There’s something unforgettable about swimming alongside a whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Despite being the largest fish in the ocean, they are calm, slow-moving, and completely uninterested in humans, which makes the experience even more fascinating.

I’ve had the chance to see whale sharks in two very different settings: Isla Mujeres, Mexico and Oslob, Cebu in the Philippines.

In Mexico, I was working in Playa del Carmen with Phantom Divers, where I exchanged a few months of work for my Divemaster course. The owner Jorge “Chino” Loria invited me on a special trip to see the whale sharks off Isla Mujeres with Alberto Friscione from Solo Buceo and some of their friends. We left at 4 a.m. and were the first boat out on the water. For nearly two hours, we had the place to ourselves, just a handful of us and dozens of whale sharks slowly cruising at the surface. It was quiet, unhurried, and absolutely worth the early start. As more boats arrived, we made our way back, glad we had the chance to see them without the crowds.

Some years later, I saw whale sharks again in Oslob, Cebu, during a trip with my husband Daniel Norwood. We were staying at Atmosphere Resort and decided to check it out for ourselves. Although Oslob is often discussed in the context of marine tourism ethics, we found the experience to be structured, informative, and run with a level of respect for the animals. It was very different from the wild encounter in Mexico, but still impressive to see these animals up close and learn more about the local efforts to balance tourism and education.

Whale sharks are impressive animals, huge, quiet, and unlike anything else in the ocean. I feel fortunate to have seen them in two very different contexts, both offering a valuable perspective on how humans interact with marine life.