Swimming with Whale Sharks, anyone been?

[Mark300zx]

Hi,

This is on my bucket list and will probably go to SE Asia to do it, any recommendations?

[generationx]

My stepdaughter has, on the east side of Baja California. Apparently they’re there quite regularly. Her video was amazing, what beautiful creatures.

[heisthegaffer]

I did in Exmouth, Australia. Stunning.

Same trip I also saw a blue whale. Doubt I'll. Ever see another one so remain chuffed that happened.

[The Gauge]

I once went on a ‘guaranteed sighting whale watch cruise’ whilst in Boston USA. Didn’t see a single whale.

[LunarOne]

The Gauge said:

I once went on a ‘guaranteed sighting whale watch cruise’ whilst in Boston USA. Didn’t see a single whale.

Were they all married? Boom boom!

[Philplop]

I did it in Oslob in Cebu in the Philippines, they said they’re there every day. They feed them so they keep coming back. It was just younger whale sharks when I did it but they were still 5-6m long, and they got very close and bumped into me a few times.

[Kenty]

Yes, in the Maldives, Gangehi and Veligandu you take a chance they are around when you are but it
was probably one of the best excursions we have done.
Baja California and Exmouth (Ningaloo reef) are also both hot spots.

[Curlyvizsla]

Definitely see these majestic sharks. I swam with them from an island off the coast of Tanzania called Mafia (!) which is around 45 mins away from Dar Es Salaam by light aircraft. Amazing launching off a small boat and swimming alongside. They are not as slow as you might think! Normally swim in a pattern whilst they feed off the plankton, and therefore likely to come past several times.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Basking shark off the coast of Britain... If you want a lidl centre isle option.

[SunsetZed]

The Gauge said:

I once went on a ‘guaranteed sighting whale watch cruise’ whilst in Boston USA. Didn’t see a single whale.

If I recall correctly they say whales are seen on 95% of trips and the guarantee is that you get another trip for free if you don't see any.

[VTECMatt]

TGCOTF-dewey said:

Basking shark off the coast of Britain... If you want a lidl centre isle option.

Lol, got lucky and happened to be in the water when one came close to shore just off the coast in Devon.

[generationx]

VTECMatt said:

TGCOTF-dewey said:

Basking shark off the coast of Britain... If you want a lidl centre isle option.

Lol, got lucky and happened to be in the water when one came close to shore just off the coast in Devon.

Saw a basking shark off the southern-most point of the Isle of Man. Impressive thing.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

generationx said:

VTECMatt said:

TGCOTF-dewey said:

Basking shark off the coast of Britain... If you want a lidl centre isle option.

Lol, got lucky and happened to be in the water when one came close to shore just off the coast in Devon.

Saw a basking shark off the southern-most point of the Isle of Man. Impressive thing.

They certainly are. I saw one off the south coast sailing many years ago. We got within about 10 ft of it. I was amazed at just how big they are... Not something you expect in UK waters.

I would have loved to have swam with it but it was not swimming qeather

They're pretty common apparently.

I'm less keen on the fact that we occasionally get great whites in UK waters <shudder>

[Kenty]

Our fantastic morning with Whale sharks and manta rays.
Visibility not the best but that's why they were there, for the plankton!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNOefwdkZRU

[Mashwort]

Mark300zx said:

Hi,

This is on my bucket list and will probably go to SE Asia to do it, any recommendations?

Hi, we did this last year in Indonesia. Absolutely amazing experience. We went with Sea Trek (seatrekbali.com) and would highly recommend them.

[Steve Campbell]

We went when in the Maldives at the south of the South Ari Atoll last November. Only trip not to see them over a 3 week period !! We'd made some friends when on hols and they went back 3 days later and saw 3 and manta's and sent us the video....here's what you could have won !!!

Going back this year and still deciding whether to fork out again as it was an expensive trip for the day. Have seen manta's when diving but would love to see the Whale Shark. You have to accept it's nature and you have to be a bit lucky, even if going peak season for sightings.

They feed very deep and our marine biologist on the trip explained that they come to that area and the shallows to warm up as they cruise along the reef edge....so they aren't feeding at that stage, they are sunbathing !