AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nature We want to see the whale sharks.

We are fortunate enough to be coming to San Pedro about the same time as the whale sharks come to the reef to feed in early May. In looking at all the tours and trips, I haven't found one yet that goes to view these magnificent creatures. Does anyone leave from Ambergis Caye to see them?

I am curious as well

No tours that I am aware of as the location for the most likely sightings is about 20 miles off the coast from Placencia at Gladden Spit. The arrival of the whale sharks is tied to the full moon (usually a few days after)when the snapper spawn in March, April and May. Obviously there is no guarantee that you will see any, but your odds are good at this time. Once they are there they usually stick around for several days. During optimal times the Gladden Spit area is full of boats; snorkelers, divers, fishermen. It can be really rough out there as well. Makes for an interesting trip. Contact Mary Toy at Destinations Belize in Placencia. She can hook you up.

Been there done that on our 15th Anniversary the mango and his bride at the exact time we were married 15 years before had the incredible experience of diving for 45 awesome minutes with
a 30' plus whale shark. It was smoking cool.
Brian Young of Seahorse Scuba is considered the leading authority in Placencia. While doing a surface interval a film crew came aboard our boat
to interview him about the whale sharks.

Cheers
Mango

Only info i have is down in southern Belize:

http://diverobertsgrove.com/dive.html#whaleshark

So it appears there is no way to do this through AC? I am going to be there the first week of May which is apparently one of the best weeks to see them.

Hey red, where there is a will, there is a way. we will be there in early May as well, if we can get enough people, I'm sure we can do a charter for a reasonable price.
I also read on a web site that May 9 - 12 is an excellent time to see them. If you are there around then, let's see if we can get a group together!


Anyone else interested?

A charter would be very expensive and require an overnight (at least) but is probably possible. Try Roberto at the Winnie Estelle.

Good info on Brian's Seahorse Divers at www.belizescuba.com

I am actually there 4/30-5/8. If we can accomplish this during my timeframe - then we would love to

What you are trying to do is not practical. It is a long, long boat ride from San Pedro to Gladdins where the whale sharks are. And once you get there, there is no assurance you will be there at the time of day the whale sharks happen to show up. The trips out of Placencia take about an hour to get to the area and they can spend a longer time hoping to see them. Even then it is not guaranteed you will see one.

If this is something you really want to do while in Belize, you should plan to do it out of Placencia or somewhere else in that area.

I go every year in both April and May and do it from South Water Caye. The Blue Marlin Lodge on South Water Caye is considering offering trips this year from there. It is about the same distance from South Water as from Placencia to the area. What I consider the advantage of doing it out of South Water Caye is that if the weather is prohibitive to take the hour boat ride to Gladdins, you still have good diving at South Water 5 minutes from the dock.