How to Swim With Whale Sharks Ethically
- Madi in the Wild
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Recently, I had the honor of swimming with whale sharks for the first time.
Gliding beside this brightly patterned giant, calm and unbothered by my presence, I was struck by how surreal the moment felt and how difficult it is to truly grasp that magic without experiencing it firsthand. Swimming with whale sharks is an unforgettable privilege, but it must be done responsibly.
In this post, I’ll break down everything you need to know to choose a sustainable and ethical tour operator for your whale shark swimming experience.
My Whale Shark Journey
My journey began in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, where I learned about tagging whale sharks alongside Ch'ooj Ajauil, a nonprofit led by Rafael de La Parra that focuses on protecting marine animals in northern Quintana Roo. Spending days at sea with Rafael gave me firsthand insight into the laws, regulations, and best practices that govern ethical whale shark tourism.
This experience shaped how I view wildlife encounters and why responsible tourism matters so deeply.
Dive more into this experience here
Disclaimer
I have personally swum with whale sharks only through Rafael and Choo'ja Ajauil. References to other locations and operators in this post are based on my research and professional knowledge.
Table of Contents
Whale Shark Facts
Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, with some individuals reaching lengths of over 60 feet. They are highly migratory, traveling across entire ocean basins, and scientists are still uncovering the details of their long-distance movements. Juvenile whale sharks often gather seasonally in large feeding aggregations, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, as they filter-feed on plankton and small invertebrates.
Despite their size and name, whale sharks are gentle fish, not whales, and breathe underwater through gills. They are most often seen near the surface while feeding, which is why human encounters are possible.
Why Ethical Practices Matter
Tourism is not bad, but how it is done matters. Unethical practices may appear harmless, but can have serious consequences for whale sharks:
Boat strikes and collisions: Surface-feeding sharks are vulnerable to boat strikes, especially in areas with uncontrolled tourism.
Infectious disease: Touching sharks disrupts their protective mucus layer, increasing the risk of infection.
Behavioral disruption: Baiting, blocking, or ignoring safe distances alters feeding, migration, and social patterns.
Chemical exposure: Non-reef-safe sunscreen can harm the mucus layer and nearby marine life.
Long-term population impacts: Whale sharks mature slowly and produce few offspring, so stress from human interaction can affect population health.
Ethics: At its core, ethical wildlife tourism is about respect, understanding that these animals do not exist for our entertainment and that our presence should never compromise their survival.
Ethical Considerations
Have you ever had a gut feeling that something didn’t sit right with you, even if it was legal or considered “morally acceptable,” yet you went along with it? Those feelings are worth pausing to explore; they are part of what makes us human.
Just because an activity is legal doesn’t mean it is ethically neutral, nor does it mean it aligns with your personal moral compass. When something during a wildlife tourism experience feels off, take a moment to reflect and learn more about it. Acting on these instincts thoughtfully and respectfully can drive meaningful change for wildlife.
Ethical travelers have the power to raise standards, shift perceptions, and support operators who do things sustainably. By voicing concerns constructively, choosing responsible operators, and encouraging community-based improvements, we help create a tourism culture that prioritizes both human enjoyment, community involvement, and animal welfare.
Examples of Different Types of Ethical Interactions
At Ningaloo Reef, a study on the effects of ethical tourism on whale shark behavior found that larger individuals at regulated sites displayed avoidance behaviors, which slightly increased their energy expenditure. However, on average, each shark spent only about one hour per day interacting with tourists, suggesting minimal long-term impacts from these encounters (Reynolds et al, 2024). The study estimates that tourism accounts for roughly 4% of a whale shark’s daily activity, meaning energy costs are likely low and natural behaviors remain largely unaffected (Reynolds et al, 2024).
In contrast, Oslob, Philippines, has more relaxed regulations, making it one of the most visited whale shark destinations due to its affordability and the high likelihood of sightings from shark provisioning. A 2020 study found that whale sharks in Oslob exhibited anticipatory feeding behavior and reduced avoidance behaviors compared to those at Ningaloo (Legaspi et al., 2020). Reduced avoidance can increase the risk of boat strikes and invasive interactions, such as touching or ridingsharks (Penketh et al., 2020).
