Diving with Whale Sharks
The Most Gentle Sharks in the World
The whale shark is not only the largest of all sharks, but also the biggest fish in the world. It can grow up to 20 meters long, weigh 34 tons, and live for over 100 years. Its back can appear gray, brown, or blue in color and is covered with bright white stripes and spots arranged in transverse lines.
In contrast to other sharks, whale sharks move slow and steady through the water, reaching a maximum speed of only 5 km/h. This makes it easy to snorkel and dive with whale sharks, allowing plenty of time for you to enjoy observing these incredible animals. They are very peaceful and completely safe, making swimming with whale sharks an extraordinary experience. Preferring warm waters, they populate all tropical seas. They feed on krill and plankton so it’s easy to predict where they will be congregating throughout the year based on krill and plankton blooms. Find out here where whale sharks are commonly seen throughout the year and plan your next trip to go diving with whale sharks.
Dive sites with this animal Show more on map
★★★★☆ Sail Rock, Thailand
Sail Rock is a pinnacle which rises to 15m above and 40m below the surface. Sail Rock lies between Koh Phangan and Koh tao. It’s famous for its natural underwater vertical swim through or chimney which divers can enter at 6 metres and exit at 18.
★★★★★ Koh Bida Nok
This is one our favourite dive sites since it has the widest range of wildlife. The reef gently slopes down from the island apart from the wall at the south west which drops 22-26 meters.
★★★★☆ Marsa Shagra House Reef
Marsa Shagara is a bay with an easy sand bottom entrance that leads to South or North reef dives. The depth starts at 1m and drops to 40m + outside the bay. It is one of the most pristine house reef dives in the south. This dive is great for entry level and experienced divers.
★★★★☆ Rangali Madivaru
Rangali Madivaru (Madi = Manta, Faru = long Reef) is a manta cleaning station located in the channel at approx. 9 meters on the edge where the sloping bottom meets a plateau reef. This dive site is best visited during the manta season when the current is outgoing, otherwise when the current is incoming.
★★★★★ Manta Point, Sekar Kuning
Located in the south of Nusa Penida Island and facing the Indian Ocean, Manta Point can often have big waves. This dive site has large rock mounds which are often visited by manta rays for self cleaning, giving this site it’s name.
★★★★★ Chumphon Pinnacle
The main pinnacle of Chumphon Pinnacle comes as shallow as 14 meters and the deepest point of the site goes as deep as 45 meters. Offering great opportunities for divers at Open Water level through to XR level.