Is diving or snorkeling with whale sharks on your diving bucket list? Then, you’ll want to know when and where to find these gentle giants. Fortunately, the worldwide whale shark snorkeling and diving season runs across all 12 months, meaning there’s always a destination where it’s a possibility. To help you plan your dream underwater encounter, we’ve put together this list of the best places to find, snorkel and dive with whale sharks during each month of the year.
No matter how many times you do or have done it, encountering whale sharks is a memorable experience. As the ocean’s largest fish, with some of the biggest whale sharks measuring more than 18 meters (60 feet) long, these pelagic filter-feeders easily dwarf any nearby human observers. It’s important to be aware of the best practices for diving with whale sharks to make the most of your time together.
Check out our top picks for the best place to see whale sharks. We’ve included whale shark locations from across the globe.
January
January offers plenty of opportunities to swim alongside whale sharks in destinations around the globe. The nutrient-filled waters of Baja California, Mexico are enjoying their peak whale shark season, while Tofo Beach in Mozambique is beginning to quiet down. January also marks the start of the Panama whale shark season.
It’s worth noting that Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia is a reliable year-round destination for whale shark diving and snorkeling.
- La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Donsol Bay, Philippines
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- Sodwana Bay, South Africa
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
- Great Bahama Bank, Bahamas
- Turks & Caicos
- Coiba National Park, Panama
February
Wondering where to see whale sharks in February? Then wonder no more. The second month of the year is a great time to make whale shark snorkeling happen, as many of top destinations are hitting the midpoint of their respective whale shark seasons.
- La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Donsol Bay, Philippines
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
- Sodwana Bay, South Africa
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
- Great Bahama Bank, Bahamas
- Turks & Caicos
- Coiba National Park, Panama
March
March welcomes the start of the whale shark snorkeling and diving season in Gladden Spit, Belize. This annual congregation occurs just off the Caribbean coast and is accessible via a short boat ride. March is also when the whale shark season in Ningaloo Reef and Koh Tao begins.
- La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Gladden Spit, Belize
- Donsol Bay, Philippines
- Ningaloo Reef, Australia
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Koh Tao, Thailand
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- Sodwana Bay, South Africa
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
- Great Bahama Bank, Bahamas
- Coiba National Park, Panama
April
As the whale sharks in Gladden Spit begin to reach their peak, the season in Coiba National Park in Panama is coming to an end. During April, Donsol Bay, South Ari Atoll, Cenderawasih Bay and the Baja Peninsula remain reliable for spotting your favorite filter-feeding fish.
- La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Gladden Spit, Belize
- Donsol Bay, Philippines
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Koh Tao, Thailand
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
- Sodwana Bay, South Africa
- Coiba National Park, Panama
May
This is your last chance of the year to snorkel with whale sharks in Donsol Bay. May is also the month when La Paz in Mexico and Koh Tao, Thailand begin to wind down.
- La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Gladden Spit, Belize
- Donsol Bay, Philippines
- Ningaloo Reef, Australia
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Koh Tao, Thailand
- Red Sea, Egypt
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
June
While May closed the season on Mexico’s Pacific coast, June opens a different one on Mexico’s Caribbean side. Isla Holbox, Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Cancun and Cozumel all offer access to one of the best answers to the question of where to swim with whale sharks. June also marks the beginning of the Galapagos Islands’ whale shark season and the tail end of the season in Gladden Spit.
- Isla Holbox, Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico
- Gladden Spit, Belize
- Turks & Caicos
- Ningaloo Reef, Australia
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Guanacaste and Cocos Island, Costa Rica
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- Red Sea, Egypt
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
July
In July, swimming with whale sharks in Holbox and Isla Mujeres in Mexico is hitting peak season.
- Isla Holbox, Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Guanacaste and Cocos Island, Costa Rica
- Turks & Caicos
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- Red Sea, Egypt
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
August
August marks the start of the peak whale shark season in the Galapagos.
- Isla Holbox, Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Guanacaste and Cocos Island, Costa Rica
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- The Seychelles
- Red Sea, Egypt
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
September
Like August, September is one of the best times of the year to encounter whale sharks in the Galapagos Islands.
- Isla Holbox, Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Guanacaste and Cocos Island, Costa Rica
- Koh Tao, Thailand
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- The Seychelles
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
October
Are you asking yourself the question, “Where can I swim with whale sharks in October?” Well, there is no shortage of options for finding whale sharks in the tenth month of the year. While whale sharks are present throughout the year, October is actually one of the best times to encounter them around Mafia Island in Tanzania.
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Guanacaste and Cocos Island, Costa Rica
- Koh Tao, Thailand
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- The Seychelles
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
- Roatan, Honduras
November
During November, the whale sharks of the Baja Peninsula start to appear again. This is also the most reliable time to swim with whale sharks around Mafia Island in Tanzania.
- La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Guanacaste and Cocos Island, Costa Rica
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- The Seychelles
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- Sodwana Bay, South Africa
- Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
- Roatan, Honduras
December
In December, the question really becomes, “Where can you swim with whale sharks over the holidays?” After all, we can’t think of many better ways to bring in the new year than with your first whale shark experience. The whale sharks in La Paz on the Baja Peninsula make this an achievable goal. Mafia Island in Tanzania is also a reliable destination during the last month of the year.
- La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Donsol Bay, Philippines
- South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- Sodwana Bay, South Africa
- Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
- Great Bahama Bank, Bahamas
- Roatan, Honduras
FAQs
Want to know more about swimming and diving with whale sharks? Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Are whale sharks dangerous?
In short, no. Whale sharks are not dangerous to humans. In fact, they are gentle filter feeders that mainly consume plankton. However, it is important to respect their space and follow safe-encounter guidelines from educated dive guides.
Do I need a specific certification to dive with whale sharks?
While no specific training is required to swim or snorkel with whale sharks, scuba diving requires a scuba diving certification. Ensure you are comfortable in the water and follow the instructions of your guide. If you’re not yet scuba diving certified, take your first step to becoming a PADI Open Water Diver here.
How can I be sure I book an eco-friendly encounter?
Our top recommendation would be to choose eco-friendly and reputable dive operators that follow guidelines for responsible wildlife interactions. To do so, book your trip with a PADI Eco Center. You can find PADI Eco Centers on the PADI Dive Shop Locator by applying the Eco Center filter here. While diving with these magnificent beings, remember to maintain a respectful distance and avoid touching the whale sharks.
How can I book a trip to dive with whale sharks?
There are two convenient ways to book diving and snorkeling trips to see whale sharks! First, you can book day diving or snorkeling excursions with PADI Adventures. Alternatively, head to PADI Travel to explore the globe for dive or snorkeling and accommodation packages. For more assistance and expert advice, chat with our Scuba Travel Experts via live chat, phone or email.
Have you decided where to dive with whale sharks? Then, it’s time to make your dreams a reality and book your vacation with PADI Travel. Alternatively, if you’ve already met a whale shark in the water, check out these other bucket list-worthy marine animals — in addition to where to find them!
