Oslob Whale Shark Watching Private Tour: An Honest Review

Going to see whale sharks is a big deal for a lot of people, and that’s totally reasonable, so picking the perfect way to experience it becomes seriously important. A private tour to watch whale sharks in Oslob sounds really appealing, right? It almost makes it sound like it’ll get you a more personal and relaxed viewing. But, as with anything, the experience can really swing based on who you choose to book with, what time of year it is, and really, how much you prepare before you go.

What’s the Hype About Oslob Whale Shark Watching?

You know, whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean – super gentle creatures, that tend to glide through the water. Oslob, a small town in Cebu, has gotten pretty famous because these gentle giants reliably show up close to the shore. I guess what happened is that local fishermen started feeding them, and now they’re basically always around, very reliably. It might be a controversial thing to some, but that makes it easy and almost guaranteed for visitors to see them. I’m not too sure how to feel about that, though, it might be changing their habits. It’s almost become a huge tourist draw; actually people from all over visit so they can get the opportunity to swim alongside these amazing animals.

What makes this place special, actually, is how close you can get. Other places might have whale shark encounters, sure, but Oslob allows you to be right there with them, like actually in the water and a few feet away. I think that’s what has people interested in this place so much. Private tours, you see, give a more personal touch, that is, when you want a little distance from the crowds or would rather have your group’s thing together. These trips frequently sort of handle all the things like transport, permits, and gear, so you can focus entirely on your whale shark swim.

Booking Your Private Tour: Things to Think About

Okay, so getting your tour locked in, so that you have a better chance to find someone that’s really good and gets back to you pretty quick, might take some doing. Start your research pretty early on, or I think things get pretty frustrating, almost. Read reviews, very meticulously. Look for consistent praise of some things, like how good their customer service is, how well they’re sticking to the itinerary they’re offering, and basically, how professional their guides tend to be. Price definitely comes into it, but really, you need to balance that against what other folks are reporting about their experiences, to get an impression that seems good enough, or at least acceptable to you.

A legit tour company really tends to lay everything out for you, transparently. That almost covers all your bases by being specific on what you should be paying for permits, any gear rentals, that sort of thing; meals too it’s a pretty nice bonus. Any company hiding the cost or being super obscure about what’s included almost tends to be sketchy. Make sure to clarify all this, too, right when you book, like so that you’re not getting surprised by extra fees on the day, okay? Also, you might look for groups that are leaning towards ethical tourism. In other words, see if the tour guides emphasize following regulations for tourists getting near whale sharks, actually, like not getting too close, no flash photography, and other tips. I am not so sure, but ethical operators very seem to think their goal isn’t only on tourist satisfaction, but mostly about taking good care of the creatures.

What Happens on the Day: An Example Timeline

Most private tours will typically begin really, really early in the morning, too it’s all aimed at missing the worst of the crowds that tend to be there later in the day. Plan to maybe wake up super early so your transportation comes to grab you directly from your hotel in Cebu City, so they say that the drive south takes around 3 to 4 hours, roughly.

When you show up in Oslob, actually, you’ll likely get a briefing. Someone goes through things you really need to consider and to do’s. This typically includes: guidelines to follow when you are near the whale sharks, info about their conservation and general stuff too. I assume a few tours give some cultural stuff too, related to Cebu, that would be very helpful and that would teach people to love Cebu more. A short boat ride comes next. Actually the boats do go a little way offshore where all the whale sharks have turned into a usual thing because they are being fed.

Then, comes the swimming time! Typically you might get 30 minutes to an hour in the water. Remember to keep a polite distance, so please do not actually reach out and touch the whale sharks and follow all given instructions. The guides who come with you could be of help, you might like your time getting good photos. This will ensure your experience would be something special to cherish.

Following your time with the whale sharks, it’s rather likely many tours would provide more activities, for instance: exploring nearby waterfalls, seeing the historic church of Oslob, or chilling somewhere on a beach. Following which, too, it is back on that van, getting set for getting back again to the hotel you came from. Expect to become totally spent at the conclusion of the afternoon following a really full day.

Is a Private Tour Actually Worth It?

So, are these private whale shark watching tours a fair value for the price? If one wants something really personal and that is designed just how they want it to be, then yeah, maybe, a private tour is worth shelling out more for. If one wants just everything being totally hands-off so they can mostly have fun or have a more individual kind of setting for groups with distinct needs, it might then work very well.

Think too it’s a public tour versus doing a solo experience. General tours come at a per-person basis that may be appealing should you be journeying yourself or want to have costs trimmed off some, that is. But it’s too bad that general groups get busy frequently that could subtract out things too it’s a perfect experience that one dreams about always.

Ethical Whale Shark Tourism: Why It’s Important

Alright, but beyond convenience there has been the biggie issue hovering there relating to these tourism excursions: what consequences these carry along too it’s nature? Ethical ecotourism implies putting first what nature needs ahead of financial incentives by people in business.

Keep distance while you swim, never chase them, and by no means ever touch these sea giants, are among the ethical regulations made up. Do you ever pick out excursions encouraging close contact as well as flash pictures as these practices add levels relating to these gentle species’ stress? The Philippines implemented practices for overseeing all tourist business together near these animal types – picking tours adhering directly against best measures might make ones contribution by securing most magnificent underwater resident’s ongoing safekeeping.

Other Things to Consider

Before you pack things, that is, see whether to bring your personal equipment that you will feel more at ease making use of throughout swimming. If it’s rented, double verify if the things happen that were kept sanitized well before doing all things together too it’s sea water!

It’s wise bringing sunscreen too yet ensure what you carry stays labeled free of compounds potentially damaging seas along as the oils within several lotions might be awful bad directly at water reserves. Slather beforehand when getting into those waters too then prevent re-doing so as getting within what sharks love residing inside too already that may make them contaminated eventually – respect its delicate ecosystems first continuously guys!

Oh, don’t forget to bring like an underwater camera. Not too sure about the tour group providing some that is usable down somewhere or to capture anything that really comes with very impressive definition under there? Then make absolutely that any equipment has batteries at one charge ready at anytime!