Swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob, Cebu, Philippines
I am still grappling with the fatigue from the trip and plunging into work right after, but I just. had. to. share. I checked off 1 more item off my bucket list! Woohoo! One down, many more to go and totally looking forward to it.
And yes, you read that right. I SWAM WITH THE SHARKS. And there was 5 of them in total!
That was the sole purpose of my Cebu trip, really. It was an amazing, amazing experience. Probably the most amazing travelling experience I have ever had, the excitement of seeing a really huge giant right before my eyes, the adrenaline of being so close to the largest noncetacean animal in the world and being hit by it accidentally while posing for a picture… just. AWESOME.
One in a lifetime experience. And I super regret that I didn’t ask to go again right there and then. I should have!
For some strange reason (i think panic), I couldn’t bring myself to sink in the water there and then. I kept struggling to stay underwater to take the pictures, and it didn’t dawn on me then that I was trying to sink head first (dive position) which is a lot harder rather than butt first (sitting position). That would explain all the awkward positions of me in all the pictures.
The 30 mins that I spent in the water with the whale sharks is totally worth waking up at 4am in the morning for. Plus, the many hours of road journey to get to where the whale sharks were. Totally, totally worth it.
AWESOME RIGHT? Add that to your bucket list too please.
Here’s a run down of the full experience. I journeyed out from my hotel in Cebu Center at 4am in the morning by a van all the way to Oslob (I stayed in Quest Hotel Cebu). We rented the van to carry all 7 of us through the journey and back, as well as to visit a couple of waterfalls along the way back.
We arrived in Oslob at about 9am, and went to BCD’s Place for the whale shark watching/swimming. One can either opt to watch it from the boat (Php500) or go into the water and swim with them (Php1000). Take the latter, it is so much worth the money and it is so affordable (it works out to be only Sgd$30+?) for the experience of the lifetime.
Here’s how it looks like from the shore. Tiny little boats far out in the sea, clustering around the area where the whale sharks swim.
The safety distance is 4m if you are wondering. And right after this, into the boat we go! It’s a tiny boat that looks somewhat like a sampan, but it is surprisingly very sturdy and doesn’t feels like its going to capsize even when all 7 of us are holding to one side of the boat while in the water.
In case you are wondering, please bring along the selfie stick that is waterproof. I had both the bluetooth version and the non bluetooth one and i specifically brought this out into the sea for obvious reasons. It can afford to get wet, because it will!
The experience starts when the boat stops near the whale sharks! You have a grand total of 30 mins to observe these beautiful creatures before the boatman signals you to get back on the boat. If you can swim, you can ditch the life vest like me and just swim around. If you aren’t, just wear the vest and float around.
I recommend stripping that life vest off so that you can go underwater and take awesome pictures. BUT, only if you are a confident swimmer. The water is quite deep and pretty much no one to save you if you cannot quite swim. Bring along an underwater camera and pass it to the boatman. He will be snapping pictures of you non stop and telling you to get under the water at the opportune moment for a perfect picture. All underwater pictures seen here are taken by the boatman except my selfie shot. Underwater camera is a must! For this trip, I used the Canon Powershot D30 and I will be reviewing the camera on my blog soon.
It was a short trip and I didn’t have the time to stay at the beach resort to do this all day but if this is your kind of thing, do consider staying a day or two at the beach resort and clock in as many swims with the whale sharks as possible. The whale sharks viewing is limited from 6am – 12 noon so do take note and arrive early if you are travelling from the city like me.
Cebu skies turn bright very early in the morning and by 5am, the skies are all bright and the sun is up so you don’t have to worry about not being able to see anything if you want to go for this at 6am.
Oh, if you wear spectacles and can’t see without them, I recommend that you bring along your power goggles like what my husband did. He did look a tad weird amongst everyone in those black goggles, but he definitely had a very clear vision of all the sharks! Contact lens not recommended unless you are a pro and very very sure that it won’t disappear into the sea.
That’s all I have to share, and if do drop me a comment if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to share any of the information I know. Meanwhile, stay tuned to the updates of the rest of the trip! I visited 2 waterfalls, took a cruise to Bohol, caught sight of the Tarsier (2nd smallest primate in the world) and some snakes (black mumba!), feed love birds off my hands, went into a butterfly park, and visited the Chocolate Hills with free flow chocolate (joking!!). I also tasted the roast pig that Anthony Bourdain declared as the “Best Pig Ever!”. More to come. Now, let me go grab some sleep first.
*Yawns*
P.s. You aren’t allowed to touch the sharks but I guess its ok for the sharks to touch you? I was posing for a picture underwater when one of them sharks bumped me from behind and I freaked out (kinda screamed under water), lost all my breath and struggled to get away from the shark and to the water surface. Not very pleasant, but an experience nonetheless. And I touched that shark. Hee.
Cherie
Hi there! Thanks for popping by. I'm Cherie, a ftwm (full-time working mum) to 3 lovely kids (2 boys & a princess) and my motto in life is to BE HAPPY. Sure, life isn't all that smooth but it's the mentality that counts, no? This blog documents my life. Or rather, snippets of my life that has passed me by. I love capturing life memories in the blog and being able to read back and laugh at myself (or anyone). I love to eat (A LOT), travel and paint my own nails so the blog is mostly about that. Is that considered lifestyle? Of cos, the family is also very much an integral part of me so there would be loads of memories about the husband and my kids - Jerry (9yo), Jerome (7yo) and Leia (2.5yo) and everyone else that's close to me. I like documenting the kids' milestones, their growing up years, their achievements (and sometimes, mine), and my struggles and battles with motherhood. It sure ain't easy. I love seeking out good food and travelling, is trigger-happy, love new gadgets, love exploring new places and strives to live life to the fullest. I aspire to travel the world as much as I can, to soak in the different sights across the various continents and visit all the Disneylands in the world (almost there!). Have fun reading and do drop me a comment to say hi! Love, Cherie Lim Find me on Instagram.
