Oh Whale…Shark?!
Last year, we booked a tour in Cebu. One of those spontaneous “why not” decisions that lead to something you didn’t know you needed. It was my first time in Cebu and also my first time swimming with whale sharks.
I thought I’d write something from memory. Just a glimpse of that time in Oslob.
Sunrise over Oslob
There’s probably a quote somewhere about how discomfort heightens beauty. I usually don’t believe in that kind of thing, but in this case it fits.
We landed in Cebu late at night. After a quick dinner and a few hours of hotel sleep (or no sleep at all), our driver picked us up at 4 a.m. to take us to Oslob.
The van ride was long and bumpy, I genuinely feared I’d get whiplash. I had hoped to rest a little on the way, but instead, I watched the sky shift from darkness to soft light, revealing a long stretch of coastline to our left.
As we got closer to Oslob, the scenery started to change and I was glad to be awake. I got to watch a beautiful sunrise and it made the whole ride worth it.
Morning crowd
By the time we arrived, it was already packed. Maybe fifty people ahead of us. But thanks to our guide, we got our names listed and waited for our turn. At the end of the line, we filled out some forms with our names and information and then waited for our number to be called for a briefing. While waiting, we noticed a few stores selling souvenirs and a karinderya (local eatery) across the road where we could grab some breakfast. We hadn’t eaten yet, so we ordered some cup noodles and Milo or coffee to tide us over.
After the briefing, we waited again until it was our turn to prepare for the boat ride. Finally, at 8:30 a.m., we got on the boat, and the activity lasted for about 30 minutes. Even though we had to wait for two hours, it was worth it.
Face-to-face
The water was clear. As I leaned over and dipped my head beneath the surface, I saw the whale shark, massive but calm, gliding just beneath us.
I don’t know how to swim, so there was a moment of panic, but that passed quickly. They didn’t feel threatening at all. If anything, being next to something that enormous made everything else go silent. We got lucky with some beautiful photos and videos, and our guide made sure to capture the moment for us.
It only lasted about 30 minutes, but it lingers in my memory like a dream.
There’s a side to this experience that I didn’t know until after the trip.
Things I Learned Later
Feeding whale sharks to keep them in one place interferes with their migration and natural behavior. It can make them dependent on humans and more vulnerable to harm. I wish I had known this before we booked. It doesn’t undo what happened but it does make me think differently about future travels.
If you’re planning something similar, consider choosing marine experiences that prioritize wildlife conservation. Let’s protect what we still have. Let’s be a little more careful with the beauty we’re lucky enough to witness.
I still carry that morning with me. Not just for the whale sharks but for the way the sea looked at sunrise, for the cup noodles, and the feeling of standing in line at 6 a.m. wondering what the day would bring.