home away from home and essential comforts such as refrigerator, satellitecable tv, airconditioning. You will spend hours on a boat with whale shark spotters searching for. Also great to hear again, that the island hopping around donsol is really nice. Best diving sites in donsol philippines scuba dive. We arranged to stay three nights in donsol and the morning after arriving got straight on with what we had come to do. This can be done in just half day trip if you have a limited time for your holiday or include donsol to your itinerary while in the philippines. Donsol is being considered as the whale shark capital of the world, and was featured by time magazine in 2004 as the best animal encounter in asia. Other sharks your might see at these destinations include whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks, bamboo sharks and others. My message is more of dont go to donsol just for the sole purpose of seeing whale sharks because there is a fair possibility you wont. Donsol large marine vertebrates research institute philippines. An early flight from manila to legazpi is advice and.
The whale sharks in donsol are fast and they will go deep in the water if they are frighten. Donsol is known as the whale shark capital and is actually the best place in the world to swim with whale sharks. Seeing whale sharks in the wild is a dream come true and in donsol, the philippines you will find a. Dive donsol, whale sharks philippines,philippines dive. Philippines one of the top destinations in the world where travellers can swim with whale sharks is the philippines. Whale sharks are the largest of the oceans fish, weighing up to 20 tonnes. We decided to do it in donsol where there is no guarantee to see them but the whale shark encounters are in the wild and. The best places to swim with whale sharks in the philippines are leyte, tubbataha, donsol and oslob. A thrill and adrenalin rush will be sense to your body once you swim with this majestic creatures of donsol. Whale sharks can be seen between november and june, with presence peaking between february and may. It represents the best opportunity in the world to swim or snorkel with whale sharks. Whale shark adventures in oslob and donsol cebu trip. Whale sharks in donsol, rock formations on biri island and tarangban falls in calbayog. Sightings are not guaranteed but extremely common during the peak season of marapr.
Based on the study of a single egg recovered off the coast of mexico in 1956, it was believed to be oviparous, but the capture of a pregnant female in july 1996 containing 300 young whale sharks indicates that they are viviparous with ovoviviparous development. Emotional whale shark encounter in the philippines youtube. Photoid and telemetry highlight a global whale shark hotspot in. Swimming with the whale sharks in donsol is an amazing experience i love do it again and be more prepared with my swimming skills. Our excitement in the video says it all the philippines.
The fishermen have seen whale sharks here for years. Donsol in the province of sorsogon, philippines, was once a. Whale sharks in donsol, rock formations on biri island and. No whale sharks in donsol this year silent gardens. If youre an amateur in swimming, you wouldnt be able to keep up as much. Whale sharks, locally known as butanding, gather in the donsol area six to eight months a year, sometimes migrating as early as november and staying as late as june. Southern leyte is not that well known resulting in a much more authentic experience and uncrowded waters for whale shark interactions. Half day donsol whaleshark interaction a thrill and adrenalin rush will be sense to your body once you swim with this majestic creatures of donsol. However they could start arriving as early as october and november. Unlike destinations such as ningaloo reef in australia where you can also swim with whale sharks, there are no expensive spotter planes needed as the whale sharks are in a small, shallow area, close to shore and very easy for your spotter.
Instead, go to donsol with an open mind and a great appreciation of whale sharks. Whale shark adventures in oslob and donsol cebu trip rent a car. Snorkeling with gigantic whale sharks in donsol was the most amazing experience. We are the only operator in donsol that guides in the water. We are focusing on giving our client satisfaction on what they expect for and makes their holiday a memorable and fun that they could pass it on to their friends and love ones. The season runs from january to june when the sharks gather to feed and mate. A wide range of hotels are available near whale sharks interaction center, from the friendly dancalan beach resort to the luxurious elysia beach resort. We did three days of diving at manta bowl and saw whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, white tip sharks. Donsol is a small town in the province of sorsogon on luzon island, which has become very famous for its whale shark encounters. Eager to fulfil my dream of seeing whale sharks in the wild, we were faced with two potential destinations well known for their whale shark, or butanding as they are known in filipino, populations. Donsol is a peaceful, fishing village that is relatively untouched except for the few seaside resorts catered for tourists whose sole purpose is to visit the butandings meaning whalesharks in tagalog. Whale shark swimming with worlds largest gentle fish in philippines for many people, swimming with a whale shark is the ultimate underwater experience. Being a rare and mysterious creature, only minimal information has been discovered about whale sharks.
Here, the whale sharks are protected and only snorkeling is allowed. We were ecstatic to see and actually swim with the whale sharks in donsol. However, the whale sharks often come right to the surface, and snorkelers can see as many as 20 on one trip. Whale sharks can be found throughout the philippines with the best times of year being january to may. May 31, 2016 philippines one of the top destinations in the world where travellers can swim with whale sharks is the philippines. The presence of whale sharks in the town of donsol was known to the local residents over 100 years. Number of whale sharks have increased as have local income levels. Donsol is the top destination in the world to interact with whale sharks. For years, we have been wanting to swim with the biggest. Donsol is a small town, located at the south of luzon island in philippines.
What an exciting week we swam with five different whale sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, saw frisky dolphins. Lets go swimming with whale sharks in donsol, philippines youtube. Apr 10, 2012 we arranged to stay three nights in donsol and the morning after arriving got straight on with what we had come to do. When whale sharks came to this small village of donsol in the philippines, so did tourists. But there is one place in the philippines where you can have an almost guaranteed encounter with a whale sharks during the right season, and that is in donsol which should not be confused with oslob.
