Whale Sharks in Southern Leyte, Philippines
No need to flutter to Oslob or Donsol coz you can find these beautiful marine creatures in Sogod Bay.
‘Though seasonal, whale sharks often dwell in Son-ok, Pintuyan
or inhabit the nearby waters of Southern Leyte from November to May.
They are locally known as ‘tiki-tiki’ in Leyte province or
‘butanding’. Whale sharks measure up to 18 meters and weigh more than 34
tons. They are filter feeders who eat zooplankton and small fish by
sucking water through their huge mouths, which can be up to 1 meter
wide. Each whale shark has a unique outline of white spots and lines.
Experts and researchers use these distinctive patterns as ‘fingerprints’
to distinguish and identify each creature.
Important notes when encountering these whale sharks:
Other notes:
- Guide is required.
- 5-meter distance from swimmer to whale. They have rough coating and might bruise or cut your skin. Just watch, don’t touch.
- Don’t use sunscreen lotions. The chemicals can be harmful to them.
- Do not feed them.
- Don’t catch the fish.
- Do not jump off the boat. Enter water slowly.
- Bring your own swimming fins and goggles. Limited fins and snorkeling masks for rent.
These whale
sharks found in Southern Leyte aren’t fed unlike in Oslob, Cebu or Donsol,
Sorsogon. They naturally enter Sogod Bay or wander into the waters of Leyte
South from November until summer, as part of their natural cycle of migration. These
were vulnerable species protected by Philippine law, Republic Act 8550 or
Philippine Fishery Code of 1998, Section 11 and 97 – Protection and prohibition
of catching (or collection) of rare, threatened, and endangered species.
Other notes:
- One must contact the Tourism Office of Southern Leyte if you want to interact with these creatures or may ask from the Southern Leyte Tourism and Investment Promotion Center (SLTIPC) for more details. (0917-886-0611)
- The number of visitors who can participate each day is limited. This is to ensure that guests’ behavior are properly controlled and monitored to minimize the activity’s impact to these creatures.
- Fees depend on the number of participants.
Travel Guide
IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA, CEBU OR DAVAO:
There are actually directs flights from Manila to Tacloban, Cebu to
Tacloban and Davao to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight takes
at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air
travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at
Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban
City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service.
TACLOBAN CITY
At Tacloban City Bus Terminal, ride a bus or van bound for Sogod,
Southern Leyte. (2 hours estimated travel time). When you reach Sogod
Bus Terminal, look for buses bound for San Ricardo, Southern Leyte. Tell
the driver to drop you off in Son-ok, Pintuyan, Southern Leyte.
More Photos:
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| Photos from Rocky Fabilane and Joseph Pasalo |
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