Travel bucket list ideas:
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There’s nothing quite like the thrill of sharing the ocean with the planet’s largest fish — the gentle, graceful whale shark. These majestic creatures, often stretching over 12 metres long, glide through the water with a serenity that’s utterly captivating. For intrepid travellers and marine life lovers, swimming alongside a whale shark is a true once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
But where are the best places to swim with whale sharks? From Mexico’s turquoise Caribbean coast to the remote reefs of Western Australia, we’ve curated the top global destinations to snorkel or dive with these spotted giants — all wild, all unforgettable.
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a curious snorkeller, these bucket-list spots promise breathtaking underwater moments with the ocean’s most iconic gentle giant.
Placencia, Belize
Bucket List Experience
Gladden Spit, a marine life-rich, protected 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 south-eastern coastal town of Placencia.
Adult price: £150
Min age 14
Good for age: 14+
Duration: 1 day
Cebu, Central Visayas, Philippines
Bucket List Experience
The Philippines has the world’s second highest population of whale sharks (behind Mexico) and they duly arrive in Cebu’s 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.
Adult price: £100
Good for age: 10+
Duration: Full day
Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
Bucket List Experience
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.
Adult price: £85
Min age 12
Good for age: 13+
Duration: 2 hours
Wolf & Darwin Islands, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Bucket List Experience
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.
Adult price: £-
Min age 18
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 3+ days
Isla de Utila, Honduras
Bucket List Experience
The whale shark capital of the Caribbean, the tiny Honduran island of Isla de Utila is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (world’s 2nd largest reef). Whale sharks are present all year round, though March to May and August to October are best, when concentrations are highest, especially around the island’s northern tip. Mainly diving but sometime snorkelling too.
Adult price: £50
Good for age: 13+
Duration: Half day
Mafia Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
From October to March, the west coast of Mafia Island offers one of the best opportunities to snorkel with the magnificent whale shark.
The biggest fish in the sea, growing up to 12m long with giant gaping maws, these harmless, plankton-feeders are attracted here in numbers by (it is believed) the krill-rich discharge of a nearby shrimp hatchery.
The sharks are massive, but completely harmless, and wild – they’re not fed or enticed towards swimmers. Whale sharks are fast swimmers; watch them pass by, then hop back on the boat to get in front of them again. For the shark’s wellbeing, though, don’t try to touch them or get too close.
Close to shore, and requiring only basic swimming ability, this world-beating experience is also highly accessible.
Adult price: £60
Good for age: 8+
Duration: 4 hours
Maafushi, Maldives
Bucket List Experience
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.
Adult price: £95
Good for age: 13+
Duration: Full day
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Between May and September, the world’s largest fish visits Riviera Maya waters to feed on the large upswells of plankton from the Gulf of Mexico. Snorkelling with them is an astonishing experience, and takes place in open sea. These giant filter feeders, which can reach over 12 metres are astonishingly well-camouflaged – almost invisible in the inky blue until they are almost next to you, then gently swaying past and back into the depths.
Numerous tour operators in Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer snorkelling and diving trips which usually include reef snorkels and lunch.
Adult price: £40
Good for age: 13+
Duration: 4-5 hours
Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia
The 260km-long Ningaloo Reef, off the western coast of Australia, is one of the world’s greatest reefs – many claim it rivals even the Great Barrier Reef. It’s also one of the world’s whale shark hotspots.
Whale sharks are gentle giants, feeding exclusively on microscopic plankton. It’s the perfect place to swim with them: the chances of an encounter are higher than possibly anywhere else, the reef is pristine, and it supports an extraordinary biodiversity of other marine life to ogle while you’re there. Also look out for turtles, dolphins, dugong (manatees), and rays.
Adult price: £228
Good for age: 8+
Duration: 1 day
La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Bucket List Experience
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.
Adult price: £70
Min age 8
Good for age: 8+
Duration: 3 hours
Mahe, Seychelles
Bucket List Experience
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 lie on their migration route, and they obligingly swim by the coastline of Mahe from August to November – though in recent years, sightings have dwindled.
Adult price: £90
Min age 18
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 1 day
Cabo, Baja California, Mexico
Bucket List Experience
This tiny volcanic archipelago of 2 islands – San Benedicto and Socorro – is a little-known marine paradise, 24 hours from Cabo 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.
Adult price: £1000
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 3+ days
Tofo, Inhambane Province, Mozambique
Bucket List Experience
Under-appreciated Mozambique has at last shaken off its ‘war-torn’ tag and replaced it with ‘ecotourism 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.
Adult price: £35
Min age 8
Good for age: 8+
Duration: 2 hours
Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
Bucket List Experience
A large, sheltered bay – a diver’s paradise – is home to a year-round resident population of whale sharks with guaranteed sightings. October-April. Diving only.
Adult price: £70
Min age 18
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 1 day
It’s hard to put into words. Floating beside a creature the size of a bus, watching it vanish into blue — it’s humbling, exhilarating, meditative all at once. No screen or photo can do it justice. You don’t just see a whale shark. You feel it — in your breath, your heartbeat, your memory long after you leave the water.
Whale sharks can grow to be as large as 40 feet (12 meters) in length, making them the largest known species of fish.
Whale sharks primarily feed on plankton, small fish, and squid.
Whale sharks inhabit tropical and warm-temperate seas worldwide, often found near the surface in areas with rich food sources.
Whale sharks are capable of swimming at speeds of around 3 to 5 miles per hour (5 to 8 kilometres per hour).
Despite their name, whale sharks are not whales. They are a species of shark, belonging to the order Orectolobiformes.
Despite their size, whale sharks are the ocean’s gentle giants. You’ll float just metres away, heart thudding, only to be struck by their calm indifference. They feed on plankton, not people, and show no aggression – just slow, steady grace. That said, it’s vital to keep your distance, avoid sudden movements, and respect their space. A good tour guide will brief you well and ensure the encounter is as safe for the sharks as it is for you.
Not at all. Most encounters are done with a snorkel and fins – no tanks, no diving certification. If you can swim confidently in open water, you can join. In places like the Galapagos, some tours may involve scuba, but for most destinations, snorkelling is all you need.
Pack light but smart. A reef-safe sunscreen is a must – the oceans don’t need more chemicals. Bring a rash vest, good snorkelling gear if not provided, and a waterproof camera (trust me, you’ll want the photos). Take dry bag, a towel, and plenty of water. Most of all, bring patience and presence – these are wild creatures, and the best moments can’t be rushed.
Yes, though age and confidence in the water are key. Children as young as seven can have extraordinary experiences – their excitement is infectious. Many operators have minimum age policies (usually 6–8 years), and some require a swim test. If you’re travelling as a family, check in advance and choose a calm, guided snorkel tour suited to younger adventurers.
No – and that’s part of the magic. These are wild animals, not zoo exhibits. Even in peak season, there’s always a chance they won’t show. Some trips you’ll see nothing but plankton – and others you’ll swim with five in a single hour. Responsible tours won’t promise sightings but will increase your odds by following local intel and recent movements.
The best operators are those who put the sharks first. They don’t bait, they don’t chase, and they limit group sizes. They brief you properly – no touching, no flash photography, no crowding. In Donsol, for instance, the local community enforces strict codes to protect their seasonal visitors. Do your research and support tours that prioritise conservation over convenience.
The best way is to choose responsible tours that follow strict conservation guidelines. Beyond that, support ocean-friendly practices – use reef-safe products, reduce plastic, and educate others. Donate to organisations that protect marine biodiversity. Every small action ripples outward – and helps ensure that future travellers can experience what we do today.
