Since beginning this trip I’ve been humbled by the amazing things I’ve seen, both above and below the water. This planet we live on has so much natural beauty to explore. In California I was able to dive in massive kelp forests, in Mexico with giant manta rays, and in Bora Bora with enormous Lemon Sharks. Something that had always eluded me was interaction with Whale Sharks. Not because I wasn’t looking for the opportunity, mostly because it’s just not that common.
How cute are these guys? (Bohol Tansiers)
So when we found ourselves only a days sail from Oslob in the Philippines I jumped at the chance. We left the Chocolate Hills and Tansiers behind and set sail south west, towards the big island of Cebu. Without much information and not wanting to pay the outrageous prices for a guided tour we decided to do it on our own. Using the GPS coordinates from Google Earth we sailed all day to Oslob. Oslob Whale Sharks are in Oslob right? Wrong. After a dinghy expedition to the beach through breaking waves and lot’s of blank stares from the fishing guys I finally got some better information. Apparently the Whale Sharks were not in Oslob, but in another village 10NM further south. Strange.
Delos safely moored at Sumilon Island.
With 10 miles to go and less than 2 hours of sunlight left it was going to be close. I hate anchoring in the dark. We motor sailed as fast as we could to Sumilon Island, and were directed by some friendly local dive guides to the only mooring on the island that could handle a yacht. With the twilight creeping in we were now moored in the lee of this tiny island. It turns out we hit the jackpot as these very friendly guys also gave us all the info needed to find the Whale Sharks.
It was such an amazing experience we decided to do it twice! I hope you enjoy the footage.
Definitely an awesome experience.
ReplyDeleteHi Guys,
ReplyDeleteI came across your Blog after seeing a video on YouTube, intrigued, I then started reading it from the beginning.
From day/post 1 I have had so many jealous moments, from the serene beauty of your shake down cruise to the mid Pacific atoll anchorage where you were surrounded by nothing but the blue of the ocean I have been in awe BUT this is the one that's tipped me over the edge!
Swimming with Whale Sharks - can it get any more impressive?
If you get fed up of the name DELOS (why should you!) you could always re-name your Yacht BUCKET LIST - as your ticking off so many of my own personal ones and no doubt many of most people who have a love of the sea.
Thanks.
Hopper