These enigmatic and graceful giants are more often seen close to the surface, making that elusive encounter possible for divers and snorkellers alike. Despite their elusive nature and endangered species status, we're delighted to report that whale shark awareness is on the increase, and we have confirmed sightings from Regaldive divers holidaying in Egypt, Oman, Maldives, Philippines, Galapagos, Azores, Indonesia and other destinations around the world.

We've put together a couple of options for those looking to maximise their chances of an underwater encounter with these gentle giants on a range of whale shark tours. Just don't forget your camera!

Where to dive with whale sharks?

Maldives

In the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives, there are several dive sites where you can reliability swim with whale sharks alongside other large marine life in warm tropical waters. Throughout the year plankton rich waters attract the world’s biggest fish, meaning diving with whale sharks has a very high success rate.

Dhigurah Island, located in the South Ari Atoll is on the edge of a marine protected area, a famous whale shark region where these beautiful creatures can be seen all year round. Visitors to Boutique Beach Hotel can enjoy warm tropical waters and palm trees while going out on dives and whale shark snorkelling tours to encounter these amazing creatures.

Further north in Baa Atoll, seasonal plankton blooms from July to October attract manta rays in their hundreds. The nutrient rich water attracts other pelagics, such as whale sharks, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hanifaru Bay. Here, only snorkelling trips are allowed in the bay itself, in an effort to help ocean conservation. Those staying at Reethi Beach Resort have an excellent likelihood to dive with whale sharks and manta rays.

Galapagos

For more experienced divers, the Galapagos Islands are recognised as one of the world's best locations to encounter adult whale sharks in large numbers, specifically between May and November. Galapagos liveaboard trips journey around the archipelago and dives at Wolf and Darwin Islands, where seasonal sightings of whale sharks and other pelagic species are common. Declared a marine protected area in 1998, the Galapagos Island Marine Reserve covers almost 200,000 km² and is on many scuba divers bucket list, by travelling during the plankton blooms in the summer months you’ll have a good likelihood of diving with whale sharks.

In this area it’s also possible to see hammerheads sharks, silky sharks, and Galapagos sharks around Darwin Island and on the main archipelago marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and a variety of endemic bird species.

Mexico

Mexico has multiple options for whale shark encounters. With Baja California bordering the Pacific coastline and the Caribbean Sea encircling the Yucatan Peninsula, there's plenty of ocean to uncover.

Starting on the western coast is Baja California, there are two options for whale shark sightings. The Sea of Cortez is a haven for pelagic species and larger sea creatures. The nutrient rich waters fluctuate throughout the year, so if you want to witness whale sharks gather, the best time is from late November through to March. Liveaboard trips to Socorro Islands for more advanced divers, and those with their sea legs, from May-July diver can see oceanic manta ray and bait ball, and it’s also the best time for whale shark encounters.

On the Yucatan Peninsula the best time to spot whale sharks is from June to September, around Isla Mujeres. During the summer months snorkelling tours depart daily with almost guaranteed success rates of spotting the whale shark aggregation. It's not uncommon to have manta rays, turtles, and dolphins show up too! Isla Mujeres is park of a 85km2 marine park, and is arguably one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks.

Indonesia

In Southeast Asia, the tropical waters of Indonesia’s Coral Triangle deliver again. Not only whale sharks are seasonally spotted around the archipelago, but also large marine life such as manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and reef sharks can be seen while scuba diving.

The best chance of spotting whale sharks in Indonesia is by liveaboard. Sailings are able to reach further afield and into the whale sharks natural habitat, Cenderawasih Bay and Triton Bay are reporting regular sightings in summer and winter respectively. For hundreds of year 'jukung' - traditional fishing vessels - have been shark’s main focus, as local believe the majestic creatures to be sacred and split their catch. This ancient relationship has also aided conservation efforts, as scuba divers and snorkellers alike are keen to see this beautiful friendship.

Whale sharks can also been seen close to national park of Komodo. The Mermaid I and Mermaid II vessels are swinging by Saleh Bay on their way back to port to offer snorkelling and diving with whale sharks. The nutrient rich waters of the bay attract whale sharks and have an excellent success rates.

Tanzania

On the Indian Ocean side of Africa, off the coast of Tanzania, lays Mafia Island. The waters around this island are a marine protected area, with seasonal plankton blooms occurring from late December through to March, attracting whale sharks as they feed. Successful snorkelling tours throughout this time, providing opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks. More common in this area are juvenile whale sharks, but for the largest fish in the ocean, they still measure 3–10 metres in length.

The scuba diving is also wonderful in this area, with strong tidal currents Mafia Islands waters are rich with marine life. Off the beaten track, this destination offers culture, peace and quiet, and whale shark sightings.

To organise your whale shark diving holiday, or for more information, please contact our friendly, specialist team on 01353 659999.

Sales Consultant, Cath Bates

“When I worked as a dive guide in Sharm el Sheikh, we used to call whale sharks the Giant Spaceship Fish! Although ironically enough, the whale sharks passing through there were juveniles and usually no more than 4 or 5 metres in length.

