Whale shark report 2013

[Ralph Capeling]

Splash Dive Center does not promote whale shark diving for March (we recommend April and May) but there are always some eager divers and snorkelers who can only get away in March. Yesterday we did our first whale shark trip. No whale sharks spotted but they did see reef sharks, bull sharks, a whole pod of daulphins and a hammerhead. The snapper were deep in the morning (could see them with the fish finder but the diver's couldn't see them) but had come up to 60 feet in the afternoon.
Regards
Ralp

---------- Post added March 31st, 2013 at 03:11 PM ----------

Today, March 31 no sharks of any type spotted. The snapper were there at about 60 feet.

 

[Shipwreckscanada]

What are my chances for whale sharks between June 17 and 28?

 

[Ralph Capeling]

No whale shark sightings reported over the last two days.

What are my chances for whale sharks between June 17 and 28?

At Splash we are showing Jue 23rd to July 2nd as the time for June (but while whale sharks come at the time of the full moon March, April, May and June - April and May are the best months. We don't promote March and June but will take people out if they come anyway). Shipwreckscanada, your best chances are later in the time period you will be here but note that some years June is windy which can result in cancelled trips.

Regards
Ralph

 

[Ralph Capeling]

Splash first April whale shark dive is Friday April 26. Will start daily reporting then. Weather looking good.

THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
Isolated showers.	A few coastal showers.	Isolated showers/T-storms.	Isolated showers.
E/NE 5-15 kt.​	Wind: E/NE 5-15 kt.	Wind: E/NE 5-15kt.​	Wind: EAST 5-15KT
Temperature (°F)​	Temperature (°F)​	Temperature (°F)​	Temperature (°F)​
	Coast	Inland		Coast	Inland		Coast	Inland		Coast	Inland
High​	89°​	93°	High​	86°	90°	High​	85°	90°	High​	86°	90°
Low​	75°	72°	Low​	73°	70°	Low​	72°	68°	Low​	72°	69°

 

[Ralph Capeling]

At Splash we had 4 boats in the whale shark zone at Gladden Spit of the coast of Placencia (and three boats exploring other great dive sites). The snapper are acting in an amorous way so whale sharks cannot be far behind! The whale zone was a busy place today with lots of daulphins, bull sharks and other fish. Weather is great and looks like it will continue to bless Placencia for the next few days.
An important non diving item: Today is Patty's birthday. You can pass on your best wishes by going to her Splash Facebook page.

Ralph

---------- Post added April 27th, 2013 at 08:16 PM ----------

Four boats out again and no whale sharks. Lots of snapper of all types along with reef and bull sharks - and the snapper were deep today. Lets hope for better luck tomorrow!
Regards
Ralph

 

[Ralph Capeling]

Yesterday Sunday April 28, divers did not see whale sharks but the fishermen reported seeing one on surface - so they are there. Lets hope the divers see them today, Monday A;pril 27.
Didn't report yesterday evening as I was up to midnight filling nitrox tanks.
Regards
Ralph

---------- Post added April 29th, 2013 at 09:24 PM ----------

Today, Monday April 29th, divers did not see whale sharks. One of the guides had a glimpse of one deep - so they are there but they are not yet cooperating. Hopefully tomorrow!
Regards
Ralph

 

[Ralph Capeling]

Today, Tuesday April 30, again divers did not see whale sharks. I took a look at the historical data and you can see (I hope) that April and May are normaly very reliable for whale shark sightings - the only exception being April 2010 when there were no sightings. Cubera and mutton snapper spawnings peak by a considerable margin each year in May, and May has been 100% reliable for whale shark sightings. Many of our customers are shifting away from whale sharks to some great diving on the barrier reef and atols - hopefully the ones who are hanging in there will find whale sharks tomorrow. It is a real rush when these giants come up from the deep and head straight to your bubbles!
Regards
Ralph

 

[Starrfire]

Thank you for the updates and great diving with you a couple weeks ago. Were there any sightings in the May 1 - May 5 timeframe?

 

[Ralph Capeling]

Thank you for the updates and great diving with you a couple weeks ago. Were there any sightings in the May 1 - May 5 timeframe?

Hi Starrfire - sorry to take so long to respond but I didn't notice the posting. There was only one sighting during that time frame and that was on a dive boat with only one diver going to a different destination when one of the rangers reported a sighting so one diver on one dive boat had the thrill of being up close to a whale shark during that time frame.
Regards
Ralph

---------- Post added May 26th, 2013 at 05:25 PM ----------

Today May 26 two thirty foot whale sharks were sighted. Splash Dive customers saw the two of them come together from the deep on the second dive but they stayed down at about 100 feet rather than coming for the bubbles. Also spotted several bull sharks and lots of snapper. Looking forward to tomorrow and the rest of the week!
Regards
Ralph

---------- Post added May 27th, 2013 at 06:47 PM ----------

May 27 Splash had two boats in the whale shark zone with divers and snorkelers. All saw whale sharks! On the whale shark, one whale shark came up to asbout 90 feet on the first dive and the dive master estimated it to be a 40 footer. On the second dive, a whale shark came to surface. Some divers sat out the second dive because they violated the rules about depth. It is critical that divers follow the rules so that whale shark diving is sustainable.
The other boat saw one right away on the first dive in the morning and one (maybe the same one) came back and passed right in front of them at a distance of about 10 feet. On the cecond dive, one whale shark stayed in sight for a long time and later in the dive there were two more but deep.
All in all, a great day for whale shark diving and snorkeling.
Regards
Ralph

 

[Hank49]

So with little to almost no whale sharks showing up this year, does this mean we'll have a LOT more snappers in the next year or two?

Really strange that they didn't come. The snappers were there I hear.