Swim with whale sharks

Swimming with whale sharks is a bucket list activity for many travellers and the Philippines is one of the top places in the world to achieve this dream.

The only place to go for an ethical encounter with one of these gentle giants is Donsol, close to Legaspi. Donsol is home to the Whale Shark Interaction Eco-Tourism Project, which is a champion of sustainable tourism in the Philippines. Daily visitor numbers are restricted, and interactions with the whale sharks are controlled in order to have the least impact possible on the sharks and their environment.  

You will be taken out on an outrigger boat and equipped with snorkeling equipment. A packed lunch will be provided on board, and there will be plenty of time to locate the whale sharks and spend time swimming with them.

The whale sharks visit the bay between the months of December and May. These are wild animals so sightings are never 100% guaranteed, but during this period the chances of an encounter are high.