These comparisons highlight why ethical, well-managed tourism matters: by maintaining natural behaviors and limiting stress, responsible interactions can support both conservation and research while allowing humans to experience these gentle giants safely.
Below, you’ll find general guidelines for interacting with whale sharks responsibly.
General Code of Conduct
At each destination around the world, different laws govern interactions with whale sharks, but I have found that these standard rules apply to companies licensed to lead tours.
No feeding or baiting whale sharks
A responsible tour operator will never feed or bait whale sharks. Baiting alters natural behavior, can disrupt migratory patterns, and encourages sharks to associate boats with food. Whale sharks naturally aggregate in areas with dense plankton blooms, which is often why tour operators encounter them in the first place. There is no need to interfere with their natural feeding cycles.
No touching the sharks.
Touching whale sharks is strictly prohibited. Not only can contact stress or injure the animal, but the oils and residues on human skin can damage the shark’s protective mucus layer, which plays a vital role in preventing infection and disease.
Maintain a safe distance.
Required distances vary by location and local regulations, but a general guideline is to stay approximately 3–5 meters away from the shark at all times. Keeping your distance reduces stress on the animal and minimizes the risk of accidental contact.
Limit the number of swimmers.
Ethical operators strictly limit the number of people in the water at any given time, often allowing only two swimmers per shark, accompanied by a guide. This reduces crowding, stress, and interference with the shark’s movement.
Boat conduct rules
Only one boat should approach a whale shark at a time, with engines turned off while swimmers are in the water. Boats must maintain a safe distance and should never chase or follow a shark too closely. While sharks may choose to swim near a boat on their own, operators should avoid positioning vessels in the shark’s path or operating motors nearby, as this increases the risk of boat strikes.
Proper swimming etiquette
Swimmers should enter the water calmly, avoiding splashing or sudden movements. Always swim parallel to the whale shark at a safe distance. Never swim directly in front of or behind the shark, as this puts you in its path and may cause the animal to alter its movement or collide with a swimmer.
Use only reef-safe sunscreen (applied before boarding)
Wear it when swimming with whale sharks, and apply it before getting on the boat. Ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate have been shown to contribute to coral bleaching, DNA damage, and harm to marine organisms by disrupting endocrine systems and reproduction.
Look for sunscreens made with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which act as physical UV blockers and are considered safer for marine ecosystems.
Find my recommended reef-safe sunscreen here.
Ethical Whale Shark Encounters Around the World
There are many places all over the world where you can encounter whale sharks. Below are a few of the most popular destinations, along with some ethical considerations for each!
México – Isla Mujeres & Beyond
I had my whale shark experience off of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and I could not recommend it enough. Not only is Isla Mujeres a beautiful destination to stay at, but Choo'ja Ajauil was a wonderful organization that operates Whale Shark Tours responsibly and in an educational manner.
In Mexico, SERMANT authorizes guides to lead whale shark trips under strict protocols designed to protect the sharks while providing an incredible experience for guests. These tours prioritize safety, conservation, and responsible wildlife interactions.
Check out this video of the work Rafael is doing with whale sharks off of Isla Mujeres here.
Australia – Ningaloo Reef
Widely considered one of the most ethical whale shark destinations in the world. Planes are used to spot sharks before boats approach, minimizing disturbance. Operators must hold an E-Class License (WA) from the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, in accordance with strict guidelines for swimmer numbers, approach distances, and conservation support.
Tanzania – Mafia Island
Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP) is a model for responsible whale shark tourism. Operators are licensed and follow strict rules: no baiting, limited swimmer numbers, controlled approach distances, and regulated swim times. Spotters locate sharks from small boats to minimize disruption. The season runs from October to March, when juvenile whale sharks naturally aggregate. Tours here support community-based conservation, research, and long-term protection, while offering a safe, unforgettable experience.
