So I've been dying to experience the thrill of swimming with whales (although whale sharks are classified as sharks, but it will do!) so we went to Oslob in Cebu.
Oslob is a seaside town in Southern Cebu. People have been coming to this place just to experience swimming with these gentle giants. I've learned that the people of Oslob have been feeding them with krill in order to keep the whale sharks in the area, about 30 kilos a day. They guarantee that during your tour, you will see whale sharks, else money back and now I know why as they've been feeding them. In my opinion though, since whale sharks are migratory and are suppose to find food by themselves, will be disturbed somewhat. However I am unsure what the effects are if they don't migrate at all, whether good or bad only time can tell. The positive side though, (I've been interviewing my tour guide), is that the government is planning to turn the place into a sanctuary. Sanctuary means no motor boat allowed and whale sharks to be protected meaning, catching, hunting and harming them are prohibited by law. Although those are already practiced and whale sharks have been protected in Philippines since 1998, (since they started appearing in Donsol) let's just hope that it will remain that way. I love the fact that the fishermen are protective of the whale sharks not just for tourism purposes but also for the sake of these creatures, I just hope that no other citizens will harm them. I mean their exposure could attract poachers and sell them in black market. Anyway I believe this is also a great opportunity to study their behavior when you're around the area. Ok I'm getting serious with my post, I've just been weighing the pros and cons as I myself is an animal lover. I've learned how elephants are treated in Thailand let's just hope it won't happen to our whale sharks. Anyway check out our photos below. The fisherman said, there are about 13 whale sharks in the area, if my memory serves me right.
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| A fisherman feeding a whale shark with krill (alamang) |
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| The whale sharks are just about 20 meters from shore |
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| Bigger than our boat, this one I think is about 7 m. And look at the number of Remora fish under it! If you don't know what remoras are these are basically fishes that live in a symbiotic relationship with sharks or large sea creatures and they fed on their left overs and I think cleaning them. |
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| So I basically ruined a perfect shot of the whale shark. They were so close to us! |
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| Look at it filter feeding! |
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| Got hit there with its tailfin, ignore my tummy! |
Safety reminders, do not apply sunblock as these can harm the whale sharks, no touching (although I'm pretty sure you would as they are so close you will accidentally touch them!) and wear rash guards. I swear the water stings and probably microscopic jellies are living there! I swear I didn't see them jellies yet I got stung!!
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| It's just a small scab from jellies but I swear it's a pain felt like my hips were on fire! |
In case you're interested, you can avail of the package in this link which includes, Tumalog falls trip and also Blue Water resort day pass in Sumilon Island.
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| Tumalog falls |
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| Sandbar of Blue Water Resort in Sumilon Island |
I suggest you avail of the complete package. This includes lunch buffet in the resort plus activities such as kayaking, fish feeding, trekking, snorkeling etc. The package also comes with a pick up car or van depending on the number of people ( we were 5 so it was an Innova) anywhere in Cebu.
More photos in my facebook account shot by Xperia Z2. I have no regrets buying that phone! I had it everywhere with me, waterproof phones are the best during island hopping and beach vacays! Go buy now too! #lol.
Anyway I had a nice short vacation, next trip will be on September. I can't wait. :)
