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Whale Sharks
Andy December 16, 2024
Table of Contents
Learn about Whale Sharks
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in the ocean, growing up to 12 meters (40 feet) or more in length. Despite their massive size, these gentle giants are filter feeders, gliding through tropical and warm temperate seas while sieving plankton, small fish, and crustaceans through their gill rakers. Whale sharks are pelagic, meaning they inhabit open ocean waters but are often found near rich upwellings or feeding zones.
Fun fact: A whale shark’s mouth can stretch to over 1.5 meters wide, but they pose no danger to humans, feeding only on tiny marine organisms!
Where to Find Whale Sharks
Whale sharks can be found in tropical and warm-temperate oceans worldwide, often near nutrient-rich waters where plankton blooms occur. Divers are most likely to encounter them in:
- Open ocean feeding zones, especially during plankton blooms.
- Coastal areas during migration seasons, when whale sharks gather in large numbers to feed.
- Pinnacle dive sites or small islands with drop off are usually hotspots
- Study dive sites with currents Whaleshark are often found returning and staying to feed on plankton carried by a prevailing current
Famous Dive Sites for Whale Shark Encounters
Whale shark hotspots are scattered across the globe, attracting divers eager to witness their awe-inspiring size and calm demeanor:
Similan Islands, Thailand (Andaman Ocean)
- Best time: Jan to March
- Known for: Predictable whale shark sightings on sites with plankton-loaded currents, the whale shark feeds on plankton and the Manta Rays too!
Ningaloo Reef, Australia (Indian Ocean)
- Best time: March to July.
- Known for: Predictable whale shark sightings during coral spawning events, where the nutrient-rich waters attract these gentle giants in large numbers.
Isla Holbox, Mexico (Caribbean Sea)
- Best time: June to September.
- Known for: Close encounters with whale sharks in the calm Caribbean waters, offering divers opportunities to swim alongside them.
La Paz, Mexico (Pacific Ocean)
- Best time: October to April.
- Known for: Regular sightings of whale sharks in the nutrient-rich waters of the Sea of Cortez, especially around the bait balls and plankton blooms.
Donsol Bay, Philippines (Pacific Ocean)
- Best time: November to June.
- Known for: A renowned hotspot where whale sharks come to feed on plankton, often providing close-up encounters during their seasonal migrations.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (Pacific Ocean)
- Best time: June to November.
- Known for: Whale shark sightings around the islands, particularly near Darwin and Wolf Islands, with increased encounters during the upwelling season.
Insider Tip – Famous dive sites where Whale Sharks are found are often in high demand and busy, I bet you wished there was a quiet place with fewer divers to spend some time with these majestic fish. You’re in luck! Take a look into diving Palu Tenggol.
How to Identify Whale Sharks
What does a Whale Shark look like? Here’s a simple checklist to help you identify a Whale Shark:
Key Identification Markers
- Size: The world’s largest fish, typically ranging from 12 to 18 feet (4 to 5.5 meters), with some individuals reaching up to 40 feet (12 meters).
- Coloration: Grayish-blue body with a pale white belly and unique spots and stripes patterning on the back, which is unique to each individual, much like fingerprints.
- Shape: Large, flat head with a wide mouth at the front, often seen with gills on either side.
- Fins: Wide, triangular dorsal fin on top of the body, with two pectoral fins positioned near the head.
- Tail: Large, crescent-shaped tail (caudal fin), providing a distinct shape.
Common Misidentifications
- Basking Shark: Although both whale sharks and basking sharks are filter feeders, basking sharks have a more pointed snout and a much smaller mouth. They also lack the unique pattern of spots found on whale sharks.
- Manta Rays: Manta rays are often mistaken for whale sharks due to their size and similar color patterns, but mantas have wide, wing-like pectoral fins and no dorsal fin.
Characteristics & Behavior of Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are solitary yet calm, slow-moving creatures that spend much of their time cruising through open water in search of food. They often:
- Filter feed by swimming with their mouths open or by “gulping” water to strain plankton.
- Surface during plankton blooms, making them more visible to divers.
- Migrate thousands of kilometers annually between feeding and breeding grounds.
- Exhibit curiosity around divers, sometimes swimming close, but interactions should remain respectful and non-invasive.
Conservation Status
Whale sharks are listed as Endangered by the IUCN due to:
- Overfishing and bycatch in certain regions.
- Boat strikes in areas of heavy marine traffic.
- Habitat degradation and unregulated tourism.
