The world’s oceans are home to incredible creatures that captivate our imagination, not least of which are the gentle giants known as whale sharks. Renowned for their enormous size and unique appearance, whale sharks are the largest shark, and indeed, largest of any fishes alive today.

Join us as we dive into the world of whale sharks, exploring what they are, where they can be found, and how to experience the exhilaration of swimming alongside these majestic beings.

What Are Whale Sharks?

As mentioned, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest fish species on the planet. Just for clarity, the whale shark is the largest non-cetacean animal in the world, so the boast of size doesn’t take into account the infraorder of aquatic mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Just saying ‘whale shark’ can leave one confused, are they a whale or shark? Whether right or wrong, one encourages divers to swim alongside while the other could have swimmers scrambling out of the water.

Whale sharks belong to the shark family, characterized by their cartilaginous skeletons and distinctive features. Growing to a staggering length of around 40 feet (12 meters) and weighing up to 20 tons, these gentle giants glide through the ocean with grace and elegance, doing their best to counter any myths or misconceptions about the species. Their bodies are adorned with a beautiful pattern of light spots and stripes, making them truly mesmerizing to behold.

Neither of us can remember exactly how whale sharks swam onto Wendy’s bucket-list, but she does love the water, is scuba (PADI) certified with more dives under her weight belt than she can count! But Wendy’s not alone, whale sharks have become a popular traveling bucket-list item with their white spotted coloration making these gentle giants easy to distinguish, and popular with snorkelers and divers at sites where they swim together off the coast.

Before arriving in the Maldives, we planned two prior travel adventures around swimming with whale sharks, both of which left us with huge disappointments. To save you from this, here are some tips on finding your opportunity to share the ocean with these stunning creatures.

Where Do They Live?

Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm-temperate waters around the world, often favoring nutrient-rich environments. Whale sharks have very large mouths and are filter feeders, which is a feeding mode that occurs in only two other sharks, the megamouth shark and the basking shark. They feed on plankton, traveling large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and more importantly, to reproduce. This has them frequenting regions such as the Indo-Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, the Red Sea, and the Western Australia coastline.

Quite frankly, their migration patterns are still being studied, but they are known to follow predictable routes during certain times of the year. Studies looking at vertebral growth bands and the growth rates of free-swimming sharks have estimated whale shark lifespans at 80–130 years!

Swimming with Whale Sharks

There are several travel destinations around the world to experience the thrill of swimming with whale sharks in a responsible and sustainable manner. Obviously, Wendy and I went to the Maldives for our experience, partly because the islands were on both our bucket lists and conveniently, the Indo-Pacific enjoys 75% of the entire whale shark population.

Some other popular hotspots include:

• Ningaloo Reef, Australia: Located on the Western Australia coastline, Ningaloo Reef offers visitors a unique opportunity to swim with whale sharks between March and July. Guided tours ensure both the safety of the visitors and the well-being of the whale sharks.

• Isla Holbox, Mexico: Situated off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Holbox is another prime location for swimming with whale sharks. From June to September, these gentle giants congregate here to feed on plankton blooms, providing a thrilling experience for snorkelers and divers.
  
  
• Donsol, Philippines: Known as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World,” Donsol offers an incredible chance to swim with these magnificent creatures between November and June. Visitors can join local eco-tourism initiatives that prioritize sustainable practices and respect for the whale sharks’ natural environment.

Swimming with whale sharks is a privilege that should start with an understanding of great care and respect for the animals and their habitat. When we took our whale shark cruise in the Maldives, twenty-minutes was spent walking everyone through whale sharks, how they’re managing in the overcrowded and sometimes polluted oceans of the world as well as the true privilege it was to swim with them.

Here are some tips to help ensure you have the best, most responsible, and consequently, guilt-free experience:

• Choose ethical operators: Select reputable tour operators that prioritize the well-being of the whale sharks and follow sustainable practices. These operators often provide guidelines for visitors to minimize the impact on the animals and their environment.

• Observe from a distance: Maintain a respectful distance from the whale sharks, allowing them to move freely without disturbance. Touching or riding them should be strictly avoided to ensure their safety and protection.

• Follow local regulations: Familiarize yourself with the local guidelines and regulations regarding swimming with whale sharks. These rules are designed to protect both the animals and the visitors and should be strictly adhered to.

• Practice responsible snorkeling/diving: When entering the water, remember to approach the whale sharks slowly and calmly, avoiding any sudden movements or noise that might startle them. Maintain a horizontal position in the water to minimize the impact on their environment.

Final Thoughts

You can read more about whale sharks and our experience here, and the video will give a great idea on the human chaos and confusion that comes from a typical tour.

Encountering whale sharks in their natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience that allows us to appreciate the wonders of the ocean. These gentle giants, with their massive size and captivating presence, remind us of the importance of conservation and responsible tourism.

At the end of the day, by following ethical practices and respecting the natural behavior of these magnificent creatures, we can ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at the beauty of whale sharks for years to come.