It finally came true! I got to swim with the Whale Sharks and it all happened very fast, nevertheless the feeling was overwhelming! From my TV screen to reality, here’s my Whale Shark or Butanding watching adventure in Oslob, Cebu, Philippines!
On my third day in Oslob, I decided to wake up at 5:30 in the morning, did a quick prep up before my service arrive at six. Kuya Rey was a big help touring me around Oslob, and his service for a day riding the habal-habal is just right for my budget. Check out my full itinerary and expenses on a separate blog post (Oslob Cebu Itinerary) and you can contact Kuya Rey here (0922-429-9244)
The Whale Shark viewing station is 30 minutes away from my place – Isyian Beach Resort. If your travelling all the way from Cebu City to Oslob, the station is hard to be miss for a lot of people usually go down at the area plus it’s the most popular place in Oslob and there is only one road going down south. So you don’t need to worry getting lost.
Upon arriving at the place, we headed straight to the registration area. Kuya Rey was too nice to assist me getting the things I needed. He asked me to pay Php 300 if I just wanted to view the whales or pay Php 500 if I wanted to swim with them. Off course I choose the latter. Paying Php 500, includes goggles and life vest. Foreign Tourists pays a little extra, Php 1000 for a chance to do snorkeling with the whales with goggles and life vest. But before heading to the open sea, we first listened to a short seminar about Whale Shark Viewing Rules and Regulations. Here’s a summary of everything.
Butanding or Whale Shark Watching
- Watching (1 ticket is good for 30 mins)
- Php 300.00 – Local guest (inclusive boat ride)
- Php 500.00 – Foreign guest (inclusive boat ride)
- Snorkeling (1 ticket is good for 30 mins)
- Php 500.00 – Local guest (inclusive boat ride and snorkeling gears)
- Php 1, 000. 00 – Foreign guest (inclusive boat ride and snorkeling gears)
- Scuba Diving (1 ticket is good for 1 hour)
- Php 600.00 – Local guest (diving gears are not included)
- Php 1, 500. 00 – Foreign guest (diving gears are not included)
Child 3 years old and below are free of charge.
Rules and Regulations
- All whale shark watchers must undergo orientation at the Briefing Center on the rules for interaction with whale sharks
- No feeding of whale sharks by unauthorized personnel
- Do not touch, ride, or chase a whale shark
- Do not restrict normal movement or behavior of the shark
- Do not use flash photography
- Do not create splash when entering the water.
- Do not wear sunscreen if you are going to enter the water.
- Motor boats are prohibited in the area. Only paddle boats are allowed.
- Viewing is limited to 30 minutes
- Maintain a minimum distance of 5m from the head, 6m from the tail (this differs from the 2m from the head, and 5m from the tail stated in the ordinance)
Its now time for me to head to the sea, I was included in a group of 4 riding a small boat. Going to the area where the whale sharks are fed took us only 10 minutes. All the boats are lined up forming a curve while 2-3 boat feeders lure Whale Sharks to go around near the other boats. I think the butanding or whale sharks are already considered as pets by the locals, and there is nothing to be afraid of, remember they are the gentle giants, right?! I brave myself to dive in without having the life vest on. I just told “kuya paddler” to look after me while swimming. It was my first open sea (without life vest) swimming, I was so afraid to do it for I know that I don’t really swim well, but I prepared myself to this so be it. Well, I’m writing this article, so it means, I did survive lol!
It was majestic underneath, another world to discover. The goggles did a great help in making me see the view clearly, but for the sake of photoshoot I took it off once in a while. I was struggling doing the photoshoot, while trying to survive swimming and staying not far enough from the boat.
Add to my problem was when my SJCAM got zero space, making me delete files in between while soaked in the ocean. The butanding or whale shark session was a bit “bitin” making me consider to go back again soon. Maybe next time I could already do a free dive and swim with them already. I’m crossing my fingers to that.
Take note: If you got allergies with shrimp better drink your meds first before getting on the water. Shrimp paste (bagoong) is used to fed the butanding, there’s a big chance it will stick to your body or you’ll be able to taste it in the water.
SIDE TRIP:
8:30 am and I was done already with the whale shark viewing, so what we did was do a sidetrip and head straight to Tumalog Falls. Read on.