Diver Tip: Maintain a minimum distance of 3 meters and avoid touching or obstructing a whale shark’s path. Use non-flash photography to minimize disturbance.
Whale Shark Rhincodon typus assessed by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
More About Whale Shark from IUCN
Photography Tips for Whale Sharks
Tips for Getting the Best Whale Shark Shots
Angles: Aim for low-angle shots to capture the immense size of the whale shark, ideally from slightly below and in front to highlight the spots and stripes on its back. If you’re swimming alongside, side shots can help illustrate the whale shark’s body and scale.
Lighting: Ensure natural light is used effectively, especially for shallow-water encounters. When deeper, use a strobe light to illuminate the subject, while minimizing backscatter.
Behavior to Watch for:
- Feeding: Whale sharks feed by filtering plankton and small fish through their gills. Capturing them with their mouths wide open, swimming gracefully through schools of plankton, can make for dramatic and captivating shots.
- Socializing: While whale sharks are solitary, occasionally you may see them interacting with other sharks or creatures at cleaning stations. These moments can offer dynamic, behavioral shots.
Eco-Friendly Interactions: Always ensure that you respect the animal’s space, do not chase or crowd the whale shark, and keep a safe distance (at least 3 meters/10 feet). Avoid touching or disturbing the animal and be mindful of the environment around you to avoid harm.
Recommended Camera Settings
Using Natural Light / White Balance
- Shutter Speed: 1/100 to 1/200 seconds to avoid motion blur and capture the grace of the whale shark’s movement.
- Aperture (f-stop): f/5.6 to f/8 (good depth of field to capture the full length of the whale shark, while still getting a sharp focus).
- ISO: 800–1600, depending on the depth of water and visibility. Use a higher ISO in deeper, murkier waters, but balance it to reduce noise.
- White Balance: Set to “Underwater” or manually adjust the white balance to ensure true-to-color results, particularly in deep water where natural light is limited.
Using Underwater Strobe Light
- Shutter Speed: 1/125 to 1/160 seconds (to freeze the whale shark’s movement, avoiding motion blur).
- Aperture (f-stop): f/8 to f/11 for greater depth of field, ensuring the whole whale shark is sharp.
- ISO: 400–800 (lower ISO to reduce noise and provide crisp images when using strobe light).
- Strobe Position: Position the strobe at a 45-degree angle from the subject to prevent backscatter, and aim to light the animal from the side or slightly from below to reveal texture and detail.
Bonus Tips for Photographing Whale Sharks
Most Photogenic Angle: The best angle to capture the whale shark’s true scale is often from below and slightly to the front, showing its massive head and mouth. This angle emphasizes the animal’s enormity and its unique pattern of spots, providing a sense of awe to the image.
- Rare Photo Opportunities:
- A close-up of the whale shark feeding on plankton with its mouth wide open is a rare, yet stunning shot.
- Capturing the whale shark in motion with a diver in the frame adds perspective and drama, showing the vast size of the creature in relation to the human figure.
Filter Suggestions for Videographers:
- Red or Magenta Filters: Use these filters to balance the blue-green hues of deep water, enhancing the natural colors of the whale shark.
- Light Sources: Consider using video lights when capturing footage of the whale shark in deeper waters, ensuring proper exposure and highlighting details without washing out the animal’s features.
Interesting Facts about Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning females give birth to live young after carrying eggs inside their bodies.
- They can live up to 70–100 years!
- Each whale shark has a unique spot pattern, similar to a human fingerprint.
- Despite their massive size, they can dive to depths of over 1,000 meters.
Dive Seasonality
The best time to encounter whale sharks depends on their seasonal migrations and local plankton blooms. Generally:
- Australia (Ningaloo Reef): March to July.
- Mexico (Isla Holbox): June to September.
- Maldives: November to April.
Always check local migration patterns for the best chance of sightings.
FAQs about Whale Sharks
Q: Are whale sharks dangerous to divers?
A: Not at all! Whale sharks are gentle giants and pose no threat to humans. They feed only on plankton and small fish.
Q: How big can whale sharks get?
A: Whale sharks can reach lengths of up to 12–18 meters (40–60 feet), making them the largest fish species in the world.
Q: Where is the best place to dive with whale sharks?
A: Top spots include Ningaloo Reef (Australia), Isla Holbox (Mexico), and the Maldives, depending on the season.
Q: Can I touch a whale shark?
A: No. Touching a whale shark can harm its protective skin layer and stress the animal. Always maintain a respectful distance.
