The biggest fish in the sea never fails to mesmerize divers and snorkelers. An underwater enthusiast's bucket list creature, the whale shark is mega and mighty ranging from 5.5 meters to 10 meters in length (with the largest ever recorded measuring 18.8 meters!) Although huge with an enormous mouth big enough to consume several humans, it is a gentle giant without an ounce of aggression; like a placid Labrador living in the sea, the whale shark is as calm and sweet as it is gargantuan. Plus, its diet is rather tame - this big boy doesn't consume fish or people; it tucks into copious amounts of plankton. That's right, the biggest fish in the ocean only chows down on one of the smallest: plankton - a bizarre but fascinating fact.
Couple this with its colossal size, beautiful patterns, and interesting behaviors, and this particular ocean-dweller is one of the most sought-after sights in the sea; however, it's incredibly elusive, often being a chance encounter made possible by a significant stroke of luck. Widespread across the tropics, whale sharks can be seen where the water is warm - from the Caribbean and South America to the Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and Africa's coast. But finding one still proves a difficult feat, even for the world's most seasoned divers.
What's more, whale sharks face environmental pressures and threats from human activity, which now means they are an endangered species, making sightings of these marvelous super-sized finners even rarer. However, despite their uncommon appearances in the wild, it is possible to spot them - so long as people look in the right places and go with eco-friendly, sustainable dive and tour operators, of course. For swimmers, snorkelers, and divers alike, the following list of some of the planet's top dive sites has been created, allowing ocean fans to pick the most appropriate destinations for their whale shark spotting adventures.
9 The Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
Located on the superb species-laden east coast of Africa is Djibouti - a region of intense biodiversity that houses some of planet earth's healthiest coral reefs as well as memorable whale shark dive sites. How and why is this region so 'pelagically' populous? Well, the remarkable Gulf of Tadjoura draws in adolescent whale sharks thanks to its nutrient-rich waters incoming from the surrounding Indian Ocean currents that generate plankton blooms, in turn tempting the ravenous big boys that follow their growling stomachs.
Take note that the best time for whale shark-watching here is from November to February, during which time the luckiest folks with the keenest eyes might even be able to observe them swimming near the shores of Arta Beach and Ras Eiro.
8 Utila, Honduras
Utila isn't called 'The Whale Shark Capital of the Caribbean’ for nothing. Almost record-breaking encounters with these gigantic finned swimmers take place at a huge number of dive sites in and around Utila, with many sightings even taking place from the shore. In particular, it's the north side of the island at which divers enjoy hanging out with whale sharks, where ideal topography consisting of shallow reefs blending out into the open ocean makes for the perfect underwater playground for both people and pelagics - notably, the iconic site named 'Utila Open Water.'
Luckily, divers can spot whale sharks here year-round, but the best months with the densest concentrations of whale sharks are March and April, followed by August and September. Furthermore, as one of the most popular (and most affordable!) diving destinations in the world, subaquatic explorers in Utila have tons of options to choose from when looking for excursions and dive trips. Plus, what makes this area of the world stand out is its dedicated Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center, whose experts developed proper whale shark guidelines that were injected into Honduran law to help protect and preserve the island's resident whale shark communities.
7 Pillars of Evolution, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
This rich volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean near Ecuador is a renowned set of diving hotspots. Making an impression on Charles Darwin himself, the Galápagos Islands are worthy of any wildlife lover's bucket list with their wide array of species and endemic creatures - both on land and below the waves. Among the best areas for whale shark spotting is Darwin Island, where the region's most famous dive sites promise frequent encounters with these elusive sub-sea giants.
Limited to liveaboard vessel access only, Darwin Island's 'Pillars of Evolution' wall-and-drift dive site is one of the top big sea animal spots for scoping out whale sharks. Previously, this world-famous point on the atlas was called 'Darwin's Arch' but has since been renamed after its namesake rocky archway collapsed into the sea on May 17, 2021.
Over and above that, these parts are also home to a wealth of Galápagos natives, such as Galápagos tortoises, marine iguanas, and penguins, all of which are possible to encounter while scuba diving in this part of the archipelago. Alongside this, lovers of the big stuff will have a 'whale' of a time during whale shark season from June to December, when sightings of reef sharks, schools of hammerheads, pilot whales, and humpback whales often form part of the diving day.
6 Donsol Bay, South Luzon, Philippines
The Philippines is fantastic for budget-seeking travelers and divers of all skill levels - be they beginners or divemasters. In particular, though, there's one dot on this over seven-thousand-islands-country's map that gets the attention today. Donsol is a tiny village on the south of Luzon Island full of friendly locals, but visitors shouldn't let its small size fool them, for there's more going on here than one might initially assume - and the action all takes place underwater.
