The best time to visit donsol is definitely during the whale shark season. The best times for seeing them in donsol is between april and may, which. Manta bowl is home to a large convergence of manta rays located in ticao pass. Donsol is probably one of the few places in the world that can offer an almost assured whale shark sightings during the season. Donsol is located in the sorsogon province in the philippines. Whale sharks are rarely to be seen but onsite, the gentle giants are freely swimming and eating the abundant plankton and krill. Donsol, a small coastal fishing town, 600km away from manila, on the southwest coast of luzon, philippines is frequented for several years by whale sharks, called butanding in local filipino dialect. The spotter is the one who stands on the boat beam to look for a big black blotch on the water, indicating a whale shark surfacing. The whale sharks of donsol are possibly the largest school in the world. The whale shark guardians of the philippines and the case of the. This can be done in just half day trip if you have a limited time for your holiday or include donsol to your itinerary while in the philippines.
There are two popular places in the philippines to snorkel with whale sharks, donsol and oslob. If youre keen on swimming with donsol whale sharks, youll be pleased to know that going from legazpi to donsol is a quick and easy trip. Roundtrip airport transfers legaspi airport donsol legaspi airport roundtrip land transfers metro manila donsol. What it does offer is one of the most incredible experiences you can have with a truly wild and free animal. One whale shark could go for s25,000 in the china and taiwan fish markets, selling not only the meat, but fins. Whale shark swimming with worlds largest gentle fish. Whale sharks, locally known as butanding, gather in the donsol area six to eight months a year, sometimes migrating as early as november and staying as late as june.
As this is a whale shark protected area, only snorkeling is allowed in donsol bay. Donsol travel tips philippines things to do, map and best. The whale sharks come to donsol bay and stay for 67 months feeding on the rich nutrients that flow down from the mouth of the donsol river. Long famous for its scuba diving, the philippines also pleases with whale shark encounters. However they can be seen from november to june too. Dive donsol, whale sharks philippines,philippines dive. The best time to swim with whale sharks is from february to may. However, the whale sharks often come right to the surface, and snorkelers can see as many as 20 on one trip. Whale sharks can be found throughout the philippines with the best times of year being january to may. You can go to donsol and swim with whale sharks on a public transport day trip from legazpi if you wake up at 4. In the months of november through june whale sharks converge in the donsol bay and stay for 6 to 7 months feeding on the rich. Your intrepid writer saw 15 when she was there one march and she barely even tried. Whale sharks aggregate in the area between december and june with peak season between february and may. The whale sharks are visible on the dive sites near donsol from november to june.
Hence the reason why i decided to visit donsol before oslob. Tours leave throughout the day in peak season, but at the start of the season, there may only be enough people for one boat trip. It is possible to dive and to spot manta rays all year long but the best period is from december to june when the sea conditions are good. I tried my hands at this whale shark spotting because i wanted to help ensure we see one. These months represent the summer season in the philippines, which means that you can expect warm water temperature and higher water visibility. Rental of snorkeling set at p300setday mask, snorkel and flippers. Only snorkeling is allowed in donsol bay, although it is possible to dive with them in nearby areas. Photo credit to donsol ecotour as said above, there are still ethical alternatives to seeing and swimming with whale sharks in the ocean. And it turns out that donsol in the province of sorsogon attracts the philippines largest whale sharks and hosts the. Experience and recognized the whale shark capital of the world, a small island yet home of the giants. Sightings are not guaranteed but extremely common during the peak season. Should you swim with whale sharks in the philippines.
In some cases, you can ask the bio to accommodate an additional nonswimmer for example, grandparents, toddlers and maids. At donsol, the whale shark capital of the philippines, the aim is getting close to sharks. Scuba is not allowed at this particular site, but you can snorkel with them here. Oct 11, 2016 peak season generally runs from december to may, but you can maximize your chances of spotting the gentle giants by timing your visit between february and april. Had mixed feelings about this place but we ended up loving it. Half day donsol whaleshark interaction a thrill and adrenalin rush will be sense to your body once you swim with this majestic creatures of donsol.
Tourists ride boats accompanies by spotters, who then signals them of sightings. Refer to the chart in the sidebar for details about the monthly average rain volumes and rainy days whale sharks are usually around from november to june. They are not feeding the sharks here, unfortunately in peak season it does. We are focusing on giving our client satisfaction on what they expect for and makes their holiday a memorable and fun that they could pass it on to their friends and love ones.
The whale shark season is from november to june but the peak season is february, march, april and may. Donsol is one of the few places in the world you can have whale shark interaction in their natural habitat, with responsible ecotourism. Other places in the world famous for whale sharks sightings are ningaloo reef in australia and cozumel in mexico but in donsol it is that much easier as they are very close from the shore. During the tourist season, more than 1,500 sightseers descend each day. The whale sharks come to donsol bay and stay for 67 months feeding on the rich nutrients that flow down from the mouth of the. Donsol doesnt offer a guarantee of whale sharks and there is a season to be weary of, with february and march being peak season.