28 Comments
Susan
That is seriously cool stuff. Silly question but whale sharks don’t bite?
Cherie
Whale sharks’ main diet is planktons in the water, though they sometimes take small fishes or squid. They open their mouth and the sea water just funnel into their body. It’s very cool to watch!
Claudia
THIS IS AWESOME!!! Not sure if I ever dare to this, but imma going to propose to my hub for a trip one day!
Cherie
GO GO GO! Not scary at all one, thought can be a little intimidating when the giant is super near you. Most importantly, its mad affordable to do this!
eddie
Fantastic! You must have had an enjoyable trip since most divers always prize encounters with whale sharks as priceless.
Just a bit of advice is to avoid getting too close to these giants especially the tail section. You wont want to get a slap worth few tons of strength.
And you are absolutely right. Sitting position aka butt down is the best way to take a selfie with them. Jus exhale, yes exhale and you will sink.
Great post!
Cherie
Yes, you bet. Totally experience of a lifetime eh. I want to go back again… i wish my pictures were nicer though! All look super awkward!
SengkangBabies
Too cool!
Bookmarking your cool experience, just in case I book an itinerary too 🙂
This is totally once in a lifetime sort of stuff.
Would you mind sending itinerary (and estimated cost) to me?
Did you happen to see any kids diving too?
cheers, Andy
SengkangBabies
Cherie
I know right. I don’t want to come back from the trip at all! Will try to send you something, but I didn’t go on a tour so I don’t really have a packaged cost.
I don’t remember seeing any kids diving, but so long they are confident in sea/deep water, i don’t see any issue with bringing them there! Oh, i just checked their facebook and saw this picture so i guess the answer is YES!
Cherie
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for the advice! Will keep that in mind when I have the chance to see the whale sharks again.. I wish I remembered the sitting position though..
Tommy
Hi Cherie,
Greetings from Discover . Book . Travel!
Just to let you know that we have added your blog to our list of Singapore Best Travel Blogs! 🙂
http://discoverbooktravel.blogspot.sg/p/singapore-best-travel-blogs.html
Waiwai
Amazing! What a unique experience! I think I need to sign up for swimming lesson first before I have a chance to experience this!
Cherie
LOL! My aunts cant quite swim, and they just don on the life vest and hang on to the boats. Fun experience nonetheless!
Soon Koon
OMG! Looks so dangerous! This is definitely a very good and memorable holiday experience.
Cherie
LOL. I know, but they are probably the only sharks one can get close to. Unforgettable much.
Bumble Bee Mum
I am definitely adding this to my bucket list, this is amazing! Seriously it’s safe?? I think I would freak out too if the shark bumped into me. :p
Cherie
I don’t think there has been any accidents before and the whalesharks eat planktons, so I guess it pretty safe. Just steer clear of their tails in case they slap onto you when they swim..
Shermeen
I have been to cebu so many times but never tried this. Must make mental note to do this next time.
Cherie
You should! It’s just… amazing!
Angie.S
I think David and Dana would so love to try this one day. And I’m only a novice at snorkelling, would I be able to go into water too? We’ve read so much about Cebu from friends and you, it’s slowly climbing up our bucket list of places to go! 😀
Cherie
Go try it some day, it’s a different type of experience. I would want to go back some day again.. and the best part of this is that you don’t even need to find them. They are resident sharks and hang around to feed so they are always there! It’s like guaranteed sighting!
MummyEd
So so awesome!!! And such lovely photos! I was lucky to catch one in the Maldives, but I would definitely jump (hurhur) at the chance to see one again!
Cherie
Most divers I know love catching whalesharks. They are pretty amazing huh. I really wished I had clocked in more time with them and had taken a underwater video of them!
Ruth - Tanama Tales
You guys look so close to the sharks! In some pictures it looks like you are touching them or like they are going to touch you. So cool!
Cherie
I could touch it if I reach out my hands but that’s really not advisable. The whaleshark did bump into me when I was trying to take a picture though. They are so huge, it’s really an awesome experience!
Shirley
OMG i can’t breathe already!!! Havnt seen a whaleshark in more than a decade. The last I saw was when a giant shadow appeared overhead while I was diving. Then everybody just sort of aborted their dive right there and then just to ascend enough to watch the gentle giant. I’m going to check out where is Oslob!!
Cherie
You should and try the diving options since you dive! I’m not sure what else is there to see in the seabed, but the whalesharks is a good enough highlight. I still miss watching them and feeling the awesomeness of it all!
RobRob@TravelLatte(.net)
That is so awesome! I think I might freak out a little if one brushed up against me, too. But you got some great photos. We’re hoping to catch the Whale Sharks at Holbox in Mexico – still in the planning stages, but your pictures have me so excited to go! (Catching up on our #TravelTuesday!)
Cherie
Cool! Wish you luck. Whale sharks are so amazing!