So you want to know where to find Whale Shark whilst Scuba diving in Thailand?! Of course, you do! It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be on every diver’s bucket list. These gentle giants are the largest fish in the ocean, and they are truly breathtaking to behold. Thailand is an excellent place to encounter these magnificent creatures, with several locations throughout the country offering opportunities for divers to dive with them. In this blog post, we will discuss where and when to find whale sharks in Thailand and what to expect when you encounter them.
Diving with whale sharks? Where!?
Thailand has several locations where you can encounter whale sharks.
popular places are:
Similan Islands
– The Similan Islands are located off the west coast of Thailand, around 50 km/31 miles from West Khao Lak is by far one of the best places to find whale shark in Thailand. The islands are surrounded by white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and incredible tropical marine animals, making them a diver’s dream destination. Whale sharks can be spotted between the months of February and April.
Koh Tao
– Koh Tao is an island in the Gulf of Thailand and is a world-renowned diving destination. Whale sharks are often seen around Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle, and Shark Island, three dive sites located near Koh Tao. You can encounter whale sharks here throughout the year, so it’s an excellent place to visit if you want to increase your chances of seeing these majestic creatures.
Chumphon
– Chumphon is a popular diving region on the mainland, about 463 km/287 miles south of Bangkok. Whale sharks have been sighted from the months of April to July at Him Pae, Him Lak Ngam, and the HTMS Prab wreck dive sites. If you’re planning to visit Koh Tao, Chumphon is an excellent place to stop on the way.
Koh Phi Phi
– Koh Phi Phi is a popular holiday destination amongst tourists, known for its clear blue water and relaxed island lifestyle. If you’re staying in or around Phuket or Ao Nang Krabi, then day trips can also be organised to both Koh Phi Phi and its surrounding dive sites. The island is surrounded by a national marine park consisting of soft corals, limestone walls, and diverse marine life species, including whale sharks.
Koh Chang
– Koh Chang, meaning Elephant Island, is home to beautiful white sand beaches and even more unbelievable dive sites. Although whale shark sightings here are possible all year round, the most likely sightings are when you go scuba diving in Koh Chang in March and April and usually whilst diving on the HTMS Chang Wreck!
Pattaya & Samae San
In recent times more and more whale sharks have been showing up on Dive trips in Pattaya and Samae san. Besides the amazing wreck dives and Far Island reefs, Scuba divers find whale sharks at Koh Sak Island, Koh Rin, HTMS Khram as well as the Hardeep Shipwreck at the Samae San Islands.. Keep an eye wide from Nov to Feb for Whalesharks diving in Pattaya.
What to Expect When You Encounter Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are gentle giants, and they are not a threat to humans. They are filter feeders and mainly feed on plankton and small fish, which means they are not interested in humans. However, they are still wild animals, and it’s important to treat them with respect and not to touch or harass them.
When you encounter a whale shark, you will be in awe of their size and beauty. They can grow up to 40 feet long, and their skin is covered in white spots, giving them a unique pattern. You may see them swimming slowly near the surface, filtering plankton from the water, or deeper in the water column. It’s important to keep a safe distance from them to avoid disturbing them or causing them any harm.
It’s also important to note that whale shark sightings are not guaranteed. Although many Thailand Dive Site locations offer opportunities to dive with them, sightings are still rare. However, the experience of diving in Thailand’s pristine
