Whale Shark

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known living fish species. Individuals reach extreme lengths (the largest reliably recorded measured 18.8 m) and the species is notable for being the most massive living non-cetacean animal. It is the only living species in the genus Rhincodon and the sole extant member of the family Rhincodontidae. Whale sharks feed by filtering seawater through specialized sieve-like gill pads and primarily consume plankton, krill, fish eggs, and small schooling fish such as sardines and anchovies, processing thousands of liters of water per hour. They are highly migratory, traveling long distances across tropical oceans to exploit seasonal food sources, and form large, predictable coastal feeding aggregations at certain sites. Despite their size, whale sharks are generally docile and are not considered a significant threat to humans. The species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List after an estimated population decline of more than 50% over the last 75 years, with primary threats including targeted fishing, bycatch, and ship strikes. Whale sharks inhabit open tropical waters, are rarely found below about 21 °C (70 °F), and have an estimated lifespan of roughly 80 to 130 years based on growth-band studies.

Listed as Endangered by the IUCN due to an estimated population decline of more than 50% over the past 75 years, primarily from targeted fishing, bycatch, and ship strikes.

Highly migratory, traveling long distances across tropical oceans to exploit seasonal food sources; form large, predictable coastal feeding aggregations at specific sites.

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Koh Tao, Mahé, Puerto Princesa + Tubbataha Gateway (Palawan) and countries such as Thailand, Seychelles, Maldives for divers building trips around whale sharks.