I took a guide and a private boat and we started to look for real wild whale shark really quick during peak season. Donsol is one of the few places in the world that can offer almost assured whale shark sightings from november to june. Donsol is the lesser known destination where its possible to swim with whale sharks in the philippines. Half day donsol whaleshark interaction whale shark. Private boat charter, butanding interaction officer, spotter, boat crew, life vests exclusions. Diving in donsol, philippines divingmoredivingmore. Swimming with whale sharks oslob vs donsol youtube. One day of butanding whale shark interaction 3 hours peak season 4 to 5 hours regular inclusions. You have two options if you want to travel the 60km journey from legazpi to donsol. The best time to see whale sharks is from february to april, which is donsol s peak season. Donsol is the place to find whale sharks in the philippines.
Here you can check the calendar markings for january, february and march 20. Liveaboard destinations to dive with whale sharks the. Apr 03, 2014 the tropical beach front location is dripping with lush beauty and the resort is staffed by a friendly welcoming team. March and april is usually the peak season for the whale sharks in donsol.
During the months of january to june, whale sharks appear in the area of donsol, sorsogon for feeding. Swimming with whale sharks in the philippines oslob and. This easter holidays provided just the right opportunity as it is the peak season for this activity. Apr 26, 20 a butanding interaction officer bio, or trained guide on whale shark interaction, said only one 4meter shark had been seen roaming around this season, that started in november last year. The whale sharks come to the donsol area from january to may to mate and also because then there are large amounts of plankton. Swimming with whale sharks in the philippines oslob and donsol written by stingy nomads on february 15, 2019 in this article we tell you all about our experience swimming with whale sharks in oslob, donsol and ligazby and about whale shark swimming opportunities in. Whale shark season in the similan islands is in the high season from february to may. Donsol, sorsogon whale sharks in donsol bay, sorsogon. They are the only shark species which feed on planktons. Oslob, in cebu, is the most popular, but also the most infamous, with a record of dubious responsibility towards the whale sharks, and a welldocumented practice of feeding them to entice them into the area.
Whale sharks donsol philippines diving interaction. If you want a more natural experience, visit donsol bay where whale shark tours are highly regulated. But the locals believed these gentle giants were dangerous. Whale sharks can be seen between november and june, with presence peaking between february and may. My intention is to let it be known how very possible it is to not see butandings in donsol. The worlds best places to dive with whale sharks lonardi. The resort is away from the bustle of donsol town and a perfect place to relax and unwind. In the philippines, the whale shark tourism done in donsol, sorsogon, is considered responsible and ethical. However they could start arriving as early as october and november.
Suddenly an onlooker spots a dark shadow and the shout goes up. Whale sharks, locally known as butanding, gather in the donsol area six to eight months a year, sometimes migrating as early as november and staying as. Donsol is, in my opinion, the more environmental friendly option, compared to oslob because in donsol there is no feeding and no guarantee to see whale sharks, but during peak season between december and may, you will probably see at least one. In peak season, donsol is definitely one of the best places to see them. The presence of whale sharks in the town of donsol was known to the local residents over 100 years. It is the best place in the world to swim with whale sharks. One day of butanding whale shark interaction 3 hours peak season 4 to 5 hours regular firefly river cruise 1 to 1. Now from the months of november to may filipinos and foreigners alike flock to this site to get up close and personal to these gentle giants. Accommodation in donsol joining a whale shark tour. There is a 100% chance you will see 4 whale sharks. February to april would be the peak season for whale shark sighting. Donsol travel tips philippines things to do, map and.
Donsol was once a sleepy seaside village until the discovery of butandin aka the whale shark by a group of scuba divers in 1998 started making waves. The peak season of the whale shark interaction is between march to may. During the month of november all the way through to june whale shark season is on in donsol, sorsogon. Whale sharks are protected and it is only allowed to snorkel with them in donsol bay. The whale sharks of donsol where and when to find them. Sightings are not guaranteed but extremely common during the peak season of marapr.
The whale sharks start to arrive in november and reach their peak numbers in january. Get there early for the best chances to see whale sharks anyway. A butanding interaction officer bio, or trained guide on whale shark interaction, said only one 4meter shark had been seen roaming around this season, that started in november last year. Scuba diving donsol, philippines art of scuba diving. After reading the forums and other literature, it seems that whale shark sightings are less likely outside of this time period. Whale sharks can be seen from november to june but the peak season runs from february to may. There are a few hotels in the area that are cheap and really cheap. But there is one place in the philippines where you can have an almost guaranteed encounter with a whale sharks during the right season, and that is in donsol which should not be confused with oslob. Two competing whale shark interaction projects are highlighting the problems. Swimming with whale sharks in the philippines oslob and donsol. Donsol, which transformed itself from a sixthclass municipality in 2006 to a firstclass municipality last year, is known worldwide for hosting a pod of 50 whale shark or butandings during the peak season of december to may every year. Whale sharks are much bigger and i could really swim next to them and follow them.
