It’s the biggest fish in the sea, has one of the most charismatic appearances, and is also one of the most threatened… it’s the beloved whale shark!

With ecotourism on the rise globally, it is now pertinent more than ever to take the necessary precautions in whale (shark) watching. Here are the top tips from several ecotourism agencies…

1. LOOK… but don’t touch!

   Whale sharks are an incredibly threatened and shy species, and when approached in an aggressive manner or even touched, they tend to dive deep and avoid confrontation. So please, for the sake of your fellow sightseers, don’t touch!

2. Watch that flash!

   It isn’t well studied how flash photography impacts different underwater species, so we must err on the side of caution. Watch the flash photography and take special care not to blind or otherwise disorient these gentle giants.

3. Keep the noise to a minimum

   Just as with touch, whale sharks are very sensitive to sound. We know that sound travels at least 4 times faster in water than on land, and that noise can spook our big boned friends. When swimming towards whale sharks, take care not to splash too much, and watch where those fins kick!

Have you dove with whale sharks before? Let us know where!