Whale Sharks

This thread was just what I needed this morning at work ... strangers
making jokes about whale shark parking. HA! Anyway, does anyone have
advice for whale sharks in June? I was hoping something in the
Caribbean or Mexico. Want to make the Galapagos soon, but need more
vacation time to get out there. Only have 6 days. Thanks for your
advice.


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"scubakimmi" <scubakimmi.1oeraz@forums.deeperblue.net> wrote in message
news:scubakimmi.1oeraz@forums.deeperblue.net...
>
> Anyway, does anyone have
> advice for whale sharks in June? I was hoping something in the
> Caribbean or Mexico.

The only area close to what you are talking about for that time of year,
**that I know about**, which has some level of predictability is southern
Belize, where April, May and June have been known for good whale sharking. I
have done them out of Southwest Caye, which is one of the islands or atolls
that make up Glovers Reef. There is a really nice resort there called Isla
Marisol, which ain't exactly cheap, but isn't overly expensive either. It's
a really beautiful resort on a privately held island, and is what I
consider, top of the line, for Belize. They do a really nice job of
accessing the sharks for both snorkels and divers.

The thing to remember is that the phase of the moon matters. The best
viewing and best probability is during the full moon phase, which is about
one week or so each of the months mentioned because that is when the feed
fish are in the shallows and that attracts the whale sharks. I don't have
any idea what the dates for full moon phase in S Belize is in 2005.

I had an amazing week there a few years back and would hope it could be the
same for you. And outside of the whale sharks, the resort and island itself
are quite nice, quiet and private and the diving is superb.

scubakimmi wrote:
> Anyway, does anyone have
> advice for whale sharks in June?

Yes, I have advice for whale sharks. I would advise them to go to Saba
the last week in June, because that's where I'll be. I would advise them
to find me and pose for pictures. Somehow I will make it worth their while.

gc

Thanks so much for the recommendation for Belize. We are considering
it! Belize and Baja were the only two places I came up with for whale
sharks in June. Saba sounds great, too. But that'll take too long to
travel to. I'd have to be returning when I land almost. But Saba and
Galapagos are the top two places on my list.


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"scubakimmi" <scubakimmi.1ofnhb@forums.deeperblue.net> wrote in message
news:scubakimmi.1ofnhb@forums.deeperblue.net...
>
> Thanks so much for the recommendation for Belize. We are considering
> it! Belize and Baja were the only two places I came up with for whale
> sharks in June. Saba sounds great, too. But that'll take too long to
> travel to.

> I'd have to be returning when I land almost. But Saba and
> Galapagos are the top two places on my list.

I would agree that in this part of the world Galapagos is a rich environment
and premium for whale sharks. Apart from some Caribbean islands there is no
destination I have visited more over the years than Galapagos, and on my
last trip, August of 2003, we *think* had 21 whale sharks over a 3 day
period at Wolf (although I am suspicious if the local guides weren't double
counting :^) The only problem with Galapagos is that the water goes green in
the late summer and fall, whereas I didn't have that condition at Southwest
Caye.

I have never visited Saba. It's not that I am not interested, but there have
always been places that interested me more when making diving plans. Is this
the island where you fly in on model airplanes and land on the short strip
immediately after dodging the mountaintop right before the airfield? I can't
remember if that is Saba or St Lucia. But that alone sounds worth the visit!

Anyway, good luck on your whale shark hunt. They can be an infuriating prey.
There are people who have been diving for decades and decades who have never
been in the water with one. There are so many things that upset any
predictability with that fish.