Diving with whale sharks

[jhill923]

Anyone familiar with this? I'd like to plan a trip with my family to do it. None of us have any diving experience yet, but its something i'd like to shoot for. Anyone know anything about it??

Thanks

 

[jefffalcone]

I've done it in belize. They're there on the days surrounding the full moon in march, april, and may, due to spawning cuberra snapper. It's pretty cool, but crowds can be kind of excessive. Definately worth doing if you've never seen a whale shark, but you feel kind of like you are diving at the zoo. I'm glad I did it, but I'm not in a hurry to do it again.

If you're planning on it, a great place to go is Golver's Atol.

 

[offthewall1]

There are many places around the globe to where you can give it a try. Whale sharks while common in many parts of the world, can be elusive even in those areas. One thing to keep in mind is that there are no guarantees in life... especially when it comes to seeking a specific sea animal. With that said, your chances are much greater in some locations than others. The Island of Utila off the coast of Honduras has a remarkable record for whale shark encounters as do some locations off the east coast of Mozambique and South Africa. Another possible location is the Sea of Cortez near the southern tip of the Baha Peninsula. Trips like these generally correspond to a budget... so for those in the western part of the USA, I'd look at the Sea of Cortez and liveaboards such as the Solmar V. For those in the eastern US, I'd say Utila.

Plan your dives hoping for the encounter, but don't forget to see everything else while you're there. There is always a chance the whale sharks will not cooperate. There are also chance encounters, such as the occurrence this past summer. In August a whale shark was spotted about 25-30 miles off the North Carolina coast while divers were hanging on a line after doing a wreck dive... so whenever you enter the ocean... be prepared... and have that camera ready!

 

[alcina]

Where are you looking at going?

Make sure to talk to the local operators to find out when they think the best time is - sometimes the information you see on the net or in magazines is not actually that accurate

To save you some time, the Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia has a steady whale shark season from late March/early April through into July (even the first days of August this year). I've been here for 10+ years and I always tell my family and friends to come from the last week of May through the first week of July.

 

[jhill923]

How much should expect to spend on these trips? Im assuming their guided. I mean besides air fare.

 

[alcina]

Totally depends on where you are going. Again, contact the local operators for up to date details.

If you are thinking of coming down here you can contact me via PM or email and I can offer as much help as I can on what we offer

 

[diversteve]

Solmar V is a week long liveaboard. So it's all-inclusive at $2100-2200pp. Plus airfare to Cabo San Lucas.

 

[chip104]

The Philippines is another option for you. There are two main locations: Donsol and Sogod Bay. A couple of us are going to Sogod in Febuary.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...209370-donsol-southern-leyte-whale-shark.html

Donsol might be a better option for the family.

 

[Doc]

None of us have any diving experience yet, but its something i'd like to shoot for. Anyone know anything about it??

Let me say the horrible truth. Go get dive experience. Once you learn to be able to recognize and object beyond your tank pressure gauge, you may well see a Whale Shark.

As you are getting this experience, there is nothing wrong with going to dive zones that are within your abilities, and who knows- you may well see your big critter! Certain places for Whale Sharking are in the category of "advanced diving". This term means nothing more than one (and more) new situations that you are presented with. Remember, everything after the pool sessions is a new experience. If you have to backroll off a Zodiac and rapidly descend in heavy surface current, stay together in a group then do a 15' safety stop after shooting your safety sausage from depthy... before ascending to ... get the idea? Take one bite at a time. It will come~ the skills as will the critters.

Large animals may be the big draw, but you will find much more challenge and enjoyment in focusing on the minute and hidden. Don't worry- when it's time to look up and see the Whale Shark, you'll hear your buddies banging their tanks. Until you get dive experience, you won't even hear them doing that. I kid you not.

So for now, go and learn to dive. The holy grails, or at least what you might believe them to be, will appear when you are ready. Until then, go find a Pipefish. Much more interesting.

 

[cowjazz]

I would suggest La Paz, Mexico (Baja California Sur/Sea of Cortez) or Isla Holbox, Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula). You will get to snorkel with whale sharks, and can still have some great dives on your trip. Both trips would be fairly economical.

A week in La Paz with lodging, food, diving and whale shark snorkel was around $900 per person at Club Cantamar in 2006. October is the prime month for La Paz.