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If it's always been a dream of yours to swim with whale sharks then keep reading! I mean, who wouldn't wanna swim with the world's largest sharks?!
This article includes everything you need to know about the whale shark dive so dive right in!
Contents
Where can I dive with whale sharks?
The first thing you need is know is the whale shark diving happens in Oslob, which is on the southern end of Cebu island. There are other parts of the Philippines where you can also dive with whale sharks but this is the main one.
What time should I get there?
Important information!
To do the whale shark swim you have to get there at 4:30am! Yes, we also thought this was a little excessive for an attraction that opens from 6am to 12pm but hey we listened to our driver and got there at 4:30am only to join the back of a queue of about 200 people already lined up!
The good thing is that you’re back at your hotel eating breakfast by 8:30am and ready to go on to the next destination!
Why so early?
The whale shark swim is the most popular activity to do in Oslob and the main reason tourists visit Oslob. Rumour has it that they only take the first 500 people, which is why everyone wants to be first in line!
Can I do the whale shark dive as a day trip from Moalboal?
As you have to arrive at the whale shark dive centre at 4am, don’t expect to do the whale shark swim as a day trip from Moalboal! Spend at least 1 night in Oslob so that you can wake up nearby and go straight to whale shark beach.
How do I get to Oslob?
The local bus is the cheapest way to get from Moal Boal to Oslob and is super easy. You don’t even have to go to a bus stop, you can just stand on the side of any road that is on the bus route and flag down a red, green or yellow bus. Ask them if they go to ‘Bato’ and hop on! It takes about 90 minutes (60 pesos each?) and Bato is the final stop.
You will have to get off at Bato, walk for 5 minutes (or take a tricycle) to the bus stop and catch another 45 minute bus (40 pesos or $1.20 aud) to Oslob town. If you spot your hotel along the drive, yell at the driver to stop and you can be dropped right outside the door!
Where to stay in Oslob
Sascha’s resort
- $20 aud / night
- 10 minute drive to the whale shark dive
- 10 minute drive to the port for Sumilon island and waterfalls
- 5 minute walk to town for bars and restaurants
- Pool and slide
- Great view of the water with deck beds and outdoor hammocks
- Can buy coffee or breakfast there
- The resort has a driver and offer tours
How does it all work?
The waiting process is tedious as you shuffle along in queue from the road to the beach, where you collect a number and listen to a briefing about not touching the whale sharks. Next, you wait on plastic chairs for your number to be called out, which is the number of your boat that will take you out to the swimming spot.
It costs 1000 pesos per person ($30 aud) and includes a snorkel, mask and your boat to take you out to the whale sharks.
Despite the lengthy waiting process, the whale shark swim was my favourite part of the whole Philippines trip and so so so worth it!
Each boat takes about 8 passengers out 100m from the shore. You can choose to wear your life jacket or leave it in the boat while swimming but you must wear it when sitting in the boat for the ride. Once there, jump off your boat into the water with the sharks!
Is it ethical?
It is better than it used to be as you are not allowed to touch them anymore and it is limited to 500 people a day but yes, they do feed the whale sharks, which is disruptive to their ecosystem and not sustainable.
Are there a lot of people?
As the boats line up along the water and the whale sharks swim up and down past all the boats, following the food, you only really swim in the space in front of your boat so the only people that will get in the way are the 7 others on your boat, guess it depends who you’re put with!
How close can you get?
You’re supposed to stay 4 metres away from the whale sharks but if they come closer then that’s your risk, just try not to find yourself in the way of their big mouths (at feeding time!) as you might just get sucked in! Their tiny eyes would probably not even notice as all they care about is swallowing all the tiny fish.
How long do you get to spend with the sharks?
Don’t worry, we did not feel rushed at all. You get your fair share of whale shark swimming and plenty of time to capture photos with the world’s largest sharks then you hop back into your boat, taken back to shore and the next 27 boats will take the next lot of people out! We were lucky to be in the first group of boats.
What else is there to do in Oslob?
Although the whale shark dive is the main activity to do in Oslob, there are plenty of other things you can also do while you're there including:
- Sumilon island
- Binalayan hidden falls
- Aguinid falls
- Oslob's bars and restaurants
For more details on these, read my other blog post:
The Ultimate 2 week Philippines itinerary