Utila -- Chance of diving w/ Whale Sharks

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi

The dive shop and the resort are 2 totally separate businesses and in different places on the island, the resort is for the annual vacationer who want to stay at a resort which is totally independent of the dive shop.

The dive shop in town caters for more of the backpacker market doing courses and fun dives, they have their own schedules.

Anything else you need to know ?

 

[jpslim]

This is *way* after this thread is done, but personally we had amazing luck seeing whalesharks in Tofo, Mozambique. We saw them several times and on one boat trip snorkeled with a large 25-30 foot one. Also saw one on a dive at about 40 feet.

 

[reefdiver1]

You are sooooo LUCKY! Will you go back there again, or will you keep hitting new destinations?

As it turns out, the first day I checked in with the Dive Shop, they said they have been seeing them each day that week. Many of the divers on that day's dive trip were showing me their pix and videos.

I dove 4 days straight and on the last day there was a distant glipse of a fin. When the captain got to the site, the whale never surfaced for us.

Gustavo was making its way across the Gulf. Our conditions progressively got worse even though this hurricane was far away. So, no Whale Sharks for me, this time.

I can say that UDC was wonderful! All of the staff, DM's and crew were super friendly, helpful, knowledgable, safety conscious, but not overly rigid. The sites where they took us were gorgeous and full of life! Big shout out to Karen, Thomas and Philip.

For me, this was going to be a once in a lifetime event. This story is going to have to have a Part II.

 

[sololady]

Hi Steve,

Wondering how the season is progressing this year. I always have fond memories of my times with you guys at Deep Blue around this time of year. I haven't had any new e-mails about "my" whale shark BZ-001 lately. I sure hope it's still out there somewhere.

My best to Jasmine, your mom and all the crew at Deep Blue.

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi

From what I know BZ-001 is still around I have heard reports of people seeing him but no photos I am afraid.

We have been seeing quite a lot of whale sharks recently

 

[sololady]

Hi

From what I know BZ-001 is still around I have heard reports of people seeing him but no photos I am afraid.

We have been seeing quite a lot of whale sharks recently

That's great to know. And I see that we know now that "it" is a he.

Love the new site. I had heard about a few sightings here off Terrebonne Parish Louisiana, even by my LDS, but I had no idea about the research and the current volume of sightings here. My boat is too small to get out far enough. Maybe I need to get a bigger boat (or a job crewing on one ;-).

 

[Species_snob]

My partner and I saw about 50 whale sharks just off Cancun in August. Apparently they frequent the area between Isla Mujeres and Holbos between June and September. We weere not diving but snorkelling. It was well worth it.

My partner and I saw about 50 whale sharks just off Cancun in August. Apparently they frequent the area between Isla Mujeres and Holbos between June and September. We weere not diving but snorkelling. It was well worth it.

You can check out the photos here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodrigosala/sets/72157606556600828/



Cheers
Rodrigo

 

[booth22]

Amazing photos and videos! Thanks for sharing- who was the op you went out with?

 

[Species_snob]

I believe it was booked throught Manta Divers. We also had a stop at the beach on Isla Mujeres with a little snorkelling ona reef.

 

[reefdiver1]

Nice shots! Someone else recommended Holbox. I believe they GUARANTEED whale sharks. Even though I didn't get to swim with them this trip, the dives were GREAT! The reefs were pristine and plentful with fish!