Dive site · access from Sogod Bay
Pintuyan Whale Shark Interaction Area
Open water off the southern end of Panaon Island.
- Depth
- 0–5m
- Current
- Mild
- Minimum level
- Open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- Snorkel-only whale-shark interaction; scuba with the sharks is prohibited by municipal ordinance
- Animals located by boat spotters and never fed or baited — one boat per shark, 3m minimum distance from the head and body
- Season set by the municipality, roughly mid-October to early June; sightings are not guaranteed
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Conditions can change. Confirm depth, current and access with a local operator.
Access and timing
Plan this through Sogod Bay
Best overall months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Sogod Bay
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Pintuyan Whale Shark Interaction Area.
Whale shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | peak season |
| February | peak season |
| March | peak season |
| April | peak season |
| May | occasional |
| June | rare |
| July | not seen |
| August | not seen |
| September | not seen |
| October | not seen |
| November | occasional |
| December | peak season |
Blue-ringed octopus
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Flamboyant cuttlefish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Hawksbill turtle
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Pygmy seahorse
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked August 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Whale Sharks Interaction, Pintuyan, Province of Southern Leyte (provincial government)
- Pintuyan Ends Whale Shark Interaction Season in Sogod Bay, Tourism to Resume in October, Daily Tribune
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.