Puerto Princesa: Swim with Whale Sharks Boat Cruise

Whale sharks turn a boat day into a story. This 6.5-hour trip from Puerto Princesa gives you a real chance to swim beside wild whale sharks, not animals kept in a tank or fed to guarantee a sighting. I like the crew’s close contact with local fishermen, which helps them search where sharks may be active, and I like that the outing includes hotel transport, snorkeling gear, and lunch. The catch is simple: wild animals set the schedule, so you could spend much of the day searching and still see no whale sharks.

I also like the ethical tone. The crew works with the animals’ natural movements and asks you to keep a respectful distance, rather than crowding or touching them. The boat ride can be long if the sharks are hard to locate, and sea conditions can cancel the trip. Still, for an animal encounter that puts nature first, this is one of Puerto Princesa’s more meaningful choices.

Key points at a glance

• Wild whale sharks, not a guaranteed show: Sightings depend on natural conditions, and the animals are not fed.
• Local information helps the search: The crew keeps in touch with local fishermen who share recent sightings.
• Several water entries are possible: One recent outing included about eight swims, while others saw two or five sharks.
• A full package for $60: Hotel pickup, boat transport, lunch, and mask, snorkel, and fins are included.
• A serious half-day commitment: The trip lasts 6.5 hours, and a slow search makes the day feel longer.
• Wildlife ethics matter here: You watch and swim beside the sharks without chasing, touching, or forcing contact.

Why this Puerto Princesa whale shark trip is different

Many animal activities promise a close encounter because the wildlife is fed or kept in a fixed area. This trip takes another route. The whale sharks live in the sea, and the crew searches for them using current local information, seabirds, and signs of fish activity.

That choice gives the experience more uncertainty, but it also gives it more meaning. If a whale shark appears, you are seeing a wild animal moving through its own environment. You cannot order one up like a cup of coffee. That is the bargain.

The experience has an average rating of 4.1 from 93 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew’s effort, the ethical approach, and the quality of the sightings. Several people saw more than one shark. One group saw two at the same time, another saw five, and one outing included repeated water entries.

But at least one person did not see a whale shark and still enjoyed the day. That is an important warning. Book this for the whole marine experience, not only for a guaranteed photograph.

From your Puerto Princesa hotel to Baywalk

Pickup is included from nine listed locations around Puerto Princesa. These include Citystate Asturias Hotel Palawan, FERSAL HOTEL Puerto Princesa, Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, Bea’s Garden Inn, Puerto Princesa International Airport, Sunlight Hotel Puerto Princesa, Palawan Uno Hotel, Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa, and Aziza Paradise Hotel.

You wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the arranged pickup time. The driver waits no longer than five minutes after that time, so do not treat the pickup window casually. Have your swimwear on or packed where you can reach it, and keep your identification handy. A card or copy is accepted.

The drive leads you to Baywalk, where the boat sets out. The transfers add real value to the $60 price because you do not have to arrange a separate ride to the meeting point. At the end of the day, you return to one of the same nine drop-off locations, including the airport.

If you are using this trip on your arrival or departure day, pay close attention to timing. The total activity lasts 6.5 hours, and wild sightings can extend the search within that time. A separate airport transfer may be wise if you have a flight later that day, but the provided information does not give a guaranteed arrival time.

The boat ride and the search for whale sharks

Once the boat leaves Baywalk, the search begins. This is not dead time. The crew scans the water and stays in contact with local fishermen who may know where whale sharks have recently been seen.

The search can feel exciting when the crew spots useful signs. One participant described watching for birds because fish gather below them, and fish can attract whale sharks. That gives you a glimpse of how the crew works rather than simply waiting for an animal to appear.

You should also prepare for quiet stretches. If the sharks are not found early, the day becomes a long ride and search. Aisling from Australia noted that the trip feels long when the animals are slow to appear. Bring patience, sunscreen, and a calm attitude. The sea is not a theater with a fixed curtain time.

Sea conditions are another practical concern. The trip can be canceled if conditions are unsafe. Since the sharks are wild and not fed, poor weather or changing water conditions can affect both the search and the quality of the swim.

Entering the water beside the world’s largest fish

When a whale shark is located, the crew helps you prepare for the water. A mask, snorkel, and fins are provided, and an English-speaking guide gives instructions on entering and keeping a respectful distance.

The key word is beside. You are there to watch the animal glide past, not grab a fin, block its path, or chase it for a better picture. The experience works best when you let the whale shark choose the direction and pace.

The size of these animals can be hard to grasp from photographs. In the water, the slow movement and broad body make the encounter feel calm rather than threatening. The crew’s job is partly to help you manage that first moment. One person praised the instructions for getting into the water, while others praised the boat positioning.

Sightings vary sharply. One outing had roughly eight separate swims. Another saw two large sharks. Another group watched five. Those repeated entries can make the trip worthwhile even if your first swim is brief.

Do not expect every water entry to be equally close or equally clear. The ocean changes, the shark changes direction, and other boats or swimmers may affect what you see. The supplied information does not specify group size or a fixed time in the water, so you should not assume a private encounter.

An ethical encounter with animals on their own terms

The strongest part of this experience is its attitude toward wildlife. The crew does not feed the whale sharks to bring them to a particular spot. That means the search may fail, but it avoids turning the animals into a scheduled attraction.

