Top Shot: Snorkeling with Whale Sharks
- Date: 04 June 2013
- Author: Tania Segura, WWF Travel
The narrow wooden boat glides smoothly through the Philippine waters. Nervous tension hangs in the air; your eyes scan the waters for signs.
Signs of what?
Butanding is the Tagalog word for a whale shark; it’s also what they call a whale shark officer. One of the officers shouts--he sees a shadow in the water. Suddenly the boat jerks into motion, chasing the whale shark but never getting ahead of it. You would think you were with a team of navy seals by the speed and swiftness of the operation. “Dive in!” he shouts, forgetting the boat hasn’t come to a complete stop.
The boats stops. You dive in.
Nothing.
The blue-grey waters engulf you while small schools of fish swim by. With your snorkel gear in place, you kick a bit more and turn. In the shadow of a giant, you have to remind yourself to breath in. The giant, spotted, plankton-eating mammal looms into view, five feet away.
“We’re like a fly to them, as long as we don’t touch or bother them, they aren’t disturbed by humans. You’ll never forget seeing a whale shark.”
Travel with the WWF to the Philippines on Snorkeling Adventure.
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