Our round-up of the best of the best:
Swimming alongside the world’s largest fish, in the open sea, is a wonder-inspiring, humbling experience you’ll never forget. These giant but harmless filter feeders, that can grow to over 12m, are so well-camouflaged they’re almost invisible in the inky blue – until they swim right next to you.
Placencia, Belize
This marine life-rich, protected Gladden Spit reserve off the coast of Belize sees whale sharks visit from March to June, attracted by mass fish spawning events. April and May are the most reliable months.
Full-day diving and snorkelling tours go from the southeastern coastal town of Placencia.
Best for ages: 14+ | £150 | 1 day
Cebu, Central Visayas, Philippines
The Philippines has the world’s second-highest population of whale sharks (behind Mexico) and they duly arrive in Donsol Bay in numbers between November and June.
It’s consequently become a popular tourist destination, but not as much as over-crowded Oslob, the other Philippines hotspot – where fishermen are permitted to feed the sharks.
Best for ages: 6+ | £100 | Full day
Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
This small, little-visited East African country attracts a large and highly dependable population of whale sharks from November to February, when large, seasonal plankton blooms appear in the Gulf of Tadjoura.
Access is good – they’re often spotted close to shore or a short boat ride away – and visibility is excellent.
Best for ages: 6+ | £85 | 2 hours
Wolf & Darwin Islands, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Wolf and Darwin, the northernmost islands in the Galapagos, are recognised as world-class scuba diving sites.
But from June to November, the weather and water temperatures cool, giving rise to large upwelling currents of nutrient-rich water. Vast plankton blooms result, attracting hordes of fish including enigmatic whale sharks. Divers only.
Best for ages: 18+ | £0 | 3+ days
Isla de Utila, Honduras
The whale shark capital of the Caribbean, this tiny island is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (world’s 2nd largest reef). Whale sharks are present all year round, though March to April and October to December are best, when concentrations are highest, especially around the island’s northern tip.
Mainly diving but sometimes snorkelling too.
Best for ages: 13+ | £50 | Half day
Mafia Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
From October to March, the west coast of Mafia Island attracts whale sharks in numbers by (it is believed) the krill-rich discharge of a nearby shrimp hatchery.
It offers one of the best opportunities to swim/snorkel with them. Close to shore, this world-beating experience is highly accessible and requires only basic swimming ability.
Best for ages: 8+ | £60 | 4 hours
Maafushi, Maldives
The warm tropical waters of this dreamy archipelago are one of the few places in the world that’s home to whale sharks all year round.
They tend to favour the western side of the Indian Ocean archipelago from May to December, when plankton blooms in Hanifaru Bay, then head to the east until April.
Best for ages: 6+ | £95 | Full day
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Mexico has the world’s biggest whale shark population, and this hotspot sees thousands congregate between May and September to feed on upswells of plankton from the Gulf of Mexico.
While snorkelling tours also leave from Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox are the closest departure points (with the shortest boat rides). No diving.
Best for ages: 13+ | £40 | 4-5 hours
Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia
This pristine, 300km reef on Australia’s west coast is a marine biodiversity hotspot, home to over 500 species of fish and 300 species of coral. Whale sharks appear between March and June, to coincide with annual coral spawning.
Full day snorkelling tours leave from Coral Bay and Exmouth. Dolphins, manta rays and humpback whales are also present.
Best for ages: 8+ | £228 | 1 day
La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Although not as prolific as the Mayan Riviera, the Sea of Cortez is a reliable place to snorkel with wild whale sharks.
October and November are the best months, when the water is warmer and visibility is better, but the sharks stick around until May. Half and full days tours go from La Paz.
Best for ages: 8+ | £70 | 3 hours
Mahe, Seychelles
This remote, 115-island archipelago – best known for honeymoons – also happens to be one of the rare places in the world where you can dive with whale sharks.
The islands lies on their migration route, and they obligingly swim by the coastline of Mahe from August to November – though in recent years, sightings have dwindled.
Best for ages: 18+ | £90 | 1 day
Cabo, Baja California, Mexico
This tiny volcanic archipelago of 2 islands – San Benedicto and Socorro – is a little-known marine paradise, 24-hours from Cabos in Baja California. Whale sharks visit from May to December, along with dolphins, manta rays and humpback whales.
It’s remote, pristine and magically wild but for advanced divers only on live-a-boards.
Best for ages: 18+ | £1,000 | 3+ days
Tofo, Inhambane Province, Mozambique
Under-appreciated Mozambique has at last shaken off its ‘war-torn’ tag and replaced it with ‘eco-tourism hotspot’. Unspoilt Tofo Beach is the place to go for the largest population of whale sharks in Africa, with dependable sightings between June and January.
Snorkel or dive, you’ll share the water with manta rays, turtles, dolphins, and, in season, humpback whales.
Best for ages: 8+ | £35 | 2 hours
Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
The large, sheltered Cenderawasih Bay – a diver’s paradise – is home to a year-round resident population of whale sharks with guaranteed sightings.
The greatest numbers arrive for the annual plankton blooms from October and April, but other remain to scavenge on fishing waste from fishing trawlers (which somewhat devalues this wondrous experience). Diving only.
Best for ages: 18+ | £70 | 1 day
