Whale shark diving: where and when
Highly migratory, circumtropical. 22 known encounter sites across 14 countries: Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Maldives and Tanzania and others. Best single site: Ningaloo Reef (Exmouth / Coral Bay), WA, Australia — very high reliability, peak apr-jul. No certification is required at the easiest sites — some are snorkel or freedive only.
- Sites
- 22
- IUCN status
- Endangered
- Min. certification
- No certification
- Typical depth
- Surface–45 m
14 countries
Every known whale shark site
Very high reliability
Ningaloo Reef (Exmouth / Coral Bay), WA
Australia
Peak Apr-Jul · Surface-5 m
No certification needed
Very high reliability
Cenderawasih Bay (Nabire), West Papua
Indonesia
Peak Year-round · Surface-15 m
No certification needed
Very high reliability
Oslob, Cebu
Philippines
Peak Year-round · Surface-5 m
No certification needed
Very high reliability
Isla Mujeres / Isla Holbox (Afuera)
Mexico
Peak Jun-Sep · Surface
No certification needed
Very high reliability
South Ari Atoll (Dhigurah / Maamigili)
Maldives
Peak Nov-May · Surface-30 m
No certification needed
High reliability
Donsol, Sorsogon
Philippines
Peak Feb-Apr · Surface
No certification needed
High reliability
Bahia de La Paz, Baja California Sur
Mexico
Peak Nov-Feb · Surface
No certification needed
High reliability
Mafia Island
Tanzania
Peak Oct-Feb · Surface
No certification needed
High reliability
Praia do Tofo, Inhambane
Mozambique
Peak Oct-Mar · Surface-20 m
No certification needed
High reliability
Gulf of Tadjoura
Djibouti
Peak Nov-Jan · Surface
No certification needed
High reliability
Gladden Spit, Placencia
Belize
Peak Apr-May · 5-30 m
Needs: Open Water
High reliability
Darwin & Wolf Islands, Galapagos
Ecuador
Peak Jun-Nov · 10-40 m
Needs: Experienced
Moderate reliability
Bahia de los Angeles, Sea of Cortez
Mexico
Peak Aug-Oct · Surface
No certification needed
Moderate reliability
Mahe (Beau Vallon)
Seychelles
Peak Aug-Oct · Surface-20 m
No certification needed
Moderate reliability
Utila, Bay Islands
Honduras
Peak Mar-Apr · Surface-25 m
Needs: Open Water
Moderate reliability
St Helena, South Atlantic
St Helena (UK)
Peak Jan-Mar · Surface-20 m
Needs: Open Water
Low reliability
Raja Ampat (Dampier Strait / Misool)
Indonesia
Peak Jan-Mar · Surface-25 m
Needs: Open Water
Low reliability
Richelieu Rock, Surin / Similan (Andaman Sea)
Thailand
Peak Feb-Apr · 15-35 m
Needs: Advanced
Low reliability
Hin Daeng & Hin Muang, Koh Lanta (Andaman Sea)
Thailand
Peak Feb-Apr · 15-40 m
Needs: Advanced
Low reliability
Koh Tao: Chumphon Pinnacle & Southwest Pinnacle (Gulf of Thailand)
Thailand
Peak Mar-May · 15-45 m
Needs: Advanced
Low reliability
Koh Tao: Sail Rock (Gulf of Thailand)
Thailand
Peak Mar-May · 5-40 m
Needs: Open Water
Low reliability
Koh Tao: Shark Island (shore-accessible)
Thailand
Peak Mar-Jun · Surface
No certification needed
Other shark encounters
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