Whale sharks can generally be found between November and April at Sodwana Bay, but visit between December and February for the highest chance of sightings.
Can you see whale sharks in December?
In November and December, whale sharks can often be seen along with giant mantas, humpback whales, and large gamefish. Check it out for yourself by joining our February 2022 Socorro Islands trip.
Where are whale sharks in December?
Whale sharks are year-round residents of the Maldives, tending to favour the western side of the Indian Ocean archipelago from May to December, then heading to the east until April. South Ari Atoll is a Marine Protected Area.
Do whale sharks live in cold water?
Whale sharks inhabit the open waters in the world’s tropical oceans and are rarely found in waters with temperatures below 21 °C (70 °F).
What temperature do whale sharks swim in?
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are found throughout the world’s tropical and warm, temperate seas. They are known to inhabit both deep and shallow coastal waters and the lagoons of coral islets and reefs, and prefer surface seawater temperatures of 21 – 25 degrees Celsius.
What is the best month to swim with whale sharks?
While there are year-round whale shark sightings, the best time to visit is March to April when the highest concentrations of these magnificent pelagics come to visit.
Is swimming with whale sharks safe?
While whale sharks have a huge mouth, they almost exclusively feed on plankton. That is why they are absolutely harmless to humans. They are mainly interested in fish eggs, algae and krill, and they are definitely not interested in the person swimming next to them.
Do whale sharks swim close to shore?
Thanks to their size, whale sharks aren’t difficult to spot. However, unlike actual whales, whale sharks do not breach. As gill-breathing fish, they stay underwater at all times. And as open water fish, they are not usually found close to shore.
Can you touch a whale shark?
It is illegal to touch a whale shark, so make sure to swim out of the way if one swims toward you. There’s no mistaking their large size and tremendous power, especially of their tail!
Can you snorkel with whale sharks?
Feeding primarily on plankton, whale sharks are found in tropical locations around the globe. Both diving and snorkelling encounters with these ancient giants are possible, ensuring divers and non-divers alike can marvel at their beauty.
What are the dangers to whale sharks?
Whale sharks are highly valued on international markets. Demand for their meat, fins and oil remains a threat to the species, particularly by unregulated fisheries. They are victims of bycatch, the accidental capture of non-target species in fishing gear.
Do whale sharks bite?
Whale sharks are filter feeders and can neither bite nor chew. They can process more than 6,000 litres of water an hour through their gills.
Where are whale sharks most commonly found?
They are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from the coast of New York in the United States to central Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Do whale sharks come to the surface?
Whale sharks and other deep-diving fish return to the surface to warm up from the cold water, new research says. ONE OF THE MANY mysteries about the world’s largest fish seems to have been solved: just why whale sharks frequently come to the surface.
Do orcas eat whale sharks?
However, the organization does note that orcas were documented hunting and partially eating a whale shark in Baja California about twenty-two years ago, although that video was shot above water by a John O. The recent interaction has sparked conversations worldwide, with marine scientist Dr.
Are whale sharks intelligent?
It is an intelligent animal who demonstrates the ability to learn. Captive sharks in aquariums exhibit changes in their behavior when humans come to feed them as they begin to swim in circles. Observations indicate that they sometimes perform a cough-like activity, presumably to clean their filter pads.
How much does it cost to swim with whale sharks?
Snorkel and Swim with the Biggest Fish in Mexico!
The fee of the whale shark marine park ($7 per person).
Can you swim in Exmouth in January?
The average sea water temperature in Exmouth in January is 19.1° which is comfortable for swimming though some may prefer warmer water.
Why can’t you scuba dive with whale sharks?
Are you allowed to scuba dive with the Whale Sharks? No, you are not. In fact, because the Whale Sharks and mantas remain at the surface in order to feed, you can get in the water with nothing more than a pair of fins and snorkel gear.
Is whale shark scary?
Yes, Whale Sharks are considered a part of the shark family, but no, Whale Sharks are not dangerous. These gentle giants are very docile and extremely agreeable to swimming alongside humans. In fact, they are not very shark-like at all. They feed on plankton, krill, fish eggs, and some deep-sea fish.
Is it safe to swim with orcas?
Is it safe to swim or dive with Orcas? Yes, however, you have to be very cautious, because they are still wild animals and need attention all the time. Orcas owe their name “killer whale” to the early whalers Because they apparently attacked and killed all other animals, even the largest whales.