Whale Shark Close Encounter in Oslob

On the 2^nd week of January 2014, we decided to visit and swim the popular tourist attraction in Oslob, the Whale shark or also called Butanding and in the local dialect they called it (Tuki), this is the first traveled that we have in this year. Together with my wife and our friends we finally have our close encounter and swim to one of the biggest sea creatures in the sea, the Whale Shark. Visiting the whale shark in Oslob is one of the tourist destinations that we want to achieve this year. There are only a few places in the Philippines that these sea creatures will stay and Oslob is one of these places; they stay in one place because the area has plenty of food to get.

Since this is our first time to encounter this Whale Shark was so eager to see them closely. They have orientation first before you get a swim or have a close encounter with the Butanding. I admit that I was afraid at first because of doubts at the back of my mind on what these sea creatures can do. But when we on track to swim we really enjoyed our stay in the water and took plenty of pictures with the whale shark. During our swim with them, they are 8 at that time. It was a wonderful experience that we have in the first month of the year 2014.

You just need to register in their registration booth your name and pay 300 pesos for whale watching and 500 pesos for a swim with the whale shark. The 500 pesos fee already includes the life vest and snorkeling gear. You can also rent an underwater camera worth of 500 pesos with unlimited shots, they have cameraman to take pictures on while you enjoy swimming with the whale shark.

The location of this popular tourist attraction in the Philippines is at Natalio Bacalso, Tan-Awan Oslob Southern Part of Cebu.

From Cebu City, you have only to ride a bus going to Oslob at the South Bus Terminal.  Tell the conductor or driver to drop you off at Brgy. Tan-Awan in Oslob for the whale shark. It’s approximately a 3-hours ride from Cebu. Bus Fare (air-con) is Php 156. You will know that you already reach the Oslob whale shark attraction because you will see a signboard “Whale Shark Watching”.

You can only see or swim with the butanding is from 6:00 am to 12:30 pm because after this time they will move to another place or let say they will go home. Check our photos and I’m sure you will enjoy watching it. 🙂