Spotting the elusive whale shark is the high point in the careers of many divers. Yet many can go their whole lives without ever seeing this majestic beast. Fortunately, seeing a whale shark is not impossible for the savvy diver who knows where this fish likes to go and when.
What is a Whale Shark?
The whale shark, or Rhincodon typus, is the largest fish in the sea and not a whale. It is a cartilaginous fish like any other shark and breathes through gills. It is also massive – it can grow over 12 meters in length and weigh up to 15 tons. Despite its massive size the whale shark is a gentle giant. It is a filter feeder with tiny teeth that play no role in feeding. This large fish poses no threat to a diver as it eats only plankton, krill, small fish, and jellyfish.
Although their migration patterns are poorly understood the following dive sites are well known for whale shark sightings.
See Whale Sharks in Thailand
Many divers will see their first whale shark off the coasts of Thailand. The top dive spots to see these animals include Richelieu Rock and Hin Daeng to the West of Thailand’s peninsula. These spots are best accessed by traveling through Phuket. Chumphon Pinnacle in the Gulf of Thailand is accessible from the island Koh Tao and is another excellent place for sightings. Whale shark season for all these sights is throughout April and May.
Find Them in Australia’s Ningaloo Reef
Ningaloo Reef, close to Cape Range National Park, is one of the few places whale sharks regularly congregate in large numbers. The reef is best accessed from Exmouth, a small town 1270 kilometers north of Perth. The season runs from April through July but again the best time for sightings is April and May.
Try Utila Island Off of Honduras
Utila touts itself as the whale shark capital of the Carribean with sightings occurring year round. Although they can be spotted throughout the year the best times to look are March through April and August through September. A whale shark sighting usually involves just one of these massive creatures, however it is possible to see 5 or more whale sharks in the waters around Utila.
Look for Whale Sharks near the Seychelles Islands
The Seychelles are located in the Indian Ocean a little over 800 miles north of Madagascar. Shark researchers have been monitoring whale sharks off the island of Mahe for the past 12 years and have recorded over 300 different resident whale sharks. The best time to see whale sharks here is October, although they can also be found in August and September.
Respect Whale Sharks in Their Habitat
A diver who is fortunate to come upon a whale shark must remember to treat the creature with respect. A diver must never touch one of these magnificent animals – or any marine creature for that matter. Not only is touching unhealthy for the animal, getting too close can scare the creature away and thus ruin a sighting. It is also important to note that whale sharks are an endangered species. They are listed as a vulnerable species in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Although Taiwan banned whale shark harvesting in 2008, many continue to be slaughtered in the Indian Ocean. Whale sharks ought to be appreciated in their environments – alive and at a respectful distance.
Megan Jungwi - Megan Jungwi started her freelance writing career in March 2009. Although new to online writing Megan has long been passionate about the ...
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