How to ethically snorkel with whale sharks in the Philippines

Swimming with whale sharks is a bucket list activity that many dream of, and the Philippines is one of the most well-known and popular places to do it. That doesn’t necessarily mean you should. 

Animal tourism requires careful consideration, and unfortunately, places like Oslob have gained notoriety for unethical practices that harm these gentle giants. Instead, we want to encourage travellers to explore more responsible and rewarding whale shark encounters. 

This guide will show you how to ethically swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, focusing on Pintuyan in Leyte — a breathtaking island often overlooked by tourists. With its tropical vibes and sea of palm trees, it’s like stepping into a scene from Moana.

 Thinking of visiting the Philippines? Add a trip to Leyte to our 10-day Philippines: The Magic of the Visayas group tour for women. 

When is the best time to visit the Philippines?

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines offers sunshine somewhere year-round — if you know where to look. But with such diverse geography, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the best time to visit. The key is to check the weather for the specific region you’re headed to.

Dry season (November to April)

In general, the best time to visit the Philippines is during the dry season, from November to April, when the weather is sunny, and island-hopping, beach trips, and outdoor adventures are at their best. 

Wet season (May to October)

The wet season, from May to October, sees fewer tourists and lower prices but comes with heavy rains and possible typhoons, particularly from July to September. 

However, destinations like Siargao and Batanes shine during these months with lush landscapes and great surfing conditions.

When is the best time to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines?

Whale sharks can be spotted all year round, but it depends on where you are in the Philippines.

If you’re visiting Southern Leyte to swim with whale sharks, your best shot is between November and May. 

In Donsol, another ethical location, they can be seen from November to June, with February to May being the top months. 

Whale sharks can be seen year-round in Oslob, but we advise against swimming with them here. 

Why you shouldn’t swim with whale sharks in Oslob, the Philippines

Swimming with whale sharks in Oslob is a controversial topic, and if it comes up in conversation with other travellers in the Philippines, you might face some judgment — and rightfully so.

We understand the desire to snorkel alongside these magnificent creatures. But that desire doesn’t justify causing harm to the animals or their environment, which is exactly what happens in Oslob.

The fact that whale sharks are present in Oslob year-round isn’t a sign of a thriving ecosystem. Instead, it’s a result of the sharks being fed to keep them in the area, disrupting their natural migration and breeding patterns. This reliance on boat-fed food has led to malnutrition since they’re no longer sourcing their diverse diet from the wild.

On top of that, the constant presence of boats has caused severe injuries, with propeller strikes leaving many whale sharks scarred. With hundreds of people crowding the water, the experience is neither enjoyable nor ethical.

For the sake of these gentle giants, we strongly recommend avoiding Oslob and choosing responsible, sustainable whale shark encounters instead. 

Where can you ethically swim with whale sharks in the Philippines?

Our top recommendations are Donsol and Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte, which we’ll go into more detail about visiting below. 

How to swim with whale sharks in Pintuyan, Leyte

I visited the small town of Pintuyan in Southern Leyte in 2024, hoping to swim with whale sharks ethically. After getting unusually lucky, we saw them on our third attempt. 

I'll cover why Pintuyan should be your go-to destination for an ethical whale shark experience, along with everything you need to know about getting there and snorkelling with them.

Where are the whale sharks in Leyte?

Whale sharks can be found in Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte, with Pintuyan serving as the main hub for ethical encounters. In this region, it's not uncommon to spot them swimming just a few meters from the shore.

While some travellers choose to stay in Padre Burgos on the opposite side of the bay, it’s worth noting that boats from there still have to travel to Pintuyan for the experience. Plus, tours tend to be significantly more expensive compared to those directly from Pintuyan. 

Why should you visit Pintuyan?

Pintuyan is one of the best places in the Philippines to swim ethically with whale sharks, offering an experience with very few other tourists.

The local community is dedicated to protecting the whale sharks and promoting responsible tourism. Unlike Oslob, the rules and regulations here are strictly followed, ensuring a sustainable and respectful interaction.

Beyond the whale sharks, our time in Pintuyan was a highlight of our travels. With so few tourists, it’s easy to connect with the locals and by the end of our few days, it seemed most people knew us as ‘the girls who hadn’t seen whale sharks’. Ouch!

