kat5252

Whale Sharks in Oslob has been most people's destination since last year which I envied so much. I don't know why I wasn't able to arrange a trip to go there with friends when Oslob is just 3 hours away from the City!

Some reasons that held me back from making that trip were negative feedback I found from different blogs and websites like:
- Going there requires a lot of fees here and there
- So crowded; there's a chance you won't be accommodated
- The Whale Sharks are pitiful and has a lot of cuts due to boat bumping and etc...

But 2 weeks ago I really felt like I need to experience this one before I lost the opportunity so I invited my cousins and friends. Since I don't know a thing about the processes for the whale shark experience, I tried to search for available packages online and I found out about this one -- Watch/Snorkel w/ whale sharks, Sumilon Island Tour, and Trek to Tumalog Falls.

Unfortunately some of my companions found the package pricey so we opt for just snorkeling and a visit to the Falls. I'm so glad I found an Istoryan coordinator who assisted us with everything. We just paid and they processed everything for us (registration, boat, guide, etc..).

Here are my observations:
1)The place is already very organize and the waters are so clean and clear; there's a briefing area for those who want to watch/snorkel where they'll tell the "what is and what isn't allowed"
2) You wait for your turn/boat (you won't be waiting that long since there are a lot of boats available)
3) I didn't see cuts or the Whale Shark bumping a boat (they just follow the small boat feeding them) and guests are to maintain 14m distance
4) There are Whale Shark guards! lol - They swim near a guests's boats which I didn't notice at first and will stir you away from the Whale Shark should you unconsciously float near them (I've experienced this 1st hand )

So here are some of the pictures from our Whale Shark encounter:


My cousin with a medium size "butanding" in the background


A baby "butanding" passed below our boat; we thought it was just a large rock at first but it was slowly moving