Swimming alongside a whale shark is one of those experiences where their size only really makes sense once you’re in the water. Growing to more than 12 metres long, these gentle giants move quietly through the ocean feeding on plankton and small fish, and the Philippines is one of the places where you can encounter them in the wild.
But where you see whale sharks in the Philippines matters. In Southern Leyte and Donsol, encounters depend on the natural movement of wild whale sharks, so sightings can never be guaranteed. In some other locations, whale sharks are fed to encourage them to remain in the area, often resulting in large numbers of boats and people around the animals. We do not offer or endorse these feeding-based or overcrowded experiences. Instead, we favour responsible encounters where whale sharks arrive naturally and interactions are carefully managed, with the welfare of the animals taking priority.
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When Is the Best Time to See Whale Sharks in the Philippines?
The best time to see whale sharks in the Philippines depends on where you go. In Southern Leyte, the main season generally runs from November to May, while in Donsol they can usually be seen from November to June, with February to May particularly good months for sightings.
This also overlaps well with the Philippines’ generally drier season, when conditions are better for snorkelling, beaches and island hopping. Weather varies considerably between the islands, though, so our Best Time to Visit the Philippines guide is worth checking when planning a longer route. And, as with any genuine wildlife encounter, even travelling in the best months doesn’t guarantee you’ll find a whale shark.
Where Is the Best Place to See Whale Sharks in the Philippines?
For a natural whale shark encounter, Southern Leyte and Donsol are the places we’d recommend.
In Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte, whale sharks arrive seasonally to feed, with Pintuyan one of the main places to head out in search of them. Local spotters look for sharks in the bay before you enter the water, and because there is no feeding involved, you are watching the animals behaving naturally.
Donsol in southern Luzon is another option we’d consider, particularly between February and May when sightings are generally at their best. As in Southern Leyte, you’re heading out to find wild whale sharks rather than visiting a predictable gathering, so there are never any guarantees. For us, that’s part of what makes the experience worthwhile.
You will also come across Oslob in Cebu when researching whale sharks in the Philippines. Sightings here are possible year-round, but the sharks are fed to encourage them to remain in the area, which can affect their natural behaviour and migration. For that reason, we recommend Southern Leyte or Donsol for a more natural encounter.
What Is a Responsible Whale Shark Encounter?
A responsible encounter means seeing whale sharks without feeding, touching, chasing or obstructing them. Numbers in the water should be controlled, you should keep a safe distance and your guide should brief you on how to behave before you enter the water.
That does mean accepting that you might head out and not find one. If seeing whale sharks is particularly important to you, we’d allow enough time in the itinerary to give you another opportunity rather than relying on a single outing. In Pintuyan, for example, the source experience recommends allowing several days because natural sightings can never be predicted.
Can You Swim, Snorkel or Dive with Whale Sharks?
Yes, you can swim and snorkel with whale sharks in the Philippines, and you don’t need to be a scuba diver. Snorkelling is the main way to experience them, as whale sharks often feed close to the surface. Once one has been located, you’ll enter the water with your guide and watch it swimming alongside or beneath you.
Being comfortable swimming in open water helps, and you’ll need to follow your guide’s instructions about how close you can get. In Pintuyan, snorkel, mask and fins can be hired locally, with guides and spotters accompanying the small boats searching for whale sharks.
Scuba diving with whale sharks is possible in some parts of the Philippines, but it isn’t how every whale shark encounter operates. If diving with whale sharks is specifically what you want to do, we’d plan your route around a suitable location and season rather than assuming it will be possible everywhere.
Planning Whale Sharks into Your Philippines Holiday
If swimming with whale sharks is high on your list, we’d build your route around the right season rather than trying to squeeze the experience into an itinerary where it doesn’t make sense. It can then be combined with other islands, beaches and marine experiences without the whole holiday revolving around a single wildlife sighting.
Explore our Philippines Holiday Ideas, or get in touch with our team and we’ll help you work out where a responsible whale shark experience fits best within your holiday.
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