Donsol, Sorsogon: Whale Sharks’ Philippine Home

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 “Whale Sharks migrate to feed and possibly to breed”, according to Wikipedia and one of the places these gentle giants want to visit is the ‘whale shark-receptive’, Bicolano town of Donsol, Sorsogon, particularly during the months of November to June.

The History of Whale Sharks in Donsol

Whale Sharks actually have been in the town of Donsol for over a hundred years now. Local residents actually thought that these creatures were harmful until a diving expedition conducted on December 26, 1997 led by Romil Aglugub proved that these creatures were similar to the characters of the Disney Animated Film, Monsters’ Inc. They were big and scary yet so gentle and friendly. By March 1998, Donsol became world-class tourist destination and now known as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World”.

Whale Shark Watching, or should I say, ‘Chasing’

The great thing about Donsol is that it serves as a meeting place for people and Whale Sharks. It’s a place where two different species can interact with each other. It’s a place where us people can get more information about the Whale Sharks through a very effort-needed approach. Although it takes a lot of energy and skill to play cat-and-mouse with these large fish, this kind of system allows us to be fascinated by the beauty of these giants without disturbing them much. Interaction is actually regulated by the Department of Tourism. WWF guidelines are strictly observed. The guidelines are usually posted in the pumpboats, and offices all over the place.

The whole system of Whale Shark Watching in Donsol actually goes like this, a maximum of six (6) tourists are allowed in each pumpboat. Each pumpboat has a team composed of two (2) spotters (spotters look for Whale Sharks), a pilot (drives the boat) and a tour guide/diver (goes with the tourist). The divers (tourists and the tour guide) must have proper equipment (snorkel, masks, flippers, life vest). The tourists could actually choose not to wear a life vest at their own risk. As a life vest may slow you down when you’re following the shark. Once the spotter finds a shark, he directs the pilot to manoeuvre the boat to a place where the divers can swim near and maybe interact with the shark. Once the divers have lost track of the shark, they may hop on back to the boat. The whole process just loops through until the tourists decide to head back home or the team suggests that there are no more Whale Sharks near the coastal areas of Donsol. Taking pictures of the sharks are actually allowed just don’t forget not to use a flash as it may disturb them.

How to Get to Donsol

One of the easiest ways, if not the easiest way to get to Donsol is to ride an airplane to Legazpi and take a van from there to Donsol.

Once you get to Donsol, you can register at the registration office (just ask the locals where is this located) at a rate of 100PHP for Philippine locals and 300PHP for foreign people and a pumpboat for 3500PHP good for 6 persons. You could always share the fee for the pumpboat with other tourists going Whale Shark Watching.

There are early morning and afternoon tours (7am to 11am and 1-3pm - around these times). Registration is from 7am until 2pm.

Snorkel Equipment

There is a shop that lets you rent fins and snorkels. It’s near the registration office. 150PHP for a pair of fins and 150PHP for a snorkel and mask.

Accomodation

Book at Vitton Beach Hotel, it’s the nicest looking inn near the registration office for Whale Shark Watching.

Room rates (as of April 2012)

VITTON BEACH RESORT ROOMS A D RATES

Single Deluxe – includes 1 queen size bed. Good for 2. 2,200 Php

(20 Rooms Available)

Standard – includes 2 double size beds. Good for 4. 2,200 Php

(17 Rooms Available)

Double Deluxe – includes 2 double size beds. Good for 4 . 3,200 Php

(10 Rooms Available)

Family – includes 2 queen size beds, living room and kitchenette. Good for 4. 3,700 Php

Website: http://whalesharksphilippines.com/?page_id=28

Food

Food from Vitton Beach Hotel was pretty lacklustre for its price but good news is that there is a carenderia situated at the town of Donsol, near the municipal hall and park. Just ask the very welcoming locals where ‘Red’s Carenderia’ is located and they will actually take you there. Red’s Carenderia offers the best Bicol Express I ever tasted.

Wrap-Up

Photo by Jacob Maentz

Donsol, Sorsogon is surely the best place to go Whale Shark Watching in the Philippines and one of the best in the world. The morning tour during the months of November to January is usually recommended as many ‘Butandings’ are present at that time. And if you are anyway hungry, just remember to hop by at Red’s. Multiple tours are usually the bomb in order to be sure to see a Whale Shark upclose.