Swimming with whale sharks in Donsol

Interact with whale sharks in a natural and environmentally respectful way. Enjoy the islands, beaches, waterfalls, and lagoons of Ticao. Float along an enchanted river lined with trees and fireflies. Highlights and activities: Swimming and snorkeling with wild whale sharks. Discover the beaches, lagoons, coral reefs, and waterfalls of Ticao. Spend an evening on the enchanting Firefly River of Donsol. See the perfectly conical Mayon volcano. Donsol hosts the largest concentration of whale sharks in the world. Every year, these gentle giants come to feed on plankton in the waters of this sleepy fishing town and stay longer than anywhere else on the planet, typically from November to June. Whale sharks feed on plankton at the water's surface and, if not disturbed, go about their business peacefully, paying little attention to the tiny humans swimming beside them. With truly wild animals, ranging from the size of a camper van for the young to adults larger than a bus, Donsol is the best place in the world to have an authentic and natural experience with whale sharks. Other places, like Oslob in Cebu, have become popular in recent years because they guarantee the presence of whale sharks all year round. This is due to the adoption of the ecologically irresponsible and harmful practice of feeding whale sharks to attract and keep them in one area. Feeding whale sharks leads to a number of environmental problems. The animals get used to being fed by boats and are conditioned to approach all vessels. As a result, they are often injured by propellers. Whale sharks become dependent on humans for food. Instead of migrating naturally in search of plankton, they stay in one place and rely on people to survive. The water in the feeding area is polluted by excess uneaten food. Whale sharks also get skin parasites due to contaminated water and uncontrolled direct contact with humans. Not only is the practice of feeding whale sharks harmful to the animals and the environment, but seeing these semi-domesticated animals being fed is also much less satisfying compared to the experience of swimming with wild sharks. Whale sharks that are fed stop next to a boat, position themselves vertically with their tails down and mouths at the surface (which they never do naturally), and wait for people to grab the krill (small shrimp) in their throats while hordes of tourists harass them from all sides. Wild whale sharks, on the other hand, feed while swimming, filtering plankton-rich water with their huge mouths. They are usually accompanied by a band of fish, and the sight of this moving giant and its entourage is truly astonishing. In Donsol, we have set a limit on the number of people who can swim with a particular shark so that the animal can go about its activities without feeling like a celebrity desperately trying to escape the paparazzi. People are not allowed to touch the sharks and must keep a distance of two meters from them. These rules keep the sharks calm, healthy, and happy while providing a richer experience for those observing them. On this adventure, we not only offer you the best whale shark experience, but we also show you the other natural wonders of the Donsol region. You will spend a day visiting the different islands of Ticao, with their spectacular rock formations, beaches, and lagoons. We also spend a surreal evening floating along a river lined with trees inhabited by fireflies. And throughout your adventure, the impressive Mayon volcano will serve as a backdrop. We offer this trip from January to May, which is the peak period for whale sharks. Note that, since the animals are wild and we have no contract with them, sightings are not guaranteed.