One of the most popular destinations in the world for swimming with whale sharks is in Oslob, The Philippines. The Cebu Province where this activity takes place has very few laws to protect the whale sharks and tours don’t need to adhere to any regulations.
Is swimming with whale sharks ethical?
The short answer is yes – when it’s done right, absolutely. But the truth is, not all whale shark tourism has these creatures’ best interests in mind, let alone the environment. Before you book your whale shark experience – it’s important to check that the swim is both ethical and environmentally sustainable.
Where is the best place to swim with the whale sharks?
Ningaloo Reef currently holds the world’s highest rate of whale shark swim numbers and accessibility of interaction, making Ningaloo one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks.
Is it ethical to use whale sharks for ecotourism?
The whale shark ecotourism program is widely known to be a highly ethical avenue for whale shark watching, as the whale sharks are protected and monitored by the local people and volunteers of WWF and local NGOs.
Where can you free dive with whale sharks?
- Mexico. Easily accessible from both the United States and Europe, Mexico is one of the lucky locations to be graced by whale sharks.
- Belize. Gladden Spit in Belize is another of the best places to dive with whale sharks.
- The Philippines.
- Tanzania.
- Australia.
- The Maldives.
- Mozambique.
- The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Does swimming with whale sharks hurt them?
It is perfectly safe to swim and snorkel with whale sharks, for people and the sharks. They are filter feeders, not predators, eating only tiny plankton. They don’t have teeth, and there have been no deliberate attacks on humans. Snorkelers can observe them at a relatively close distance.
Can I swim with whale sharks on my period?
The answer is very simple: Yes, it is ok to dive during your period and there is no evidence that your chances of being attacked by a shark increase (see more from Divers Alert Network).
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 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!
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.
Why is whale shark tourism such a controversial issue?
But the operation is controversial, because whale sharks don’t naturally gather here, unlike other such sites in the country. The Oslob sharks are hand-fed, and this essentially guarantees they will show up to thrill guests, who can snap close-range photos.
What are the negative impacts of whale shark tourism?
Our study highlights negative effects of vessel and swimmer approaches on whale shark behaviour, with a short-term increase in stress-related behaviours potentially carrying energetic costs, combined with a decrease in food intake following the disturbance.
How much does it cost to swim with whale sharks in Philippines?
3,500 PHP
Cost for Diving With Whale Sharks: Registration is 150 PHP per person, and snorkel gear hire is 300 PHP per set. Tour packages cost 3,500 PHP for the entire boat (up to 7 people). This includes half-day boat rental, snorkel gear, spotters, a guide, and a Butanding (whale shark) interaction officer.
Can a whale shark swallow a human?
And suddenly you might worry that that could actually happen to you. Could a whale shark swallow you by accident? The quick answer is no.
Can you swim with whale sharks in Mexico?
The Baja Peninsula is where Mexico’s whale sharks spend their time the rest of the year. Visit from November to May for a good chance of seeing whale sharks without the crowds. One important note: You need to book a guided tour to swim with whale sharks as Mexican laws and regulations protect them.
Can you swim with whale sharks in Bali?
Whale sharks are some of the largest and most mysterious creatures on earth — and Cenderawasih Bay is one of the rare places you can enjoy a guaranteed swim with them in relative seclusion.
Is a whale shark friendly?
Are whale sharks friendly? Yes – whale sharks are friendly creatures! Although they can reach up to 20 meters in length, this shark is totally harmless to humans.
What should you not do swimming with whale sharks?
Never ever touch a whale shark – it can cause them undue stress and they may dive into deeper waters, thus ruining it for everybody. We stick with the three metre rule to ensure there’s no stress to the fish, and we’re not encroaching on its natural swimming behaviour. Three metres is still super close though!
Can kids swim with whale sharks?
Children six years or younger are not usually allowed to swim with a whale shark unless the child has previous experience swimming in the ocean, and the parent is confident in the child’s ability in the water.
Will sharks smell period blood?
Any bodily fluid released into the water is likely detectable by sharks. A shark’s sense of smell is powerful – it allows them to find prey from hundreds of yards away. Menstrual blood in the water could be detected by a shark, just like any urine or other bodily fluids.
Can animals smell period blood?
It turns out that both cats and dogs are able to detect menstruation by odor and hormonal levels. Of course, they don’t actually have any scientific concept of what’s happening in your uterus, but they do know that something is going on.