jdandvalerie
Contributor
I have always dreamed of swimming next to one. Maybe oneday when I become a little more experienced.
I had the same thought going into this...we've had a few whale sharks in my backyard in West Palm Beach, but I've never been out on the water on those days. So, for me, this was very special. Experience, though, is not a necessary component for this interaction. Don't get me wrong, you should be comfortable snorkeling, but the majority of the people in the water haven't even snorkeled before or do so only once every few years. If you mean experience from a photography standpoint, then I understand. If you want good shots, plan in advance. I carried a checklist of shots I wanted going into this...and crossed them out as I got them. They didn't all turn out quite the way I envisioned them, but I didn't get back to the computer that night and be upset that I forgot some compositions.
Bottom line though, if you get the chance, do it.