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Swimming along with the one of the largest fish in the ocean is certainly one of the ultimate bucket-list experiences for everyone who loves wildlife. Just imagine yourself taking a dive in the water with Whale Sharks all around you, thrilling, isn’t it? No wonder, nothing can be more exciting than having a one-on-one encounter with the largest fish that rules the sea. If this is what drives you crazy, luckily, there are a handful of destinations around the world where this amazing activity can be best enjoyed. But do remember do keep a good distance from the gentle giants as they are really short tempered.
The place is approximately 25-minute boat ride from the mainland; Quintana Roo’s major northernmost island is the epitome of electrifying Cancun, just 150kms to the south.
When to be there: You can find regular tours departing daily from June to September while July to August being the peak season. This is the time when the whale sharks arrive to feed.
Where to stay: Most of the tour operators there offer a speedboat pick-up from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. However, you may even find numerous Lodging ranges from cheap hostels including Tribu Hostel, to mid-range guesthouses like the one Holbox Apartments and Suites and even few plush hotels such as Palapas del Sol.
Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
One of Australia’s largest and easily accessible fringing coral reef, Ningaloo is situated over 1200 km north of west coast capital Perth. The place is a declared UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011, and its 300 km stretch plays host to over 500 species of fish including Whale Shark.
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When to be there: Generally, whale sharks arrive here to feed between mid-March and July that is followed by a mass coral spawning.
Where to stay: Majority of the tours depart from Exmouth, providing pick-ups from local caravan parks and hotels nearby including Novotel Ningaloo.
North of the celebrated Party Island Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand is Koh Tao, best known for its cheap diving options. You may easily spot Whale sharks here around the Chumphon Pinnacle, that is located just a 15-minute boat ride from the main island.
When to be there: Whale shark encounters are not a very big deal here as you may get to spot them round the year and especially from April to June.
Where to stay: The prices of hotels and resorts drop once you sign-in for a scuba course at some of the comfortable dive lodges including the Bans or Big Blue.
Interestingly, as per records few of the earliest scientific whale shark came from the Seychelles. And this is the only place where the placid beasts are well protected. No wonder, the largest island in the Indian Ocean archipelago, Mahé is the best known place to spot them easily.
When to be there: A great chunk of Whale Sharks migrate past Mahé during August and November, with sightings become most prominent in the month of October.
Where to stay: One of the best available options is the Four Seasons Seychelles Dive Centre that has recently collaborated with the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles to provide snorkeling trips during October.
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