Oslob Whale Shark Watching Adventure 2016
4:48 PMA Whale Of A Time |
It was around 12 mn when we went to South bus terminal Cebu
City. Good thing because the first trip going to Oslob is 1 am. Just a quick tip if you're traveling in a tight budget (Instead of staying at the hotel or inn, we decided to stay at Starbucks and wait til 12 mn so that we can save our money for hotel accommodation!) Haha! Believe me this strategy works in us! We arrived at Oslob around 3:45 am and we're not familiar with the place and we haven't have our room reservation prior to our stay but good thing because the bus conductor dropped us to MB's Sunrise View Resort.
How to get to Oslob:
- From South Bus Terminal Cebu City hop on an Oslob-bound bus for 3-4 hours travel time.
- Ceres Bus Fare (non-air-conditioned): 150+ php
- Ceres Bus Fare (air-conditioned): 155 php Travel time : 2-4 hours (depends on the traffic)
From Bato it will only take you 20-30 minutes travel time and it will cost you 30 php for the fare. (Ceres bus)
From Moalboal Travel time: 2 hours (1 hour plus to the town of Bato plus another 20 minutes) Ceres bus: 100 php.
- Ask the bus conductor to drop you off at Brgy. Tan- awan for whaleshark watching.
Another tip: Take the earliest trip.
Early bird
watches the whale shark! (Lol! Did I say that?)
Well, if you want to avoid the city traffic and avoid the crowd during
your whale shark watching, I recommend for you to be early as possible. Why? Because
it’s better to watch and swim with them without any distractions from the crowd
and be the first to see them during feeding time. Also, whale shark watching
won’t last the whole day, they get fed from 6am to noon. Take note, that the whale shark watching is only 30 minutes for 500 php for local tourists and 1000 php for foreigners. (Inclusions will be posted below!)
We are blessed
because the resort where we are staying is just a walking distance to the whale
shark area. They also offer itinerary package for whale shark watching. We went
there as early as 6 am and we met a new friend from Holland named “Elina” (Hi
Eline! Really had fun swimming with you and the whale shark!) She joined
us on our whale shark adventure.
When we arrived there, we head straight to the
briefing area and the tourist guide discussed with us the whale shark
interaction guidelines.
I thought
it was cleared to all tourist about the guidelines but still there's a lot of
tourists who opposed it and somehow they even try to touch the whale sharks. What
saddened me was the chaotic scenery of the tourist who tried to do every single
angle to have great captured and not considering the harm or they can
scare away the whale sharks.
As early
as 6 am the waves are very high crashing
ashore and a fairly strong wind is blowing on us that’s the reason why it’s
very hard to swim and see
the whale shark properly. Luckily I’m a good swimmer and was able to capture good shots
there.
When I encountered the whale sharks, I was dumbfounded and mesmerized by its beauty and the
way it look (It's so gigantic)! I thank God for such a beautiful creation and I hope they will last a lifetime.
I
had great time and still in disbelief of what I just saw. I'm in awe to God. I’m
also thankful for the fisherman/tourist guide there because they are very
accommodating and the locals have shown genuine hospitality and very passionate
in entertaining us! Truly Filipino blood runs in their veins!
Whale Shark Watching Fees as of 2016
Local Tourists:
Fee: 300 php
Inclusion: Whale watching in the boat, no swimming and a life jacket.
Fee: 500 php
Inclusion: Life jacket, snorkeling with the whale shark.
Foreign Tourists:
Fee: 1000 php
Inclusion: Snokeling with the whale shark and a life jacket.
Local Tourists:
Fee: 300 php
Inclusion: Whale watching in the boat, no swimming and a life jacket.
Fee: 500 php
Inclusion: Life jacket, snorkeling with the whale shark.
Foreign Tourists:
Fee: 1000 php
Inclusion: Snokeling with the whale shark and a life jacket.
You can also rent an underwater camera if you don't have one for only 500 php. They will give you a copy via CD or if you have a flash drive they can put it there.
I hope this helps!
XOXO,
Rothessa
13 comments
Nice frenny! I've been to Oslob too and whale sharks are the best! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks frenny! :) You're right! whale sharks are the best and so are you since you commented on this!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRuthie, aside sa 500pesos for locals, naa pa ba lain bayaran? Sa 500 unsa na ang naa dra?
ReplyDeleteHello Nikki! Good day ;)
Deletewala na iba payment! ang inclusion anang 500 kay kadtong snorkeling gear pero wala ang fins ha? :) tapos life jacket. then pwede naka maka swim with the whale shark. if you prefer staying at the boat, then 300 lang ang payment. 😀
I have been whale watching a few times, and I have seen other wonderful sea creatures but a whale shark is still on my wish list, they look so very beautiful and so damn huge too! Good tip about getting there earlier, I can imagine it's a better experience when there are not too many others in the water at the same time. One to add to my list!
ReplyDeleteYes, it should be added! It's a cool experience <3
DeleteOk I am SO jealous, swimming with the biggest fish in the world has long been near the top of my bucket list, and I haven't got the chance to do it yet. I have been dolphin watching a couple times and it's the same, a whole crowd of boats rushing on the animals, it's really not great but unfortunately for a tourist there is nothing more important than a good photo :( In any case I will save all the info you give on this page, I hope to make this dream come true in a near future!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yay! It's my pleasure. I hope you will turn that dreams into reality.
DeleteThat must have been so amazing ( and a bit scary ; ) I think Swimming with Wale sharks, is like swimming with Dolphins, one of those things you have to do at least once in your life :)
ReplyDeleteGreat experience!
Yes, so true! I've done it twice and it's really worth it. The experience is very breathtaking.
DeleteWow! We also offer a Oslob Canyoneering Day Tour Package
ReplyDeleteGo on the ultimate adventure of a lifetime by adding "whaleshark encounter" to your bucket list of must-visit travel destinations. Explore the picturesque beauty of the underwater world while snorkeling with gentle giants like the majestic whale sharks. This dream journey is perfect for those with a heart filled with wanderlust and a passion for unforgettable experiences. It is indeed an unforgettable experience will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
ReplyDelete