Several people specifically valued this approach. One described it as the most ethical way to find the sharks. Another appreciated that the trip happens on the whales’ terms. That is exactly the right expectation for you to carry.

An ethical encounter also changes your behavior. You may need to hold back instead of racing toward the animal. You may have a shorter view than you hoped. Yet the sighting feels more honest because the shark is not responding to bait or a routine.

The guides also teach you about the whale sharks and their role in the sea. The supplied details do not give a formal lesson plan, so I would expect practical information during the search and swim rather than a long classroom talk. The crew’s experience is most visible in its tracking, boat positioning, and water instructions.

Lunch, equipment, and the practical value of $60

The $60 price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat tour, a picnic lunch, and mask, snorkel, and fins. That is a useful bundle for a 6.5-hour outing. You are not paying only for a boat ride and hoping to sort out the rest yourself.

Food received good marks in several accounts. One person called the lunch delicious, another called it tasty, and another praised the dinner. The supplied details label it a picnic lunch, so you should think of it as a practical meal onboard rather than a restaurant service.

The gear also removes some planning. You do not need to rent basic snorkeling equipment separately. Still, bring swimwear, biodegradable sunscreen, and extra personal items you may need during a full day near the water. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested, which fits the trip’s wildlife-first approach.

At this price, the value depends on what you want. If you need a guaranteed whale shark sighting, $60 may feel expensive on a day when the search fails. If you value transport, food, equipment, crew support, and a responsible chance to see wild animals, the package is easier to justify.

What the strongest outings looked like

The best accounts share a few details. The crew kept searching, positioned the boat well, and made repeated attempts when sharks were found. Some outings included two sharks together, and one included five. Dolphins also appeared on one trip and played near the front of the boat for a while.

That dolphin sighting should be treated as a bonus, not part of the promise. The core activity is the whale shark search, and even that cannot be guaranteed.

The crew’s attitude receives the most consistent praise. People describe the staff as kind, energetic, passionate, and skilled at finding the sharks. One person also praised communication before the trip, which matters when pickup times and hotel details need to be clear.

You should remember that positive sightings do not erase the risk of a blank day. One person saw no whale sharks but still enjoyed the group and the experience. That is a useful reminder to judge the trip by its ethics, crew effort, and time on the water, not just by the number of animals in your photographs.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this trip to you if you are comfortable with uncertainty and care about seeing animals in a natural setting. It suits people who want a full marine outing rather than a quick photo stop.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a package with hotel transport, food, and equipment already handled. Families with older children may appreciate the simple arrangement, but babies under one year are not permitted. The activity is conducted in English.

You should think twice if you dislike long boat rides, have little patience for searching, or need a firm end time. The trip may be canceled because of sea conditions, and no sighting is promised. Those are not minor footnotes. They shape the entire day.

Tips for making the most of the 6.5 hours

Wear or pack swimwear before pickup, and keep your identification available. Put on sunscreen before leaving, then bring biodegradable sunscreen for later use.

Arrive in the lobby early. The five-minute driver wait limit means a late start can cost you the transfer. Also keep your expectations flexible. The crew may search for a while before the first sighting, and a slow start does not mean the day is lost.

Listen closely to the water instructions. The safest and most respectful view usually comes from allowing the shark to pass rather than trying to move toward it. If you get several chances, use the first one to settle your breathing and the next to watch the animal more carefully.

Bring a willingness to enjoy the boat ride itself. Fish, birds, dolphins, and changing sea conditions are part of the day, even though they are not guaranteed. That mindset will help you have a good outing even if the whale sharks remain out of sight.

Should you book the Puerto Princesa whale shark cruise?

Book it if you want a serious attempt to see wild whale sharks and you accept that nature may say no. The combination of local sighting information, repeated search efforts, English-speaking guides, lunch, snorkeling gear, and hotel transfers makes $60 a fair price for a full half-day.

I especially like the no-feeding policy and the crew’s effort to keep the encounter respectful. You may see two sharks, five sharks, or none. If you can accept that range, this is a worthwhile Puerto Princesa experience. If a guaranteed sighting is essential, choose an activity with clearer certainty instead.

FAQ

Where does the whale shark boat trip begin?

The boat sets out from Baywalk in Puerto Princesa.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts 6.5 hours.

What is included in the price?

The $60 price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat tour, a picnic lunch, and a mask, snorkel, and fins.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is available from nine listed hotels and Puerto Princesa International Airport.

Which hotels have pickup service?

Pickup is listed at Citystate Asturias Hotel Palawan, FERSAL HOTEL Puerto Princesa, Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, Bea’s Garden Inn, Puerto Princesa International Airport, Sunlight Hotel Puerto Princesa, Palawan Uno Hotel, Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa, and Aziza Paradise Hotel.

Are whale shark sightings guaranteed?

No. The whale sharks are wild, are not fed, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The trip may be canceled due to sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, and fins are provided onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, and an identification card. A copy of the identification card is accepted.

Is the tour suitable for babies?

No. Babies under one year are not permitted.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

How early should I wait for pickup?

Wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Drivers wait no longer than five minutes after the scheduled pickup time.