Best Liveaboard Destinations for Whale Sharks

Updated August 27, 2022

This is the fiftieth in a series that introduces and describes the various dive services and sites for worldwide liveaboard dive safaris.  This one focuses on the best liveaboard destinations for whale sharks.   For other “Best” reviews of liveaboards and destinations, go to “Best Liveaboards & Destinations Lists” on the top menu.

Have you ever been diving in any of the locations described below?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What liveaboard did you use?  How was the diving?  Were the services and accommodations good?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

With their size and gentle nature, there is no more fascinating creature in the sea for many divers.  They have a wide range but there are not many places where you can reliably find them, and when you do will offer you an opportunity for more than a glimpse. Here we have put together an introduction of sites where you can probably get a chance to not only see them, but be able to swim with them at the surface, and quite possibly at depth.  What could be more inspiring than that!  These sites also have the benefit of offering a rich contingent of peripheral marine life to make your experience all the richer.

Best Liveaboard Destinations for Whale Sharks 

• Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
• Galapagos
• Seychelles
• South Ari Atoll, Maldives
• Madagascar
• Sea of Cortez, Mexico
• Ningaloo Reef, Australia
• Bay Islands, Honduras

Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia

Whale sharks live in Cenderawasih Bay year-round where they often congregate around fishing platforms and nets feeding on small fish dispersed by the fishermen or congregating there.  Liveaboards drop divers nearby where they have the amazing opportunity to be surrounded by adults and juveniles that have no fear of getting up close and personal.

The reefs are diverse with a variety of muck critters, reef tropicals, turtles, dolphins, sharks, and the rare possibility of finding a dugong near the mangroves.  During WWII Japanese and Allied bases were nearby on opposite sides just outside the bay, with numerous battles taking place in the bay that left a number of intriguing Japanese and American ship and plane wrecks to explore.

It is possible to have a strong current in some areas and with opportunities to dive fairly deep and to penetrate wrecks, Cenderawasih is a place for experienced divers.

Opportunities for diving without doing it from a liveaboard are extremely limited, so dive sites will not be busy.  Numerous liveaboards do dive the region, though, from July to September and are capable of providing advanced and technical support and scuba diving courses.

• Dive Season:  July to September (whale sharks are there year-round)
• Skill Level:  intermediate to advanced (advanced open water recommended for wrecks, and deep sites with current)
• Water Temperature:  81-86°F (27-30°C)
• Visibility:  33-100 feet (10-30 meters)

For a review of Cenderawasih liveaboards and diving, check out this post:

• Best Cenderawasih Bay Diving Liveaboard

Check the Price & Details on Cenderawasih Liveaboards

Galapagos

With great biodiversity around its volcanic terrain, the Galapagos Islands is the go-to liveaboard destination to find the most megafauna species in the world.  Manta rays, numerous shark species, sea lions, Mola Mola, penguins, game fish, dolphins, iguanas, and more, including whale sharks.

In the dry season, there is a plankton bloom from June through November that draws them to several locations in the Galapagos including the iconic Darwin’s Arch.  This is distant from the local settlements and is best reached on a liveaboard.

With strong currents and possible surface chop, many sites are suitable for experienced divers.  There are at least 32 liveaboard yachts cruising the Galapagos for scuba diving that are usually pricy but offer high levels of service and support for photography and technical diving.

• Dive Season:  year-round (whale sharks come in numbers from June through November)
• Skill Level:  intermediate to advanced (minimum of advanced open water recommended)
• Water Temperature:  71-77° F (22-25° C), lows in the dry season in June-December
• Visibility:  33-70 feet (10-21 meters), it can be lower, especially during the plankton blooms

For reviews of the Galapagos Island liveaboards and diving, check out these posts:

• Best Galapagos Liveaboard Dive Trips Described, Reviewed & Compared
• Scuba Diving in the Galapagos Islands

Check the Price & Details on Galapagos Islands Liveaboards

Seychelles

The 115 islands of Seychelles are situated below the equator 300 miles (480 kilometers) off the east coast of Africa.  The warm climate and rich tropical reef on a subsea granite-based foundation are mostly suitable for beginner to intermediate level divers.  The corals are not as rich as in many Southeast Asian areas but the reef is pristine and supports a diverse marine life of macro critters, reef tropicals, turtles, reef, hammerhead, and bull sharks, stingrays, manta and eagle rays, pelagics like swordfish and marlin, and whale sharks.

The numerous whale sharks that come in October and November are frequently seen between the main island of Mahe and Silhouette Island.

