How to spot the Whale shark when scuba diving
Rhincodon typus
Found globally in all tropical and warm temperate seas (roughly 30°N to 35°S latitude), inhabiting both the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans. They are primarily pelagic (open ocean) but form predictable coastal aggregations for feeding.
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Seasonality is key and varies by location, often linked to plankton blooms. Examples include March-June (Ningaloo Reef, Australia), November-May (Mexico), October-March (Mozambique), March-April (Thailand), August-November (Seychelles).
Warm waters, generally above 21°C (70°F).
Look for known aggregation sites often relatively nearshore during specific seasons (e.g., Ningaloo, Holbox, Donsol, Djibouti) or around offshore islands/seamounts. Many encounters happen while snorkeling or diving in the top 10-15 meters.
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Worldwide observation of the Whale shark
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Data sources
- Photos: Wikimedia Commons
- Distribution and specie data: GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
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