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For an enjoyable diving getaway why not dive with whale sharks in Belize?

Whales sharks are the most massive fish in the sea, ranging more than 40 feet long. Notwithstanding their size and relationship to the feared shark family, these monsters are filter-feeders, rather like baleen whales. They strain their food, for example plankton, from the water as they swim. These placid giants have little interest in humans.

Whale sharks are located around the planet in tropical and semi-tropical oceans. It’s an old species, first evolving some 60 million years back. They’re migratory and can be seen with some consistency on distinct reefs during specific times of the year. As with many sharks, it’s a target of commercial fishing, and although the precise numbers across the world are unknown, it is regarded as a vulnerable species. In Taiwan, the whale shark is usually called the tofu shark due to the likeness in the taste and texture of the flesh to tofu.

One of the finest and most accessible spots 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-biggest in the world, next to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Here, around the time of the full moon in the months of March to June, the Culebra snapper spawns in huge numbers. Whale sharks time their trip to these spawning seasons, feeding on the enormous amount of eggs spread by the fish.

Whale sharks tolerate divers and snorkelers quite well, in spite of their terrifying size. Although it is not uncommon for divers to hitch rides on the sharks by grabbing onto a fin, it isn’t encouraged at the Gladden Spit shark area. But getting quite close and photographing them is!

A number of resorts and dive operations provide daily trips to dive with whale sharks during the spring full moon visits at Gladden Spit, but one of the most well-regarded is Isla Marisol Resort on nearby Glover’s Atoll. A spotter network at the spit helps ensure that the sharks can be easily located. This sought-after all-day visit includes lunch and usually two dives with the sharks.

If you’re a scuba diver or snorkeler, do not miss getting close up to these serene giants in Belize!

John Randall is a diver and veteran guide of many wildlife tours. His interest in diving with Belize’s whales sharks has taken him to Belize many times.