Whale sharks

Whale sharks circulate round You, biggest is 5 meters, says the boss, I would say taller. They are all around You and so close. Must be the easiest place to swim with the biggest fish. Just out of Tan-awan, first barangay in Oslob after Santander. Get out early so You slip the crowds. Quite a few kaano in water, plus all the bancas, butanding surrounded, but no panic, they want out, they navigate very smoothly, check around, and swim slowly, no rush. Many times the novice swimmers didnt even know how close to sharks they were, no problem. No rules here, but no need. Maybe later when folks plenty and more.

We ride through the night, started 3 am from Panagsama, arrived at site 4.30 am, relaxed to drive at night. 6 am we swim out to meet the whale sharks some 30 meters out. First one and then they all come, boss said they have 5 as resident. They see a banca and come directly up. Why? ´cause they feed them with small shrimps, they lift their head up and ask for food. Like babies. Cheating? Oh yes but they still wild animals. Respect.

If You dont feel for jumping in You can stay in banca and have a nice view anyway. Ali took some fantastic shots from banca and close-up of head, mouth. My shots underwater good ofcourse but I was amazed of her shots. They come right next to banca and You, stick mouth up over surface and ask for food. Ali afraid it might swallow the cam when she stick it underwater just front of mouth. As You know they swallow water and filter for food. Banca is small, butanding is big.

Our first close encounter with tiki-tiki, and we got overdose; so many and so close. We´ll be back. Ali says next time she want to jump in. Vids come soon on my channel. http://youtu.be/gaVH1F2DraY

Entrance 100 peso, banca 200, cottage 300. Couple of places to choose from. No food inside yet, bring Your own. For contact number, ask me.

Word of the day: butanding, tiki-tiki = whale shark