Four well outfitted liveaboard yachts cruise the Seychelles year-round for scuba diving.  They are in the low to mid-budget range and make numerous stops on the islands to see the local wildlife and scenery and participate in the lifestyle if for only a bit.

• Dive Season:  year-round (the best season for whale sharks is October and November)
• Skill Level:  beginner to advanced
• Water Temperature:  78-84°F (26-29°C)
• Visibility:  65-100 feet (20-30 meters)

For reviews of Seychelles liveaboards and diving, check out this post:

• Scuba Diving the Seychelles – Liveaboards

Check the Price & Details on Seychelles Liveaboards

South Ari Atoll, Maldives

Ari Atoll, one of the most popular dive sites among the 1,190 coral atolls and islands of the Maldives, is centrally located and renowned for manta rays and whale sharks.

On the south side where there can be strong currents are sites like Broken Rock, a split pinnacle topping at 40 feet (12 meters) where numerous migratory whale sharks come for feeding during the dry northeast monsoon season from December through May.  There are, however, whale shark sightings year-round.

There is great biodiversity and fantastic marine life around the Maldives year-round for divers of all levels that is great for macro and wide-angle photography.

The Maldives is served by a fleet of at least 39 liveaboard yachts from bargain to luxury levels.  They tend to be very well outfitted with most using a large comfortable dhona support craft to put divers on the dive sites.

• Dive Season:  mantas year-round (best season from December through May)
• Skill Level:  beginner to advanced
• Water Temperature:  80-86°F (26-30°C)
• Visibility:  50-100 feet (15-30 meters)

For reviews of Maldives liveaboards and diving, check out these posts:

• Best Scuba Diving Maldives Islands Liveaboards
• Best Scuba Diving Maldives Islands

Check the Price & Details on Maldives Liveaboards

Madagascar

The liveaboard yachts cruising Madagascar focus on Nosy Be near the northwest tip on the Mozambique Channel.  The two itineraries run from Nosy Be to the 5 main islands of the Mitsio Archipelago to the north or to the Radames Archipelago with 4 main islands to the south.  The sites can be characterized as having clear water and diverse reefs on basalt rock formations.  There are lots of sea fans and plate corals, diverse reef life of macro critters, reef tropicals, giant groupers, whitetip reef, and hammerhead sharks, hawksbill and green turtles, manta and devil rays, dolphins, humpback and Omura’s whales from October to December, and whale sharks.

Migratory whale sharks are most prevalent from September through December during the season of a plankton bloom in the area around Nosy Be.

Strong current is possible on some sites but there is diving suitable for all levels.

There are two liveaboard yachts, one diving from March through January and the other for a much shorter season.  They make numerous stops on islands and at local villages to admire nature and get in touch with the local culture a bit.

• Dive Season:  year-round (the best season for whale sharks is September through December)
• Skill Level:  beginner to advanced
• Water Temperature:  75-84°F (24-29°C)
• Visibility:  usually around 100 feet (30 meters)

For reviews of Madagascar liveaboards and diving, check out this post:

• Best Scuba Diving Madagascar Liveaboards

Check the Price & Details on Madagascar Liveaboards

Sea of Cortez, Mexico

The marine life in the Sea of Cortez is diverse with a range of megafauna including dolphins, sea lions, manta rays, pelagic gamefish, and a variety of whales and sharks, including whale sharks.

The Sea of Cortez covers a large area from north to south with highlight dive sites running from the Midriff Islands to Loreto, La Paz, and Cabo Pulmo at the tip. On the tip outside the bay, the diving continues to San Jose and on to Cabo San Lucas.  Whale sharks can be seen frequently on the surface and sometimes at middle depths.  Each location has a season for them more particular to the location but generally speaking whale shark sightings happen year-round.

The two liveaboards cruising the Sea of Cortez are there from July through October and spend the rest of the year in the Socorro Islands.  Most focus on the Midriff Islands and a few make the trip all the way from Puerto Penasco to San Jose del Cabo providing the chance to take in highlight areas around La Paz and Cabo Pulmo.  Both vessels are excellent with one a little more comfortable than the other, which is reflected in the price.

Current can be strong and surface conditions rough, so care needs to be taken not to exceed personal skill levels but there are sites suitable for all levels.

• Dive Season:  whale sharks are there year-round
• Skill Level:  beginner to advanced
• Water Temperature:  75-84°F (24-29°C)
• Visibility: 30-100 feet (9-30 meters) with the plankton bloom in the winter moving it toward the bottom of the range, most of the year visibility is 50 feet (15 meters) or better.