Appreciate the fact that whale sharks are now protected from being killed. Since donsol is visited primarily for the whale sharks, the resorts in donsol are nonoperational from july to october. Donsol whale shark interaction 2020 what to know before. Why did the donsol whale sharks leave and whered they all go. Swim with whale sharks in donsol, sorsogon which is located in the south east of the luzon island is a third class municipality. Barnaby lo traveled to oslob and donsol, two coastal towns with different. Sep 30, 2015 in search of the donsol whale shark and so our ten days in boracay came to an end. If you say by december sightings are good, i guess we should stand a pretty good chance in january. Like most sharks, the reproductive habits of the whale shark are obscure. Donsol whale shark interaction 2020 all you need to know. Experience and recognized the whale shark capital of the world, a small island yet home of the giants. Whale sharks are protected and it is only allowed to snorkel with them in donsol bay. Donsol is the best place and something worth sharing to the world. As whale sharks do pass by this area from time to time, its not very surprising that they are also after the uyap, which is a big part of their diet.
Be amazed to the enchanted world of whale shark and other sea creatures that can set your mood in a relaxing way. Shortly after the passing of the law, wwfphilippines worked alongside. A butanding interaction officer bio, or trained guide on whale shark interaction, said only one 4meter shark had been seen roaming around this season, that started in november last year. Swimming with whale sharks in donsol no place to be. However, because of extremely poor interaction practices and almost nonexistent guidelines, we do not advise that you visit the place. Resorts, hotels, and other accommodations in donsol, philippines. The diving is mainly concentrated around the whale sharks and manta rays. Whale sharks donsol philippines diving interaction. Find super low rates only on when booking hotels near things to do. Registered users have access to the quickest possible download speeds and can also access additional community features such as our download alert, which automatically notifies you when a new version of this software is available. In search of the donsol whale shark wandering lost. Diving in donsol, philippines divingmoredivingmore. Donsol large marine vertebrates research institute. As this is a whale shark protected area, only snorkeling is allowed in donsol bay.
Our day or snorkelling with the gigantic whale sharks off the coast of donsol in the philippines. Swimming with whale sharks, we were waiting for this for such a long time. Donsol is the worlds most reliable place to view and interact with whale sharks as they travel through between november and may. Whale shark swimming with worlds largest gentle fish. It takes about an hour flight from manila and 2 hours drive from legaspi airport to donsol whale sharks on vimeo. Places such as whale sharks interaction center attract travelers to donsol.
If youre coming to the philippines then swimming with whale sharks is a must. Join steph this time, on her adventures in the beautiful philippines as she goes whale shark diving in donsol and rents a scooter to find the. Whale shark swimming with worlds largest gentle fish in philippines. You may have heard of oslob being the best place in the philippines to spot whale sharks. Swimming with whale sharks in the philippines oslob and donsol.
Swim with whale sharks in donsol manila tour package. One of the best things about donsol whale shark tours is the price. Sightings are not guaranteed but extremely common during the. Donsol whale shark interaction 2020 what to know before you. Apr 26, 20 a butanding interaction officer bio, or trained guide on whale shark interaction, said only one 4meter shark had been seen roaming around this season, that started in november last year. Sono federico alcini sharkl questo e il mio canale principale dove troverete video di vario genere. Whale sharks, or butanding as they are known locally, are the largest living species of fish if youre interested in swimming with these gentle giants whale sharks eat plankton and are not aggressive then you can either go to donsol in sorsogon or oslob. Our excitement in the video says it all the philippines, you have do. Around 200,000 tourists visit the area for whale shark watching every year, ten times more than the next philippine hot spot for whale shark watching. Ive been to two of the most popular whale shark sighting areas. The whale sharks of donsol where and when to find them. Manta bowl diving in manta bowl, why didnt see manta ray, but 9 whale sharks. Mar 14, 2017 our final adventures in the philippines. Now, the worlds biggest fish is becoming rarer, and.
Unlike other whale shark tours, donsol really cares about the whales and the staff make it special. There is diving at nearby manta point where whale sharks and manta rays are often seen at a depth of 20 meters. For nature lovers and adventure junkies, one of the attractions in the philippines is getting the chance to swim with whale sharks. Half day donsol whaleshark interaction whale shark. Swimming with whale sharks in donsol the philippines the. Whale shark tourism is a growing industry in the philippines.
Whale shark elysia beach resort in donsol, sorsogon. The whale shark guardians in donsol, philippines youtube. Manta bowl is a shoal at about 20 meters deep in the middle of a channel between luzon and ticao islands. I would never forget the first time i jumped off the boat to see the sharks, i freaked out because she is just beneath my feet, literally very close. Donsol or oslob january 25, 2016 small time comments 2 comments for nature lovers and adventure junkies, one of the attractions in the philippines is getting the chance to swim with whale sharks. They pose no threat to humans, feeding mainly on plankton in the warm waters of the tropics. After the 40 pence each journey to the tourist centre we signed up to be placed in a group, watched an instructional video and got kitted up with masks and fins ready to go and find some whale sharks. Join our experienced naturalists for the adventure of a lifetime. May 09, 2019 swimming with the whale sharks in donsol is an amazing experience i love do it again and be more prepared with my swimming skills. Although diving whale sharks in nearby areas like oslob is allowed, only snorkeling is allowed in donsol.
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