AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nature whalesharks in late May?

Hi all,
I heard from a friend that the whale sharks will be spawning around Belize for 3 days before and after May 20th this year, but I just did some web browsing to confirm this and found a couple of sites saying May 4th. Can anyone confirm the dates and tell me if there is a good chance to see the whale sharks (without damaging them or their environment) during that time? Is there a good chance to see them outside of spawning time?

thanks in advance

Daveyboy

3 days before and after the full moon, but last full moon they were out before but not after. Look at www.placencia.com and at Seahorse Dive Shop or Roberts Grove. But no one can guarentee a sighting.

First of all, it is not the whale sharks that are spawning. It is the mutton snapper. The whale sharks remain in the area from around the full moon in April thru the full moon of May, possibly thru the full moon in June to feed off of the roe as the snapper spawn sometime around the full moon of those months. Now the most assured time to see them is when the snapper release their roe as that brings the whale sharks to that specific area. Other times they are just cruising around a larger area waiting for the spawn to occur. If the spawn is not happening, and being their exactly when the spawn occurs is a real long shot, you are relying on the sharks just happening to swim by you. The odds are fare that you will see one, but no one can tell you for sure.
I have read the estimated percentage that they say is the chances of seeing them and can tell you from my experience doing it every year, I think their estimates are high.

I have seen card sharks at the palace casino ,and loan sharks in belize city ,but never a whale shark would love to see one ..bywarren will be down the june 2 to the 8 lets hook up .. call me my brother .

...HERE Whale Shark, Whale Shark, Whale Shark. Hmm... think I'll try some chum.