We were even invited by the major to join the town's anniversary celebrations where we spent the whole night dancing with the kids. 

This tiny town offers a genuine glimpse into Filipino life, with its intimate night market, humble local restaurants, and a warm sense of community that immediately welcomes you.

How many days should you stay in Pintuyan? 

Some people we met only stayed for one or two nights, assuming they would see a whale shark on their first attempt. 

The thing about natural wildlife sitings where no feeding is involved is that you can never predict what will happen. 

We stayed for three nights as we didn’t want to make the long journey there and risk leaving without seeing them. 

If your schedule is more flexible, you can just leave after seeing them. 

Where should you stay in Pintuyan? 

You don’t have a lot of choice when it comes to accommodation in Pintuyan. We stayed at D&G Transient House. It’s pretty basic, but the owners are incredibly friendly and will whip up some tasty food for you. 

How to get to Pintuyan? 

Getting to Pintuyan will be a long travel day, no matter where you’re coming from. Most transport connections aren’t available to book online, so it’s a case of purchasing tickets at the port/bus station and asking locals for help. It’s a real adventure, but you’ll get there eventually!

Bohol to Pintuyan

If you’re staying in Panglao or Bohol, you’ll need to head to the Ubay ferry port in the north of the island. Local buses and minivans can get you there. I recommend taking a minivan as they stop less and have air conditioning. 

From Ubay, take the ferry to Bato or Hilongos. Medallion Transport Inc. and Leopards Motorboat Services are two companies that operate these routes. I recommend checking their website or contacting them for the latest ferry schedule. Don’t worry about booking in advance, you can purchase your ticket at the ferry port. 

From Bato or Hilongos, you’ll need to walk to the nearby bus station. Ask for Pintuyan, and you might get lucky with a direct bus. Otherwise, you’ll need to take a bus to Sogod and transfer there. 

This journey can take anywhere from 10-14 hours. 

Cebu to Pintuyan

You can take a fast boat from Cebu City to Hilongos, which takes around 5 hours. From here, you’ll follow the same steps as the one on the route above. 

Siargao to Pintuyan

This route might be the easiest and shortest of the three. From Siargao, you’ll need to take a ferry to Surigao City. Here, you’ll take another ferry to San Ricardo Port and hop on a 20-minute bus to Pintuyan. 

What measures are in place to make it ethical? 

• No feeding the whale sharks 
• No touching 
• Must keep at least 3 metres away from the head, 4 metres from the tail and not obstruct its path
• A maximum of 6 tourists in the water with one shark
• Boats go out in allotted slots in the morning and afternoon for no longer than 3 hours. 
• A briefing is given on how to behave around the sharks, e.g. get in the water with minimal splashing.

How to swim with whale sharks in Pintuyan?

When you arrive in Pintuyan, settle into your accommodation and head straight to Pintuyan Municipal Hall. This is where you’ll register to swim with the whale sharks and have your name added to the list for the next day. 

Boats fit three people, and the price of the experience includes a guide, two spotters in their own boats, and an environmental fee. Here’s the price breakdown:

• Solo traveller — 3,100 PHP ($54)
• 2 people — 1,700 PHP per person ($30)
• 3 people — 1,233 PHP per person ($22)

If you’re travelling alone, you should be able to share a boat with other travellers to reduce the cost. 

Snorkel, mask and fins all cost an extra 50 PHP ($0.80) each to rent. 

There are two slots per day, in the morning and afternoon. The boats are only allowed in the water for 3 hours. 

What are the chances of seeing whale sharks in Pintuyan?

As with all animal interactions, they can never be guaranteed. That being said, the chances of seeing whale sharks in Pintuyan are pretty high. 

Most groups saw them on their first attempt. We just got incredibly unlucky, which became a joke throughout the town. Finally, we saw them on our third day. 

Was the wait worth it? It actually made the experience even better, as we appreciated it that bit more!

Add Pintuyan to your Philippines itinerary

A trip to Pintuyan in Leyte can be a great addition to our 10-day Philippines: Magic of the Visayas group tour for women. Tag it on before or after the trip to complete two incredible weeks in the Philippines.