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Oslob Whale Shark Watching (Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu)
Best time to visit
Aim for the first tours at sunrise for calmer seas and fewer visitors; dry season November to May usually has more stable conditions.
Budget tips
Official registration and guide/boat fees typically total around PHP 500-1,000, with snorkel rental extra; bring your own mask and snorkel and share transport to lower costs.
Recommended for
Wildlife watchers, Underwater photographers, Adventure travelers, Families with older children
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Rýchle fakty: Local boat crews often bring visitors right up to slow-moving whale sharks, so snorkelers can watch the animals glide just a few meters beneath the surface. Mature individuals often reach about 8 to 10 meters and carry a unique pattern of white spots that lets photographers match the same animal across visits.
Zaujímavosti: Morning sunlight slices through glassy water, revealing pale, spotted backs and gentle mouths opening and closing only three to five meters from floating observers. A local practice of offering small anchovies, kept in buckets on boats for over 10 years, concentrates the animals near shore and creates an unforgettable, almost cinematic scene of slow giants feeding beneath the splash of paddles.
Insider tips
- Arrive before 6:00 AM to beat the main crowds and secure a good spot on the pangga.
- Wear swimwear under quick-dry clothes, bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat for the short walk to the boats.
- Bring your own snorkel and mask to save on rental fees and use a waterproof case or action camera for close-up shots.
- Follow guides' instructions, keep a respectful distance from the whales, and avoid flash photography for better pictures.
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