Wildlife· Cebu· Philippines
Oslob Whale Shark Watching
9° 27.7′ N · 123° 22.7′ E
At Tan-awan, south of Oslob town, fishermen hand-feed whale sharks just off the beach every morning so tourists can snorkel and dive beside them - an unforgettable but controversial encounter, because the feeding changes the sharks' behaviour.
Practical
Coordinates are the Oslob Whale Shark Watching site in OpenStreetMap. Operates mornings only (6:30 am to about noon per Wikivoyage); sessions are limited to 30 minutes. 2016 prices: about 1,000 PHP to snorkel, 1,500 PHP to dive, 500 PHP to watch from a boat - verify locally (Flow paid about 1,000 PHP in 2013). Arrive by 6:00 am to beat the tour buses. Follow the operators' briefing. Some cruisers anchored nearby had whale sharks visit the yacht. Sumilon Island trips leave from the same point; Tumalog Falls is 15 minutes away.
Best for
Swimming with whale sharks (if you accept the ethics)
Season
Year-round, mornings only