We would have months in spring with more plankton than usual in the water - which would draw them in - or they would munch on schools of silversides at the warmer local dive sites. However, my best encounter was during decompression after a technical dive on Ras Za’atar in Ras Mohamed.

As my student and I ascended up the sheer wall from 55 metres towards the shallows, a lone spotty fellow joined us. As if mocking our attempts at perfect horizontal buoyancy, he turned, so his tail faced the depths and ascended with us. He did so without moving any part of his body that was designed for propulsion. All I could think was the age-old instructor adage of “breathe continuously and never hold your breath!”

It was a special moment to share our off-gassing with that mythical creature. As we hit 12 metres he opened his mouth, eyeballed us sarcastically and swam off with perfect horizontal buoyancy into the blue!”

Manager, Phil North

“I had to wait a long time to see my first whale shark. 

Working as a dive guide and videographer in Thailand, where whale sharks are seen relatively frequently, I often heard the whoops of fellow divers with envy having missed the moment myself. 

Then, one day, I exited the Cathedral Caves at Ko Haa to hear some urgent tank ringing in the distance. Instinct told me these weren’t the sounds of an instructor trying to get the attention of an errant student. I swam out into the blue a little, trying to follow the sound. 

Then, emerging from the hazy distance, there it was. A whale shark, swimming right towards me! What a moment. A thrill I will never, ever, forget.”

Product Executive, Joanna Charter

“Spotting the elusive whale shark is a truly special sighting. 

I’ve been lucky enough to see whale sharks in the Daymaniyat Islands (Oman), Isla Mujeres (Mexico), and Djibouti. 

Each encounter has left me giddy with excitement, there's nothing more humbling than being in the presence of one of the ocean’s giants. These experiences have also left me either absolutely knackered from huffing and puffing down a snorkel, or in such sheer shock at actually seeing one that I’m unable to use my camera properly and miss the whole encounter. 

While in Oman, I was so excited to see the whale shark that I jumped in without my fins, mask, snorkel, and camera! The crew of the Oman Explorer realised what I’d done before I did and were swift to get my camera to me just at the right moment to capture the special meeting, I am forever grateful to them!”

We feature a range of destinations where you can swim and snorkel with whale sharks around the world. You can also join us on an exciting Whale Shark Expedition in the Galapagos, where you’ll have the chance to dive with and learn from expert whale shark researcher, Sofía Green Iturralde. This week-long trip, aboard the Aqua Galapagos liveaboard, supports the research of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project.

Interested in diving with whale sharks? Our diving experts can help you choose a destination or plan your ideal diving holiday. Get in touch today.

Diving with whale sharks ranks near the top of any diver’s bucket list. These gentle giants of the underwater world may look intimidating due to their enormous size but in fact they are known to pose no threat to humans, and munch their way through algae, plankton and krill, filtered from seawater through their enormous mouths. The largest fish on the planet, whale sharks can be up to 40 feet long and live for 80 years!

These enigmatic and beautiful creatures are more often seen close to the surface, making that elusive encounter all the more possible for divers and snorkelers alike. Despite their dwindling numbers and endangered species status, we are delighted to report that whale shark awareness is on the increase and we have recent sightings from Regaldive divers holidaying in Egypt, Oman, Philippines, Galapagos, Azores, Djibouti and other destinations around the world.

To mark this week’s International Whale Shark Day, we’ve put together a couple of options for those looking to maximise their chances of an underwater encounter with these gentle giants. Just don’t forget your camera!

The Daymaniyat Islands, off the coast of Muscat in Oman, have been placed under the protection of UNESCO and can offer less experienced divers the rare chance to swim with whale sharks, encountered from June to September. The islands provide divers with pristine coral gardens, walls and abundant fish life to admire, as well as other shark species including leopard sharks. Seven nights’ at the Nabucco's Al Sawadi Beach Resort, which proves easy access to the Daymaniyat islands, cost from £970 per person to include flights, transfers and seven nights’ half board accommodation, based on two people sharing. A three day dive pack costs from £173 per person, to include two unguided boat dives per day, air tanks and weights.

For more experienced divers, the Galapagos Islands are recognised as one of the world’s best locations to encounter whale sharks in large numbers, specifically between May and November. Regaldive’s eight day Galapagos Sky liveaboard journeys around Wolf and Darwin Islands, allowing divers the chance to swim alongside whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, dolphins and rays. The liveaboard includes two dives at Darwin’s Arch, where seasonal sightings of whale sharks are common. Costing from £4,591 per person, the package includes flights, transfers, two nights’ B&B hotel accommodation, seven nights’ Half Board boat accommodation on board the Galapagos Sky, some drinks, three dives per day on Wolf and Darwin Island, air tanks and weights.

Galapagos Special Offer

Book by 16 October 2013 for an incredible saving of up to £660 per person on liveaboard sailings aboard the luxuriously-appointed Galapagos Sky. This boat offers really incredible levels of service - they will even bring you tea in bed! This limited special offer is valid for sailings on 6, 20 and 27 December 2013, and 17 January, 7 and 21 February, 14 and 28 March 2014.

For more information call 01353 659 999.

Thanks to Simon Rogerson for the incredible imagery of whale sharks in Djibouti.