Oslob Whale Shark Watching — Local services in Oslob

Oslob Whale Shark Encounter: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure

My recent trip to Oslob, Cebu, marked my first-ever whale shark encounter, and it was nothing short of breathtaking. Swimming alongside these gentle giants was an experience that surpassed all expectations and solidified its place as a once-in-a-lifetime memory.

From the moment we arrived, the sheer scale of these magnificent creatures was awe-inspiring. Their graceful movements, the effortless way they glided through the water, completely captivated me. The water itself was surprisingly clear, allowing for unobstructed views of these majestic animals. I was initially nervous, apprehensive about getting too close to such large creatures, but those fears quickly dissipated. The whale sharks exhibited a remarkable calmness, seemingly unperturbed by our presence.

What truly made the experience unforgettable was the opportunity to swim alongside them. The feeling of being in such close proximity to these gentle giants, observing their serene demeanor, was incredibly humbling. Their size is truly something that needs to be witnessed firsthand to be fully appreciated. They are so much larger than any image or video could ever convey. The experience felt surreal, like something out of a dream.

The organization of the tour was also commendable. The guides were knowledgeable, ensuring our safety and providing valuable information about the whale sharks and their behavior. They clearly emphasized responsible interaction, ensuring we maintained a respectful distance and avoided any actions that could disturb the animals. This commitment to conservation was reassuring and added to the overall positive experience.

However, it's important to acknowledge the ongoing debate surrounding the Oslob whale shark feeding program. While the encounter itself was extraordinary, the ethical implications of attracting these animals with food are a subject that deserves careful consideration. It's a complex issue with various viewpoints, and it's crucial for travelers to be informed and make their own decisions based on their personal values.

Despite this ethical consideration, my personal experience was overwhelmingly positive. The sheer wonder of swimming with these magnificent creatures overshadowed any concerns. It was a truly unique and unforgettable adventure, a memory I will cherish forever. If you're seeking an extraordinary and awe-inspiring experience, I wholeheartedly recommend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Just be sure to do your research and approach the experience with a mindful and...

📍Whale Shark Encounter in Oslob, Cebu ~Late upload! Took the family on a road trip to Oslob for the famous Whale Shark experience—something I’ve heard a lot about and have always wanted to try again with my loved ones. I had a similar experience back in 2013 in Sorsogon (called “Butanding” there), but after 4 hours on the boat, we didn’t see a single whale shark. Nature happens! So this time, I was really hoping to finally see one up close.

We left our hotel in Mactan at 2 AM and drove for about 3-4 hours to Oslob. Our guide advised we leave early to avoid the long queue, especially since we had canyoneering planned right after. By 6 AM, we arrived—and wow, the place was already packed! We got our tickets, had breakfast while waiting, and after a couple more hours, our number was called.

We attended a quick (and super loud) orientation, put on life vests (some of which were quite dirty and stained), and waited for our boat. Around 8 AM, we finally hit the water—and not even a minute later, there it was. A whale shark, calmly feeding on plankton while surrounded by nearly 30 boats full of tourists.

The kids were excited, and we all took turns snapping shots with the GoPro we rented for PHP 500. The water had a strong current, but they had a blast, and our guide helped take photos and videos.

But honestly, I had mixed feelings. Seeing the whale shark up close was magical, but something felt off. It didn’t feel like we were witnessing them in their natural environment—it felt more like we were watching a show. The constant feeding, the crowd of boats, the rush to take photos... it all felt too much, like the whale shark was being put on display for us, rather than us being respectful guests in its world.

I believe animals this majestic deserve better—to swim freely in the wild, not stay in one spot day after day for tourists. I get why people want to see them (I did too), but I left with a heavy heart, feeling like the experience was more about the photo op than the creature itself.

We were in the water for maybe 25-30 minutes, then off to rinse, hop in the van, and drive another 2 hours to start our canyoneering adventure.

As for my family—they enjoyed it, and I’m happy they did. But for me, I’d give this experience 2 out of 5 stars. Beautiful animal, but the setup felt more like a tourist trap than a natural encounter. If you ever plan to see whale sharks, I’d personally recommend choosing destinations that follow more ethical, non-intrusive practices, where you meet these gentle giants in the wild—on their...

Booked this tour last minute because I’ve heard a few good things about it and it was worthwhile. Pick up was on time at 4 AM in the morning. Driver was super punctual. It was quite the ride from my hotel in Cebu to Oslob but the driver was very knowledgeable and I felt safe and comfortable enough to sleep during the ride. Upon arrival at the restaurant in Oslob I was welcomed by my wonderful tour guide Janine. She made sure I got my light breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, toast, tea and water. The eggs were OK but toast too dry. Right after the light breakfast we went to the Whale-shark swimming post. The administrative part is quite arduous as the place is crowded - Janine made sure to take care of all though and found me a waiting spot in the shade. As the waiting time before I could board a boat seemed too long, Janine first took me to the waterfalls. It was super amazing. She was very patient held on to my belongings and helped me taking pictures. Afterwards we went swimming with the whale-sharks which is a one in a lifetime experience. To be quite honest there was a bit disappointing because the boat men seemed a bit disorganized. Snorkeling was included in my package but they only had the googles available. Pretty near to the beach everyone was let into the water to swim with the whale-shark. Quite an exciting experience but considering the amount of people in the water it was a bit hectic. After that I got my lunch which was super delicious. I had rice, stewed chicken with vegetables and an egg drop soup I believe? All tasted very good and were super filling.

My tour included another 90 Minute drive to Moalboal where I did a island hopping giving me the opportunity to see some dolphins from afar, swim with a turtle and snorkel with sardines. This tour was way more comfortable because it felt like a private tour again. The administrative part in Moalboal was a breeze. I went to the three sport with two boatmen who had all their attention on me and helped with putting on snorkeling gear and filming underwater. All in all a very successful tour and exciting tour. The price is a little high for the hecticness of the first activity but still a must do when in cebu. The long drive afterwards was also OK. As a solo traveling black women I felt safe with the driver but also on the boats as life west’s were always available. Janine made the first part of the tour very comfortable and the two boatmen afterwards made the island hopping a true adventure as well. I’d definitely recommend booking with...