This is one of the Philippines' epic whale shark destinations, where these gentle creatures approach the area's bay to search for plankton to feed on. On the whole, the ideal time to head to Donsol for the famed in-water experience is from December to May, with the time between February and April offering the best conditions. For the moment, the local government of Donsol only permits people to snorkel with the whale sharks; diving is not currently allowed. However, scuba divers can get in on the fun by discovering nearby sites like Manta Bowl and the handful of other amazing whale shark-scoping spots around Ticao Island.
5 Sun Island, South Ari Atoll, the Maldives
The sunny and sublime atoll nation of the Maldives offers sightings of whale sharks throughout the year. Still, for the best experience with ideal ocean conditions and the clearest water, divers should head to South Ari Atoll between December and May in the week just before a full moon. Ultimately, there are no lack of excellent whale shark diving areas in this atoll and the rest of the Maldives; encounters are possible at so many sites, so no matter where one dives, it's advisable to keep one eye out in the blue at all times - just in case the alluring giant silhouette of the seas' heftiest creature happens to pass by.
On the other hand, those that want a higher probability of whale shark sightings can visit the shallow reefs on Sun Island's southern shore, where a shallow plateau offers meetings between whale sharks, divers, and snorkelers. This southern side of South Ari Atoll frequently plays host to the smaller, younger variants of these white-spotted beasts between three and eight meters in length. Thanks to the location being a safe feeding ground away from predators, hungry and growing young specimens get to thrive and enjoy a consistent supply of food, much to snorkelers' and divers' benefit.
4 Mandu Wall, Ningaloo Reef, Australia
Stretching 160 miles along Australia's west coast, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ningaloo Reef is a marine haven home to several hundred species of coral, mollusks, invertebrates, and fish - and that includes the biggest of them all, the wondrous whale shark. Easy to access, this sensational dive site is one of the absolute best places to hunt for meet-ups with whale sharks - in fact, they're so commonly seen that most local dive centers and tour operators can almost guarantee a sighting.
The popular way to search for these majestic sea animals is by hopping on a snorkeling tour to explore Ningaloo's stunning reefs and eerie open ocean areas; however, there are a few scuba diving opportunities as well. Also, those who aren't up for getting wet can opt for a spotter plane tour instead, witnessing whale sharks in an entirely different and unique way - from above. In any case, in terms of whale shark spotting, the best time to visit Ningaloo Reef tends to be between March and June. During the winter months, it's even possible to come across a number of migratory species, too, like manta rays, dolphins, and humpback whales.
3 Simon’s Town, Tofo Beach, Mozambique
Off the coast of Mozambique's Tofo Beach is a plankton soup that draws in hungry whale sharks all year round, firmly placing this quiet location away from the hordes of tourists among Africa's list of prolific whale shark spots. While sightings are possible year-round, locals claim the best time to dive here in search of these enormous fish is from November to February.
Overall, the area boasts a few pretty reef diving spots that offer a decent chance of seeing these mega giants, namely Whale Shark Alley, Marble Arch, Chamber of Secrets, and Simon’s Town - but it's the safety stop at the end of a dive at the latter site that promises enhanced likelihoods. As well as whale sharks, divers also have the chance to meet turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and even humpback whales that pass by throughout their winter migration period.
2 Kwatisore Bay, Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia has only recently become a famous hub for shark-spotting, particularly whale sharks. It boasts an impressive density of these gentle giants, with most sightings taking place in Kwatisore Bay close to Nabire town. Additionally, this dive site and part of Indonesia is still fairly off-the-radar in terms of tourism and dive traffic, which means it's better to visit sooner rather than later before the rest of the world discovers it en masse.
Essentially, what makes this protected bay so spectacular is the great number of whale sharks that exist here in its waters all the time. Year-round, encounters are common, but still, most liveaboard boats travel to the bay between June and October when the weather in other popular diving regions of the country - like Raja Ampat - suffer from bad weather and unappealing diving conditions.
1 Afuera, Isla Holbox, Mexico
It's whale shark galore just off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula - a length of water between Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres that promises whale shark sightings almost every time, especially during July and August. Ocean fanatics who descend here during the whale shark season normally report seeing at least one, although many have claimed to have spotted several at once. In the same season, manta ray sightings are also possible as well, making this a truly breathtaking part of the world to add to the itinerary if encounters with the big stuff are on the cards.
Like many whale shark magnets around the world, scuba diving in Holbox's protected whale shark zones is not allowed. Instead, it's snorkel-only, so leave those tanks at home and choose a well-reputed local excursion business for that day out on the water with the planet's biggest fish.