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 View 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.
★★★★☆ 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.
★★★★★ 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.
★★★★★ Roca Partida
Roca Partida may seem like it is out in the middle of nowhere, sitting approximately 70 miles west of Socorro and 85 miles from San Benedicto, but it is thriving with life. Accessible only by liveaboard, this is an advanced dive on a pinnacle that rises from hundreds of feet of water.
★★★★★ Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is one of the most popular dive sites in Surin Islands National Park. It is a limestone reef that rises almost vertically from a depth of 35 meters, and appears only at low tide, about 1 meter above the surface.