Comments on: The Disappearing Whale Sharks of Donsol

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 12:43:26 +0000

In reply to Rommel Natanauan. Rommel, I would recommend developing Donsol as a destination for scuba divers. We were underwhelmed by the whale shark sightings but totally blown away by our day scuba diving!

By: Rommel Natanauan

Rommel Natanauan — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 08:21:45 +0000

In reply to Socs. Anything that you can recommend that we in the national tourism government can do to save Donsol? Thanks.

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 12:02:45 +0000

In reply to Laura @ Design Think Travel. I can definitely relate to that! The good news is that while we didn't see whale sharks in Donsol, it was my favorite diving in all of Southeast Asia!

By: Laura @ Design Think Travel

Laura @ Design Think Travel — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 06:57:10 +0000

We are considering whether or not to include Donsol in our Philippines itinerary, and this post was a helpful reminder that whale sharks aren’t guaranteed.

I already had one whale shark fail on this trip when my sister flew all the way from the US to meet up with us in Ko Lanta, which I chose because of the chance to dive with whale sharks and mantas. On our dive day, high winds prevented our boat from reaching the dive site. Argh! These things happen, but it was a real bummer because I wanted to dive somewhere special with my sister.

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 06:53:51 +0000

In reply to Mark. I felt similarly disappointed by the whale sharks, but was glad I made the trip regardless as the diving was phenomenal. They should definitely focus on promoting that part of the tourism to this region! Sorry your trip was a bummer :(

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 02:50:43 +0000

I brought my kids to Dongsol last week of December 2015. It is on my bucket list and was very disappointed that on the two days we went out, not a single whale shark was spotted by us or any boats that went out. They should stop making more false advertising on the Web as many of us have to travel great distance to be there.

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 14:08:09 +0000

In reply to CarlaZ. We chose not to visit Oslob over concerns that they were harassing the whale sharks and treating them unethically. I suppose everyone will have to make their own decision based on the information they can find! Best of luck.

By: CarlaZ

CarlaZ — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:26:12 +0000

Thank you for the answer.
When we hear about whalesharks in Philippines everybody talks about Oslob…

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:01:50 +0000

In reply to CarlaZ. Hey Carla! Sorry, but I haven't heard anything since I was in the Philippines myself. Maybe try posting on the Tripadvisor message boards... there might be someone with more recent knowledge there! Best of luck!

By: CarlaZ

CarlaZ — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 03:41:09 +0000

Hi Alex,
Have you heard about whale sharks in Donsol for the last years (2014 and 2015)?
I was planning to go there next February but without whale sharks, I don’t know if worth it.