Pintuyan Whale Shark Interaction Area

Open water off the southern end of Panaon Island. Boats leave from Pintuyan with a licensed guide and two spotters. Seas can be choppy and the sharks move faster than most snorkellers.

Depth

0–5m

Current

Mild

Diver level

Open water

Entry

Boat

Unique features

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

Sources & last checked

Checked August 2026

This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.

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.