Donsol

Donsol is a coastal town in Sorsogon at the southern tip of Luzon, transformed by the seasonal gathering of whale sharks in its plankton-rich waters. It pioneered community-based, regulated whale-shark interaction in the Philippines, built around snorkelling rather than feeding.

The main event is snorkelling with whale sharks. From roughly December to May, and peaking February to April, plankton blooms draw whale sharks to feed near the surface in Donsol Bay. Interactions are by snorkel only, in shallow water, following strict rules on numbers and distance to protect the animals; divers and swimmers slip in as spotters guide the boat alongside a feeding shark. Visibility is often low — sometimes only a few metres — precisely because the water is so rich in the plankton that attracts the sharks.

There is scuba diving too, at nearby Manta Bowl. A short boat ride away, this current-swept cleaning station in 20–30 metres draws reef manta rays, devil rays and sometimes thresher sharks. The strong current makes it an Advanced-level drift dive, distinct from the beginner-friendly whale-shark snorkelling. Water stays a warm 27–30°C, so exposure protection is light.

Donsol is an affordable, community-run destination. Simple guesthouses and homestays line the shore, and the regulated interaction fees support conservation and local livelihoods. It is reached by road from Legazpi, itself served by domestic flights. The season runs December to May, with the best whale-shark odds from February to April. Donsol suits travellers who want a responsible, snorkel-based encounter with the ocean's largest fish. Once a quiet fishing town, Donsol built its economy around protecting the sharks rather than hunting them, a model since copied across the region.