Philippines – Oslob, Donsol, Lila
These destinations are extremely popular due to their affordability and accessibility, which also makes them controversial for mindful tourists. Operators are considered licensed, but are allowed to bait, and interactions with sharks are not strictly managed. Tourism here provides livelihoods and helps protect whale sharks, after hunting was banned in 1998; however, that doesn’t mean tours are yet operated to the highest standards. Visitors should prioritize operators that emphasize education, ethical practices, and conservation awareness, even if that means traveling to a different part of the Philippines to see whale sharks.
Find some resources from bloggers who experienced swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines firsthand here: more resources.
Swimming With Whale Sharks-What Ethical Tourism Gets Right
Ethical whale shark tours do more than provide an unforgettable experience; they fund marine protected areas, support conservation initiatives, and offer alternative livelihoods to communities that might otherwise rely on fishing or hunting. By giving people the tools to be stewards of the environment, ethical tourism aligns economic benefit with wildlife protection.
It also supports long-term research, such as photo ID programs and tagging projects, helping scientists track whale shark populations and behavior. Furthermore, it incentivizes governments to safeguard aggregation sites and fosters local pride in protecting these gentle giants.
Awe Comes With Responsibility-How to Get Involved
Whale sharks are endangered, with populations having declined by 50% over the last 75 years. Your choices as a visitor directly influence their survival. Done responsibly, whale shark tourism can actively support conservation and protect these species.
The best part of swimming with whale sharks is the opportunity to help protect them. If you have an underwater camera or plan on taking photos in any capacity, you can upload them to the database in which sharks are tracked and identified. This helps scientists and researchers learn more about these mysterious giants, uncovering where they come from and where they go.
The ECOCEAN photo identification library stores, analyses, and matches photos to document individual whale sharks that tourists encounter each season. By submitting your whale shark photos, you are helping scientists better understand and protect these excellent fish.
Ways to contribute without swimming:
Support marine conservation organizations
Share educational resources (reposting this blog)
Choose destinations and operators that prioritize ethical practice
Advocate for better regulations and enforcement in wildlife tourism
Example: Oceana
Swimming with whale sharks is life-changing, but ethical practices help ensure these giants survive for future generations.
Ethical encounters allow humans to experience whale sharks while protecting their survival. Responsible tourism transforms awe into action, conservation, and stewardship. Swimming with whale sharks was one of the most defining wildlife experiences of my life, and it can be for you, too, if done ethically.
Discover my post on whale shark conservation in Isla Mujeres here
Find my reef-safe sunscreen & packing list here:
References
Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. (n.d.). Commercial operations licensing. https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/nature-based-tourism/commercial-activities/commercial-operations-licensing
Reynolds, S. D., Redcliffe, J., Norman, B. M., Wilson, R. P., Holton, M., Franklin, C. E., & Dwyer, R. G. (2025). Swimming with humans: Biotelemetry reveals effects of “gold standard” regulated tourism on whale sharks. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 33(1), 85–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2024.2314624
Legaspi, C., Miranda, J., Labaja, J., Snow, S., Ponzo, A., & Araujo, G. (2020). In-water observations highlight the effects of provisioning on whale shark behaviour at the world's largest whale shark tourism destination. Royal Society Open Science, 7(12), 200392. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.200392
Ramírez-Macías, D., Cáceres-Puig, J. I., Acevedo-Escobedo, K. M., & García-Baciero, A. (2026). Key elements for developing sustainable whale shark-human interactions in coastal aggregation areas. Marine Policy, 183, 106926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2025.106926
Norman, B. (2002). Review of current and historical research on the ecology of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), and applications to conservation through management of the species. Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management.
WWF. (n.d.). Whale sharks: The iconic species of Mafia Island, Tanzania. World Wildlife Fund. https://wwf.panda.org/es/?654951/Whale-Sharks-The-Iconic-Species-of-Mafia-Island-Tanzania
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