For reviews of Sea of Cortez liveaboards and diving, check out these posts:

• Scuba Diving the Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands Liveaboards
• Scuba Diving Loreto Mexico
• Scuba Diving Cabo Pulmo Mexico
• Scuba Diving La Paz Mexico
• Scuba Diving Caba San Lucas Mexico

Check the Price & Details on Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands Liveaboards

Ningaloo Reef, Australia

Set in Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef is pristine and part of a protected marine park, located off Exmouth between Perth and Broome.  There is a diverse fringing reef with intriguing macro critters like weedy sea dragons, a variety of reef tropicals, and megafauna including wobbegongs, reef sharks, stingrays, mantas, several species of turtle, dolphins, humpback whales, dugongs, and wait for it, whale sharks.  From March through July a large population of migratory whale sharks influenced by plankton blooms and the Leeuwin current travels to Ningaloo Reef.

There is one liveaboard yacht, a 10-passenger catamaran, that runs cruises from 5-9 days for scuba divers all year except January.  This same boat intersperses 3-day snorkeling cruises into their schedule.  This is practically the only chance to dive with whale sharks in Western Australia.  There is a one month liveaboard season in the very exciting Rowley Shoals to the north, as well, on the Odyssey, another vessel.

With most dive sites in the 70-foot (21-meter) range and relatively mild current and sea conditions, diving is suitable for all levels of diver.

The single liveaboard yacht cruises Ningaloo Reef year-round interspersing short snorkeling trips with scuba diving trips.

• Dive Season:  year-round (whale sharks are common from March through July)
• Skill Level:  beginner to advanced
• Water Temperature:  66-82°F (19-28°C)
• Visibility: 16-100 feet (5-30 meters)

For reviews of Ningaloo Reef and Austalia liveaboard, check out these posts:

• Scuba Diving Western Australia Ningaloo Reef Liveaboard
• Best Scuba Diving Australia Liveaboards

Check the Price & Details on Ningaloo Reef Liveaboards

Bay Islands, Honduras

The Bay Islands of Honduras made up of the big island of Roatan, Guanaja, Cayos Cochinos, and Utila are the best location in the Caribbean to see whale sharks on the surface and at depth.  Often feeding around pinnacles and submerged slopes, especially around Utila Island, they can be seen year-round.

The islands have beautiful reefs and wrecks to explore.  Many of the whale shark sites near deep water also play host to eagle rays, sharks, and dolphins.

Roatan is well developed as a tourist area but trips to the other islands are not often made by local operators making a liveaboard the best way to see the more remote sites in comfortable circumstances without a load of traffic on the reef.

The only liveaboard cruising the Bay Islands is a very reasonably priced full-service member of the Aggressor fleet.

With calm conditions all year, diving is suitable for all levels including those who would like to take the open water certification.  Scuba courses are available onboard.

• Dive Season:  year-round (whale sharks are most common from the end of March through April and from October through December)
• Skill Level:  beginner to advanced
• Water Temperature:  81-84°F (27-29°C)
• Visibility: usually around 100 feet (30 meters)

For a review of Bay Islands, Honduras liveaboards and diving, check out this post:

• Best Roatan Honduras Scuba Diving Liveaboards

Check the Price and Details on Bay Islands Liveaboards

Photography

To take full advantage of the wide-angle photographic opportunities on a whale shark liveaboard, the PADI Digital Underwater Photography specialty course is recommended.  For information and reviews of diving cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed

Liveaboard Comparisons

If you have interest in further comparisons and reviews of liveaboards, please check out these posts:

• Best Liveaboard Destinations For Underwater Photography
• Best Liveaboard Destinations For Manta Rays
• Best Liveaboard Destinations For Macro Diving
• Best Liveaboard Destinations For Diving With Sharks
• Best Liveaboard Destinations For Advanced Divers
• Best Liveaboard Destinations For Beginners
• Best Liveaboard Dive Boats (Short Trips)
• Best Liveaboard Dive Boats (Low Budget)
• Best Liveaboard Dive Boats (Luxury)

Last Minute Liveaboard Deals & Special Offers

For greatly reduced pricing on special offers for a broad range of liveaboards in 17 countries around the world, please check out this post:

• Last Minute Liveaboard Deals & Special Offers

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and give scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on the best liveaboard destinations for whale sharks interesting and useful.  If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<