Sogod Bay Whale Shark Grounds

Best time to dive

November to May; November to April

What you might see

• Whale sharkLikely

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Open Water

Snorkelling

Snorkel-friendly - Yes - snorkel ONLY; scuba diving with whale sharks explicitly prohibited by local ordinance

Safety notes

Jellyfish stings during plankton blooms (rashguard/wetsuit recommended); boat-traffic/prop-strike risk near surfaced sharks; risk of exhausting/harassing sharks if guide instructions not followed; long boat transit and remoteness; no sighting guarantee

Permits & fees

Sogod Bay Scuba Resort package ~PHP 3,750/person (own gear) inclusive of local interaction fees, guide, boat, light lunch, snorkel gear, minimum 6 people; Peter's Dive Resort ~PHP 3,750 (own gear)/PHP 4,000 (with rental). Note: a separate municipality-run 'Pintuyan Whale Shark Interaction' program exists with its own fee schedule

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte