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Whale shark · Season

Which months to see whale sharks

Operators stating a season 42Year-round 30Countries 14Sourced 1Published prices 55
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About this list

Whale shark seasons differ by country, and even within one country operators give different months. Maptlantis took the 42 operators that name the whale shark as a target species and state their program season in months, and counted those months as written. The 30 that only say year-round are counted separately. The months most operators name are year-round. The countries with the most operators are Mexico (Jul–Apr), Maldives (year-round), Philippines (Nov–May) and Australia (Mar–Oct). 55 of the 67 operators (82%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. The months are the operating periods operators state, not a promise that the animals will appear. No wildlife program can guarantee an encounter, and even within the same month it depends on the sea and migration routes.

Whale shark season by country

The darker a cell, the more of that country's operators name the month as their season. A ringed cell is a month operators single out as the peak. Operators that only say year-round are not counted; their number is shown next to the country.

Whale shark season: operators by country and month
CountryJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mexico12 operators
Maldives6 operators · year-round 15
Philippines6 operators · year-round 11
Australia5 operators
Indonesia3 operators
Mozambique3 operators · year-round 2
Djibouti2 operators
Belize1 operator
Egypt1 operator
Madagascar1 operator
Saint Helena1 operator
Tanzania1 operator

Sourced whale shark seasons

Seasons stated by tourism boards, research bodies and local operators. Each entry has a source link and a check date, and none is mixed into the operator counts above. An entry with a region name is a source about that region, so it is not used as the whole country's season.

Whale shark season in Khao Lak & the Similan Islands, Thailand

Nov–Apr

  1. JanJanuary: in season, singled out
  2. FebFebruary: in season, singled out
  3. MarMarch: in season, singled out
  4. AprApril: in season
  5. MayMay: not in season
  6. JunJune: not in season
  7. JulJuly: not in season
  8. AugAugust: not in season
  9. SepSeptember: not in season
  10. OctOctober: not in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: in season

Months the source singles out: Jan–Mar

The whale shark season at the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock runs from November to April, with the peak from January to March. It overlaps with the months the national park is open.

Source: Similan Dive Center · Similan Islands Whale Shark Season · checked Sep 14, 2026

Seasons as operators wrote them

The table above counts the months read from these listings. The original wording sits next to each one so you can check the reading.

  • Silver Shark AdventuresMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    8월–11월

    Aug–Nov
  • Baja Adventure Co.Mexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    10월–4월 · 당국 개장일 우선 · 10월–4월 · 해황·허가별

    Oct–Apr
  • Baja Charters — Whale Shark & Sea Lion EncounterMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    10월–4월 · 허가·항구 개방별

    Oct–Apr
  • Baja ExpeditionsMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    7–10월

    Jul–Oct
  • Dive in La PazMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    통상 10–4월 · 허가·출현 의존

    Oct–Apr
  • The Cortez ClubMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    고래상어 10월 1일–5월 31일 · 10월 1일–5월 31일

    Oct–May
  • Mexico Liveaboards · Rocio del MarMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    레비야히헤도 11–5월 · 미드리프 제도 7–9월 · 바하 탐사 9–10월

    Jul–May
  • Nautilus Liveaboards MexicoMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    11월–7월

    Nov–Jul
  • Whale Shark MexicoMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    10–4월 · 지원·선발 및 시작일 문의

    Oct–Apr
  • AquanautsMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    여름 시즌 · 공식 제목 7월1일–9월15일 · 실제 출항일 문의

    Jul–Sep
  • Manta Dive & Snorkel CancunMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    6–8월 · 다음 시즌 출항일 문의

    Jun–Aug
  • Xico Dive CenterMexico
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    6월1일–9월17일 · 매월30일 미운영 · 해황 조건부

    Jun–Sep
  • Coral Dive, Excursions & Watersports · OUTRIGGER MaafushivaruMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 가능 · 일반적 집중 8–11월

    Aug–Nov
  • Ocean Dive Centre · Radisson Blu Resort MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 대집단 12–4월 · 주간 일정·출현별

    Dec–Apr
  • Carpe Diem MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    7–9월 · 남서계절풍·해황·출현별 · 1–4월 · 북동계절풍·출항표·해황별

    Jul–Sep
  • Emperor Maldives LiveaboardsMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    4–7월 요청 출항 · 해황·출현별 · 12–3월 · 출항표·조류·해황별

    Apr–Jul
  • Maldives Aggressor IIMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 출항 · 만타 5~11월 강세 · 고래상어 4~5월·10~11월 가능성 안내

    Apr–Nov
  • Maldives MasterMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    2027년 5–12월 출항 공개

    May–Dec
  • S2 CLUB Cebu StorePhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    운영사 월별 고정 시즌 미게시 · Cebu 관광 목적지 안내의 12월–5월 잔잔한 해황은 출현 보장이나 S2 출발월이 아님

    Dec–May
  • SiDive MactanPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    권장 12월–5월 · 현장 지정 운영시간·해황·야생동물 출현별

    Dec–May
  • 1derful Oslob Cebu Travel & ToursPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 12–5월 여행 적기

    Dec–May
  • Bicol Dive Center · Donsol OfficePhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    공식 목적지 안내 11–6월 · 관찰 피크 2–5월 · 해황·출현별

    Nov–Jun
  • Padre Burgos Castle ResortPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    11월 초–5월 말 · 출현에 따라 조기 종료 가능

    Nov–May
  • Sogod Bay Scuba ResortPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    보통 11월–5월 말 · 목격 보장 없음

    Nov–May
  • Coral Bay EcotoursAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    만타 연중 · 고래상어 3–7월 · 혹등고래 7–10월

    Mar–Oct
  • Kings Ningaloo Reef ToursAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    4–7월 · 8–9월

    Apr–Jul
  • Live NingalooAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    고래상어 3–8월 · Life on Ningaloo 8–10월

    Mar–Oct
  • Ocean Eco AdventuresAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    2027년3–7월

    Mar–Jul
  • Three Islands Whale Shark DiveAustralia
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    고래상어 3–10월 · 혹등고래 8–10월 중순

    Mar–Oct
  • Diversity ScubaMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    고래상어 최적기 10–3월/11–4월로 공식 문구 상충

    Oct–Apr
  • SEE Activity Center MozambiqueMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 야생동물 비보장 · Ocean Safari·다이빙 연중 · 혹등고래 6–9월(일부 관찰 10월 초까지)

    Jun–Oct
  • Maputo Dive CenterMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    10월–3월 · 6월–9월

    Oct–Mar
  • Dolphin Excursions DjiboutiDjibouti
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    11–1월 · ANT 허가·접근일·해황별 · 11–1월 · ANT 허가·해황별

    Nov–Jan
  • Massigo Travel — Djibouti Whale Shark TourDjibouti
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    11–2월

    Nov–Feb
  • Splash Dive Center BelizeBelize
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    공식 4–6월 창

    Apr–Jun
  • Madaplouf Diving Nosy BeMadagascar
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    3–12월 중심 · 크루즈 기상 조건부

    Mar–Dec
  • Sub-Tropic AdventuresSaint Helena
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    12–3월 운영사 주력 시즌 · 정부 자료상 11월–4/6월 출현, 1–2월 피크

    Jun, Dec–Mar
  • Big Blu Mafia Island Dive CentreTanzania
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    11월–3월

    Nov–Mar
  • Dive & Sail EllaidhooMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    공식 페이지상 연중 가능 · 해황·출현별

    Year-round
  • Euro-Divers LUX South Ari AtollMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황별

    Year-round
  • Euro-Divers VilamendhooMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황별

    Year-round
  • Fari Dive Center DhigurahMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황별

    Year-round
  • Island Divers DhigurahMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    공식 사이트상 연중 · 해황·출현별

    Year-round
  • Lily ProdiversMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황별

    Year-round
  • Nova AquaholicsMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 가능 · 해황·출현별 · 목격 비보장

    Year-round
  • OCEAN Dive Center · Conrad Maldives Rangali IslandMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 서식 권역 · 주간 일정·해황별

    Year-round
  • Ocean Pro MirihiMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 가능 · 출현 예측 어려움 · 목격 비보장

    Year-round
  • South Ari DiveMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 해황별

    Year-round
  • South Ari Sanctuary Dive CentreMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    고래상어 연중 표기 · 만타 시즌성 · 해황·야생 출현별

    Year-round
  • Sub Aqua Dive Center AngagaMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 가능 지역 · 해황·출현·최소 인원별

    Year-round
  • Aquaholics at Nova MaldivesMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 관찰 가능성 · 해황·야생 출현별

    Year-round
  • Maagau Dive CentreMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 가능 · 해황·출현별 · 목격 비보장

    Year-round
  • The Dive Squad · MaafushiMaldives
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 고래상어 일정·해황·야생 출현별

    Year-round
  • Mactan Scuba UniversityPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 예약 · 현지 운영·해황·출현별

    Year-round
  • Plantation Bay Water SportsPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 예약 · 현지 운영·해황·출현별

    Year-round
  • Purple Ocean DivePhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 운영 · 해황에 따라 출항 변경

    Year-round
  • Rainbow Dive ResortPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 운영 · 해황에 따라 출항 변경

    Year-round
  • Cebu Whale Shark ToursPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 현장·폭포 통제별

    Year-round
  • Deep Zone Dive CenterPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 예약 · 현지 운영·해황별

    Year-round
  • KawasanQuest Oslob TourPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 현장 통제별 · 오슬롭 고래상어 연중 오전 · 가와산 캐녀닝·도로·폭포는 강우·지방정부 통제별

    Year-round
  • Oslob Whale Shark Scuba DivingPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 현장 운영·기상별 · 연중 · Good Friday 휴무, 태풍·강풍·통제 시 중단

    Year-round
  • Oslob Whale Shark Watching · Island Trek ToursPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 오전 · 기상·현장 통제별

    Year-round
  • OslobTour.comPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 강풍·태풍·LGU 운영 중단 시 취소

    Year-round
  • Blue Orchid Dive ResortPhilippines
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 현장 운영·교통·해황별

    Year-round
  • Peri-Peri DiversMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 종별 계절성

    Year-round
  • Tofo ScubaMozambique
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 · 야생동물 비보장

    Year-round
  • Galápagos Below Ocean SchoolEcuador
    Operator's wording (Korean)

    연중 일정제 · 파크 허가·해황별

    Year-round

67 listed operatorsShowing the top 60

All 7 other listings

Operators not shown in the cards above. Select a name to open its page.

How to meet whale sharks

Whale sharks by country

Other marine life seasons

Frequently asked questions

When is the season for seeing whale sharks?

Combining the seasons of 42 operators, most fall in year-round. The table by country shows how many operators run in each month.

Which months are the whale shark peak season?

Among operators that name a peak, a high season or the most animals, it is Oct–Jun. Few operators say so, so treat it as a guide.

What does a year-round listing mean?

30 operators only say their program runs year-round. That means bookings are taken all year, not that the animals are there all year, so those listings are left out of the monthly count.

If I go in one of these months, will I see whale sharks?

That is not guaranteed. The months are when operators say they run programs; actual sightings vary from year to year with sea conditions, water temperature and migration. Ask the operator about recent sightings before you book.