Swimming with whale sharks, an experience never to forget!!!

Back in 2015 I was traveling for 1 month on my own at the Philippines. One of the most vivid memory's of that vacation is my encounter with the whale sharks. The biggest living thing I have ever seen.

I was at Legazpi to climbe the famous Mayon volcano and my hostel offered a whale shark trip at the close by town Donsol. I never heard before of whale sharks so I decided to go have a look for myself but it was a bet, the season is from November to June and I it was already June.

I got to take 3 different Jeepney's to get in Donsol and found a resort offering a couple of cheap backpacker rooms next to the harbour where I bought a ticket to go whale shark searching (or butanding) the next day.
I got up early in the morning and after an explanation and video about the sharks and the ways locals try to protect them we got in a boat with 6 other tourist.

The small fisher boats sail around with a lookout at the front in the hope to see the shadow of a whale shark while they are feeding. When they spot one, they try to get in front of it and you get the order to jump and follow the snorkel guide.

Day 1 of butanding was a disappointment. We only encountered 1 whale shark and by the time we were in the water we only saw the white dots deep under us.

I decided to stay 1 more day and give it another try. I set my alarm early in the morning, watched the video again and of we went. After about 2 hours of nothing, suddenly the boat started shaking when the engine went full gas. My hart started beating and I nervously put my snorkeling gear on. We jumped, followed the guide but nothing. And then, all of a sudden, this huge whale shark with its mouth wide open was coming straight at me. I can't describe the excitement and adrenaline shot I felt.
The shark swam right under me and it seemed endless head to tail. I tried to follow but I could only keep up for a minute because it swims quite fast.

The next half hour we had 3 more encounters. During one of the encounters I managed to free dive and snorkel for a couple minutes next to it and the shark turned 90 ° so I could see its belly and I could see the mount open while feeding. It was so close I could touch it if I wanted.

I didn't have an underwater cam back then so the pics above are taken by a friendly Scottish girl who was on the boat with me.