Swimming with whale sharks
There is much controversy about the tourist attraction in Oslob and I wasn't sure how I felt about it and to be honest I still don't. Basically you arrive in the whale shark area which is 9km outside of Oslob, there is nothing else going on around there and they are all offering whale shark tours for 1000P (185 SEK/€18.50) for half an hour snorkel. They do offer diving as well but it's an absolute ripp off and no need for it as the whale sharks all come to the surface anyways. The area is all government run so at least the money goes back in to the country.
The reason why it is so controversial is because they feed them plankton, which is what they eat in the wild as well, and some people argue that they are pretty much kept in captivity. However they are free to go as they wish but then again would you leave a place that was giving you free food? So of course this is distrupting thr animals normal migration pattern but they are not in captivity in the literally sense.
They also have marine biologists in the water at all times that ensures that everyone follows the rules for both the animals and humans safety. You are not allowed to touch them and you need to keep a 4m distance though it is easier said then done as the feeders through the plankton right in front of you.
They are truly amazing animals but in all honesty I freaked a little when I jumped in the water, put my head down only to be face to face with a whale shark swimming towards me.They are harmless though and really don't care about you, just the food.
Our first 20 minutes were amazing as it was just two of us with 2-3 whale sharks around us. But then more people entered and the 4 tourists per whale shark went out the window but luckily it was then time for us to head back to our boat.
We arrived just before 9am to the area and were done by 10. The entire experience was over and done with and there was not much to stay around for so I booked a boat to Bohol. I paid 1000P (185 SEK/€18.50) for a 2 hour boat trip which actually took 3.5 hours. But I met some nice people and got to experience one of the weirdest toilets in my life. A rooftop less boob-high booth that you crouched down in.
The reason why it is so controversial is because they feed them plankton, which is what they eat in the wild as well, and some people argue that they are pretty much kept in captivity. However they are free to go as they wish but then again would you leave a place that was giving you free food? So of course this is distrupting thr animals normal migration pattern but they are not in captivity in the literally sense.
They also have marine biologists in the water at all times that ensures that everyone follows the rules for both the animals and humans safety. You are not allowed to touch them and you need to keep a 4m distance though it is easier said then done as the feeders through the plankton right in front of you.
They are truly amazing animals but in all honesty I freaked a little when I jumped in the water, put my head down only to be face to face with a whale shark swimming towards me.They are harmless though and really don't care about you, just the food.
Our first 20 minutes were amazing as it was just two of us with 2-3 whale sharks around us. But then more people entered and the 4 tourists per whale shark went out the window but luckily it was then time for us to head back to our boat.
We arrived just before 9am to the area and were done by 10. The entire experience was over and done with and there was not much to stay around for so I booked a boat to Bohol. I paid 1000P (185 SEK/€18.50) for a 2 hour boat trip which actually took 3.5 hours. But I met some nice people and got to experience one of the weirdest toilets in my life. A rooftop less boob-high booth that you crouched down in.
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