TOP 7 of the best places to dive with whale shark
All divers dream of diving with Whale Sharks. This gentle animal is the largest fish in the ocean and yet, underwater, it seems extremely light and fragile. King of the oceans, the whale shark is usually followed by a multitude of fish and other sharks during his wanderings. Below, we present the best destinations for diving with whale sharks.
1. Quintana Roo, Province of Yucatan, Mexico
Best time to dive Mexico with Whale Sharks: from mid-July to late August.
Local fishermen of the islands off the Yucatan peninsula paid no attention to the whale sharks that swims in their waters every summer because they did and do not consider these animals as food. But since tourism has exploded on the peninsula and diving centers have grown in Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel, the whale shark has become the local star. Be aware that in the region around Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Holbox, you are not allowed to scuba dive within the predefined zone where the Whale Sharks feed, snorkeling only with very strict guidelines.
Playa de Carmen region is also one of the top places for scuba diving and has also some of the most beautiful Cenotes of the world. This little paradise is, beyond the opportunity to dive with whale sharks, one of the best diving destinations in the world.
2. Gladden Spit, Belize, Mexico
Best time to dive Belize with Whale Sharks: April and May, the breeding period of the sea bream on the dive site Gladden Spit.
The reproduction of sea bream attracts a lot of life, including Whale Sharks at Gladden Spit, near Placencia, Belize about 100 miles south of Belize City. During this period, the boats usually have a 90-minute window to spot whale sharks. In Belize, the divers cannot approach within 3 meters of the largest fish in the world and flashes from camera are forbidden; but the rules, which aim to protect these magnificent animals, does not detract from the magic of the encounter.
3. Honda Bay, Palawan, Philippines
Best time to dive Philippines with whale sharks : Optimal conditions are met from April to November.
Philippine generally represent an ideal diving trip to meet with whale sharks. Everyone already knows that the North, in Donsol, is great to dive with this magnificent animal, but for a more exclusive experience, Spotmydive’s team particularly advise Puerto Princesa in Palawan. Most dive shops will offer whale shark diving trip. In addition to scuba diving, many day trip will offer a snorkeling experience to meet this majestic animal.
4. Koh Tao, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang and Similan Islands in Thailand.
Thailand, beyond its cultural riches and its beautiful beaches of white sand surrounded by crystal clear water, is also one of the regions of the world with the highest concentration of whale sharks. It is noteworthy that the number of individuals in the region is declining.
4.1 Diving Koh Tao with whale sharks
Best Period to dive in Koh Tao with Whale Shark: from February to May
The island of Koh Tao and especially the dive sites Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock are offshores and are regular stopovers for whale sharks living in the Gulf of Thailand. The Island of Koh tao is particularly one of the most famous place for scuba diving. It is the smallest of the three main islands of the adaman sea. It is also the place on earth that deliver the most PADI Open Water Diver courses per year. The two dive sites presented above are famous for whale shark diving but are also considered as part of the best dive sites of Koh Tao
4.2 Diving Similan Islands, Andaman Sea with Whale Sharks
The best season to dive with whale sharks in the similan island is from February to May
The famous Similan Islands, on the other side of the country, on the Adaman sea, are extremely famous for their beautiful dive sites, often visited by whale sharks. The best dive site of the similan is often considered to be Richelieu Rock. This dive site is probably the best place to dive or swim with whale shark in the adaman sea. Still on the Adaman sea, but much more south, between Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, the famous diving spots of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are offshores sites and are frequently visited by the largest fish in the world.
5. Cabo San Sebastian, Mozambique
Best time to dive Mozambique with Whale Sharks : November to February.
Mozambique has one of the highest concentrations of whale sharks in Africa and fabulous fields of pristine coral reefs. But the country, certainly because of its lack of associated installations, is not yet submerged by mass tourism. Many whale sharks roam the shallows to feed on plankton and krill. The best place to dive with whale sharks in Mozambique is certainly the reefs of Cabo San Sebastian 30 to 45 meters deep.
6. Utila, Honduras
Best time to dive Honduras with whale sharks : all year.
Utila in Honduras is certainly one of the best diving destinations to see whale sharks throughout the year. It is especially in the shallow waters of the north of the island that you will most likely see the largest fish in the world.
Do you know any other great diving destination to dive with whale shark ? Please share it with us here under. Hope that the article has been helpfull. Thanks from spotmydive’s team.
