Snorkeling gets way more thrilling here—come face-to-face with the gentle giants of Oslob’s whale sharks!
▲Swimming with the “largest fish in the world”—are you up for the challenge? (Photo by reporter Xu Wenbin)
Reported by Chen Ziying / from the Philippines
Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, may seem terrifying because of their “shark” label—but don’t doubt it, their gentle side is something you can only truly appreciate up close. The small village of Oslob at the southeastern tip of Cebu, Philippines, is known as the “Whale Shark Village.” It’s hard to imagine that such a tranquil coastal community is home to hundreds of whale sharks gathering nearby, and visitors can even swim alongside them in the open sea.
▲Oslob is a small fishing village at the southeastern edge of Cebu. (Photo by reporter Xu Wenbin)
“Not all sharks are man-eaters—whale sharks are actually very gentle, and you can get quite close to them,” say locals in Oslob. According to staff on-site, there are currently about 100 whale sharks frequently spotted in Oslob, including various sizes and family groups, making it a true “paradise for whale sharks.” Once an obscure little village, Oslob has become a must-visit tourist destination thanks to these gentle giants, attracting travelers from around the world who want to swim with them.
%The best time to see them swimming up close%.
Oslob has long-term representatives from the World Animal Conservation Association who teach villagers how to allow visitors to observe and swim with the sharks without harming them, turning the area into a whale shark conservation zone. Staff carefully instruct tourists on the “whale shark code of conduct,” such as no sharp objects, no touching, no chasing their tails, no underwater flash photography, and avoiding sunscreen when possible. Under the principle of “respect,” the presence of the local whale sharks and the visits by travelers become a beautiful encounter.
According to staff, the coastal area of Oslob is a fault zone that allows these massive whale sharks to appear near shore. The longest whale shark spotted here was about 18 meters, while some are smaller than 1 meter. Sometimes, you might even see an entire “whale shark family” swimming together.
▲Oslob is a small fishing village at the southeastern edge of Cebu. (Photo by reporter Xu Wenbin)
▲%The size differences among them are huge, yet they all love coming close to people.% (Photo by reporter Xu Wenbin)
Riding on the Philippines’ iconic “bangka” (outrigger boat), you approach the small boats where whale sharks are being fed. The gray bodies with white spots of the whale sharks soon come into view—it’s almost unbelievable that “the largest fish in the world” is right in front of you. Brave enough? Just put on your goggles and jump in to swim with them. Up close, they sometimes swim toward you, sometimes flick their tails—it’s truly an exhilarating experience. But seeing these giant creatures happily munching on food with their huge mouths wide open makes you forget any fear.
▲The longest whale sharks can be around 18 meters. (Photo by reporter Xu Wenbin)
▲A whale shark opens its huge mouth contentedly while enjoying its meal. (Photo by reporter Xu Wenbin)
▲If you’re lucky, you might see an entire whale shark family together. (Photo by reporter Xu Wenbin)
The whale shark encounter in Oslob lasts about half an hour, but the sharks only come close to shore around 10 a.m. each day for feeding. So if you want to experience this unforgettable activity, make sure to plan your timing well—miss it and you’ll have to try again tomorrow!
Learn more about Cebu’s whale shark tours
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