WHALE SHARKEvery year during the months of March, April, May & June, whale sharks migrate to an area off the beautiful shores of Placencia in Belize called the Gladden Split.
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, and one of the largest creature of any kind alive today.
Diving with whale sharks is achieved via scuba, and with snorkeling gear. Whether diving with whale sharks, or swimming with the gentle giants, the whale sharks can be as close as a few feet away---or even touching distance.

Some twenty five years ago a local fisherman from Sapodilla Caye was the first person to report sightings of these magnificent creatures. Local fishermen from Placencia out on their annual snapper spawning fishing trips also had sightings, but thought it was only one shark, they named it Sapodilla Tom in honor of the first person that reported sightings. With the introduction of scuba diving to the area in recent years, it has been discovered that the migration is indeed dozens of sharks. Today this migration is the most popular diving attraction in Placencia with divers visiting from all over the world.

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, and one of the largest creature of any kind alive today. It is classified in the order of Orectolobiformes (five gill slits, anal fin, two dorsal fins, no spines on the fins and the mouth in front of the eyes).  Growing to a size of 40 feet or more, whale sharks are the world's largest fish. Their diet consists of plankton, bait fish, and small squid. As with most sharks, little is known about their reproduction and life span of these gentle giants. Sexual maturity is estimated to be reached at around 30 years. Whale sharks are born alive in litters of up to 300 young.

3 or 4 days before and after the full and new moons in April and May are the best times to interact with the sharks, they are often sighted through the summer months as well. They roam up and down the coast, the Gladden Spit area about 26 miles off the coast of Placencia.  Placencia is known to host large concentrations of whale sharks during those months when Mutton and Dog Snappers are spawning (the whales ingest the spawn as food).
Diving with whale sharks is achieved via scuba, and with snorkeling gear. Whether diving with whale sharks, or swimming with the gentle giants, the whale sharks can be as close as a few feet away---or even touching distance.  Whale shark photographers will find it beneficial to bring a wide angle lens---the wider the lens, the better.
Whale sharks are generally found within 20 feet of water surface, and we will observe them from the water's surface snorkeling. Generally considered docile and harmless, they filter feed on plankton and small fish, as do the great whales. Observing these giants underwater is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Proper protocols will be followed to ensure that our activities do not negatively impact the whale sharks, dolphins, or reefs.
The deep waters en route to the whale shark site also offer opportunities to observe bottlenose and spotted dolphins.