Whale Shark Spotting in Donsol

Sorsogon is located at the southernmost tip of Luzon. Sorsogon offers a wide variety of diversions, including scuba diving, snorkeling, sport fishing, swimming, boating, island-hopping, sunbathing, beachcombing, mountain climbing, biking, hiking, spelunking and the most famous whale shark watching. Whale shark spotting in sorsogon became a word of mouth passed on to every tourist exploring the Philippines.

The whale shark, locally known in Donsol as “butanding”, is the biggest fish in the world.  It is in the waters of Donsol where such a phenomenally large number of Whale Sharks can be seen. In fact, Donsol is now dubbed by enormously awed and
satisfied tourists as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World”. These gentle giants of the sea is about 60 feet long and 40 ton creature like a whale shark have been observed to converge in the waters of Donsol starting sometime during the months of October and November, and peaks in the months of February to May. The Butandings, featuring silvery polka dots all over its huge body, feeding only on plankton and krill, are harmless, gentle, friendly and playful, allowing humans to swim, play and interact with them, as they ponderously glide alongside seacraft.

Butanding Interaction Guidelines:
Visit the Tourism Office for registration and attend the orientation or Butanding interaction briefing. There will also be an arrangement for the boat and an accredited boat and boat crew, including a Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO). It is also adviced to bring food, water, snorkling gear, underwater cameras, and other gadgets needed.

Code of Conduct (according to the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Council):
        *Do not touch or ride the Whale Shark.
        *Do not restrict the movement of the Whale Shark, or impede its natural path.
        *Maintain a distance of 3 meters from the head or body of the Whale Shark, and 4 meters from its tail.
        *Do not use flash photography.
        *A maximum of six (6) swimmers per Whale Shark is allowed, and only one (1) boat per Whale Shark.
        *Do not use SCUBA gear, scooters, jet skis or any other motorized underwater propulsion machines.

Other getaways and activities in Sorsogon include, Astillero of Donsol, Mt. Bulusan Natural Park &  Mountain Lake Resort, Century-old Barcelona Church and Ruins, The Old Houses of Juban, Ruins of Panlatuan, Bagatao Is. of Magallanes, Dancalan Beach Resort, Rizal Beach Resort, Sabang Beach Resort, Paguriran Island, Tolong-Gapo Beach Resort, Libanon Beach Resort, Mapaso Spring, Mateo Hot & Cold Springs Resort, Masacrot Springs, Palogtok Falls and many more!!
 
How to get there:
From Manila, take a direct flight to Legaspi City in Albay province for about 50 mins or a bus bounded for Sorsogon.  From Legaspior Sorsogon, take a van for an hour to reach Donsol.