Donsol whale shark interaction (butanding) – SNORKEL ONLY, no scuba
SNORKEL / SWIM ONLY – scuba is not allowed at Donsol. Registered boats with a Butanding Interaction Officer take up to six swimmers to snorkel with whale sharks (butanding) in plankton-rich water; the season is November to June, peaking February to May. Visibility can be limited by plankton.
Facts
- Region: Donsol (whale sharks) & Ticao – Philippines
- Area: Donsol Bay (snorkel only)
- Depth: 0–10 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: snorkel, whale-shark
- Coordinates: 12.925, 123.585 (approximate)
- Highlights: whale shark, plankton
- Permit: Every visitor must register at the Donsol Visitor Center (Brgy. Dancalan) and pay a registration fee and a boat interaction fee before going out; a briefing is part of it. A 2022 blog lists PHP 100 (locals) / PHP 300 (foreigners) registration and PHP 5,000 per boat for up to six people, and a 2023 blog gives no prices, so confirm current fees with the office. Rules: max six swimmers per boat, no scuba, no sunblock, no touching or flash.
- Issuer / contact: Donsol Tourism Office (Visitor's Center, Brgy. Dancalan)
- Phone: 0917 137 5134
- Email: donsoltourismoffice@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/DonsolTourism
- Contact taken from a 2023 travel blog quoting the office, not from an official government page; confirm before travel. Sorsogon Provincial Tourism office per the same blog: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph, 0968 624 6279.
- Tips: Register and pay at the Donsol Visitor Center first (briefing included); no sunblock, no touching or flash, keep about 3 m from the tail, one boat per whale shark. Sessions last about 2-3 hours, mornings are best.