Dive with Whale Sharks in Belize
Diving with the world's largest fish in Belize
For an exciting scuba diving vacation, why not dive with whale sharks in Belize?
Whales sharks are the biggest fish in the sea, ranging more than 40 feet in length. Despite their size and relationship to the fearsome shark family, these monsters are filter-feeders, somewhat like baleen whales. They strain their food, such as plankton, from the water as they swim. These gentle giants have little interest in humans.
Whale sharks are found around the world in tropical and semi-tropical waters. It is an ancient species, first appearing some 60 million years ago. They are migratory and can be seen with some regularity on specific reefs during certain times of the year. As with most sharks, it is a target of commercial fishing, and although the exact numbers worldwide are not known, it is considered a vulnerable species. In Taiwan, the whale shark is often called the tofu shark due to the similarity in the taste and texture of the meat to tofu.
One of the best and most accessible places for North Americans to dive with whale sharks is near Gladden Spit on the Belize Barrier Reef in Central America. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest in the world, next to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Here, around the time of the full moon in the months of March through June, the Culebra snapper spawns in huge numbers. Whales sharks time their visit to these spawning periods, feeding on the massive amount of eggs released by the fish.
Whale sharks tolerate divers and snorkelers quite well, despite their fearsome size. Although it’s not uncommon for divers to hitch rides on the sharks by holding onto a fin, it’s not encouraged at the Gladden Spit shark area. But getting quite close and photographing them is!
Isla Marisol Resort on nearby Glover’s Atoll provides daily trips to dive with whale sharks during the spring full moon visits at Gladden Spit. A spotter network at the spit helps ensure that the sharks can be easily located. This popular all-day visit includes lunch and typically two dives with the sharks.
If you’re a diver or snorkeler, find out more about this year’s Diving with Belize’s Whale Sharks program at Isla Marisol Resort.
We went swimming with whale sharks and it was a life-changing moment… we highly recommend this activity for anyone who has the opportunity to do it!!!