The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world, measuring up to 40 ft! Despite it’s size and scary name, the Whale Shark is a very friendly fish and doesn’t pose a serious threat to humans. It floats around the ocean graciously and slowly, scooping up as much plankton as it can find. The Whale Shark is found in tropical and warm oceans.

Whale Sharks can be found in many places, including the Bay Islands in Honduras, Thailand, the Philippines, the Maldives, the Red Sea, Western Australia (Ningaloo Reef, Christmas Island), Taiwan, Panama (Isla Coiba), Belize, Tofo Beach in Mozambique, Sodwana Bay (Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park) in South Africa, the Galapagos Islands, Isla Mujeres and Bahía de los Ángeles in Mexico, the Seychelles, West Malaysia, islands off eastern peninsular Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Oman, Fujairah, and Puerto Rico.

The Whale Shark, what a magnificent creature!

As the Whale Shark is a migratory fish, in most places you’ll have to show up at the right time to have a chance of an encounter. There is a place where you are almost guaranteed to see some all year round though: just off the coast of the little town of Oslob, on the southern part of the island of Cebu, The Philippines.

For more information, check out www.oslobwhalesharks.com.

22 February 2013 Jasper