Asia
Philippines
Australia
Oslob
It’ssixo’clockinthemorning.You’restandingonadockinOslob,asmallfishingvillageinthePhilippines.Themaninchargegoesovertherules.Notouching.Noriding.Noflashphotography.Nosunscreen.Keepatleast5 meters(16feet)awayfromthesharksatall times.
Yougrabamaskandsnorkelandputonyourlifejacketbeforejoiningothertourists.Youhopaboardalarge,thincanoe.Thecaptainpaddlesoutfromshore,leadingalonglineof canoes.
Theboatcaptainstosshandfulsofshrimpsfrombucketsintothesea.Soonyouseewhatyou’vebeenhopingfor.Throughtheclearwaters,youseethebiggestfishintheocean:whale sharks.
Touristwatchwhalesharksinthe Philippines.
Touristslearnaboutwhalesharksbeforedivingintoswimwith them.
Thecaptainsaysit’sokaytogetinthewater,butstayoutofthewayofthesegentlegiants.Youjumpin.Withyourheadunderwateryoucanseeanimmensesharkswimpast.Ithasawidemouthwithasmatterofwhitespotsonitshuge head.
It’ssobig.Youfeelhumbled.Youpulloutyourwaterproofcamera.Click.Click.Click.
Agroupoftouristsjumpinthewatertoswimandtakepicturesofawhale shark.