Why You Should Think Twice Before Diving With Whale Sharks

To get up close and personal with the majestic butanding (whale shark) is a chance many people would jump at. But is it time to consider the true cost of this holiday adventure?

In the coastal municipality of Oslob, on the island of Cebu, an entire industry has been built on the tourist experience of swimming with the largest species of fish on Earth, the whale shark. For around half a decade now, Oslob’s tourism industry has enjoyed a surge of visitors looking for the chance to head out to sea for a close encounter with these creatures.

From as early as six in the morning, eager tourists line the shore of barangay (village) Tan-Awan. Here, they board small boats and head out to sea, where the whale sharks are lured to the surface with krill. Tourists can view from aboard the boat or join the gentle giants in the water for a 30-minute encounter. But while this once-in-a-lifetime experience sounds tempting, it’s also been receiving growing levels of criticism.

For one, while a short mandatory orientation is given before the encounter, many have remarked on the poor implementation of rules and regulations. The minimum distance between tourist and animal, for example, is frequently breached, with some swimmers even going as close as touching the whale sharks.

Another problem being discussed is the possible long-term effects of the daily feedings: growing dependence from the creatures on human intervention, its repercussions on their natural migration cycles (and therefore breeding and population) and an insufficiency of nutrients due to the feeding of solely krill.

Last week, the first steps were taken towards improving the situation at a UN wildlife conference on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) held in Manila. Here, the Philippine delegates’ insistence on increased protection for whale sharks was recognized – the creature has now joined the list of several other endangered species that will receive greater international protection in the future.

However, these governmental efforts are not enough to ensure sustainable eco-tourism. That will be largely down to the tourists themselves. In today’s age of quick and easy travel, being a responsible, informed holidaymaker is a small price to pay for the accessibility of these experiences. Take some time to research places and activities, and be mindful of your actions and their possible impacts — they are likely to be greater than you think.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration, the Donsol community in Bicol is a perfect example of how people can change their ways. The locals here went from hunting these whale sharks to now taking small numbers of eco-tourism groups out to look for them. And while the community’s policy not to feed these animals means that there’s no guarantee of a sighting, if you are fortunate enough to witness a whale shark, you can be sure it was not at the expense of nature or these majestic creatures.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.