Swimming with whale sharks in the philippines oslob and donsol written by stingy nomads on february 15, 2019 in this article we tell you all about our experience swimming with whale sharks in oslob, donsol and ligazby and about whale shark swimming opportunities in leyte and tubbataha in the philippines. As for malapascua island, the only way you can go there would be to travel through the cebu island by bus or van to maya bagay, the jump off point to malapascua. Whalesharks can be found in the area reliably from january to may, although, as i said, april is peak whaleshark season in donsol. The best places to swim with whale sharks in the philippines are leyte, tubbataha, donsol and oslob. Discover why you should choose donsol for your whale shark. In the months of november through june whale sharks converge in the donsol bay and stay for 6 to 7 months feeding on the rich nutrients coming out of the mouth of the donsol river. The whale shark in this area are now a huge tourist attraction, and any form of.
This was just the beginning of the whale shark season, in late november, but in peak season. Unique lifetime experience swim with the gentle giants. Why we dont recommend the whale shark activity in oslob. Apr 03, 2016 they are the only shark species which feed on planktons. Whale shark watching is a seasonal activity following the their natural migration pattern, from february to april. Apr 06, 2019 history during the early 90s hunting whale sharks was the main source of income for the small fisherman town of donsol. Southern leyte is not that well known resulting in a much more authentic experience and uncrowded waters for whale shark interactions. Swimming with whale sharks, locally known as butanding, was featured as the best animal encounter in asia by time magazine in 2004. Oslob and donsol, philippines a couple of hundred metres from the. On a good day you can see 20 and some people have even seen as many as forty five whale sharks in one day.
Whale sharks in donsol malapascuas thresher shark divers. I heard already before our trip to donsol, that there has not been so many whale shark on this year. If you are there for scuba diving, it is good year round as well as firefly watching and kayaking tours. There is diving at nearby manta point where whale sharks and manta rays are often seen at a depth of 20 meters. In donsol during peak season, it is very, very rare not to see whale sharks. Donsol is a peaceful, fishing village that is relatively untouched except for the few seaside resorts catered for tourists whose sole purpose is to visit the butandings meaning whalesharks in tagalog. We were the only boat heading out that day from the centre. They also feed on nektonic prey such as small crustaceans and small fish or squid.
The peak season is from march to june its year where every diver has a chance to see the oceanic manta rays that measure about 6 meters. Swimming with whale sharks butanding in donsol, sorsogon. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. In donsol bay whale sharks come up close to the surface to feed. Best diving sites in donsol philippines scuba dive. Sep 05, 2016 swimming with whale sharks oslob vs donsol. Donsol sorsogon whale shark butanding watching april 2016. As such, even during peak season, interaction is not 100% guaranteed. The experience is nice, if not a little too fast and too hectic. You will spend hours on a boat with whale shark spotters searching for. Donsol unofficially called the capital of whale sharks.
Donsol is one of the best tourist spots in sorsogon, a worldrenowned site for whale shark watching and interaction tours. Where to dive ethically with whale sharks in the philippines. They can be seen in large numbers at a time, sometimes up to 1520 whale sharks at a. To join a whale shark tour, you simply head to the whale shark interaction centre. During the 2018 season, the number of individual fish encountered fell to just 46. No whale sharks in donsol this year silent gardens. Manta bowl is a shoal at about 20 meters deep in the middle of a channel between luzon and. I am not saying that the wonderful stories ive read online are a whole bunch of lies and the account that in donsol during peak season, it is very, very rare not to see whale sharks. Donsol is one of just a few places in the world that can almost guarantee sightings during the whale shark season. Maximum of six 6 swimmers per whale shark butanding. Here, whale sharks are protected by the state, scuba diving is officially prohibited, and groups of snorkelers get permission from the whale shark center.
The ethical solution to diving with whale sharks in the. The best times for seeing them in donsol is between april and may, which is also the summer vacation time in the philippines. Jan 21, 2020 in donsol, whale sharks are not fed by the locals. But in terms of peak season, it runs from february to may. While oslob has been heavily criticised for being a whale shark disneyland, donsol had pitched itself as the more ecofriendly experience, as this article in aljazeera describes. Donsol whalesharks, mantas and fireflies free2wonder.
378 188 523 936 263 572 800 527 1020 8 449 984 695 483 1538 1086 797 835 1569 333 665 285 705 876 449 899 1072 245 785 34 436 1299 1398 151 1093 1232 1594 1416 1470 1077 200 234 1353 51 1222 1037 117