Philippine Dolphins &
Whale Watching
Whales Islands Philippines
Donsol Whale Shark - Donsol Whale Watching
Donsol is a small town found at the southern tip of Luzon Island, Philippines, knows what a big adventure is all about. Have you ever imagined swimming beside a fish that is 18 meters long and 40 tons heavy? Now, imagine swimming with a school of fishes that big! That is what Donsol has to offer.
The Whale Shark, the biggest fish in the world, finds refuge in the waters of Donsol from December to May. With simple snorkeling equipment, you will be awestricken by the grandeur of these animals. If you doubt your swimming skills, do not fret. Just slip on a life vest! The Whale Sharks swim from surface to mid-water and with their size, they are hard to miss. The Whale Sharks are friendly to human beings and they will love your admiration. Just remember not to scare them away by touching or harassing them. Give them the respect they deserve, and they will make sure that your visit will be one that is worth a lifetime.
The Whale Shark, Rhincodon Typus, is included in the list of endangered species. There are only about 1000 identified Whale Sharks worldwide. Despite the fact that studies trace the history of the Whale Shark to be 245-265 million years back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, the enormity of these fish, and the fact that they swim at the ocean surface, the first known Whale Shark to man was discovered in 1828.
As the study of the Whale Shark developed, it is said that the largest annual congregation of the Whale Sharks is in Donsol, Philippines from December to May. These so-called gentle giants are migratory animals, found in warm tropical waters as they follow their food supply. They migrate to Donsol in vast numbers to take advantage of the dense food concentration of plankton and krill which is brought about by the current patterns, water temperature, and the general health of the sea.
With the discovery of the immense number of Whale Shark in Donsol and the promotion of eco-tourism in the area, efforts for the preservation of the Whale Shark has been heightened. Scientists and conservationists have also migrated to Donsol to further study these animals. By using tracking devices and photo identification, it is hoped that the mystery of these great gentle giants will be soon discovered.
In Donsol waters, typical sightings of whale sharks are between 4-12 meters in length with distinctive characteristics that include a broad, flat head, 3 prominent ridges on the upper flank, a checkerboard pattern of white spots and stripes on its blue-gray-brown-skin.
Their huge mouth (up to 2m across) is lined with thousands of tiny teeth, which is neither used for chewing nor biting. Large volumes of water are sucked into the mouth where the food is retained in the gill rakers Water is eventually released through their gill slits.
When to go to Donsol: Activities like SCUBA diving with manta rays, firefly watching, kayaking, tours, etc. are good all year, but whale shark interaction is best December through May (though there are usually sightings November through June).
Travel Quotes:
The attention of a traveller, should be particularly turned, in the first place, to the various works of Nature, to mark the distinctions of the climates he may explore, and to offer such useful observations on the different productions as may occur. William Bartram
Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water. W. C. Fields
Merienda Philippines Cuisine
Merienda is taken from the Spanish, and is a light meal or snack especially in the afternoon, similar to the concept of afternoon tea. If the meal is taken close to dinner, it is called merienda cena, and may be served instead of dinner.
More details at Merienda Philippines Cuisine
