March 4th, 2012 
By Jervie David Montejar 
The Popular 'Butanding' Whale Shark Watching
This post might be a little late in terms online visits due to its popularity and the number of people (including other bloggers) that have spread the news and make a post of about (it even reach national television for that matter). But it was truly a very great experience even if many had came to the popular butanding (bisaya for whale shark) in Oslob, which is located in the far southern part of Cebu.
To get to Oslob by the way, you have to ride a Bus or a car(if can endure the long hours of travel/drive). Indeed it was a long ride to get there, from the City Proper (south bus terminal) to the Oslob province is a 3 hours travel time approximately. And it is also advisable to travel early in the morning for better spot and to avoid large crowds in the whale shark watching. The place really is not that difficult to find due to large trampolines and banners along the road (in Oslob proper).
Upon arrival you will be required to attend the seminar which is kinda good because we will be able to know the rules and guidelines in the Whale shark watching. Actually it was implemented by the Oslob municipality (the government actually just get involved in the business) has strict implementations to not harm the Whale Shark in the process or destroy its ecosystem (I think there are laws pertaining to that). It is actually to regulate those kinds of rules to control the activities and keep the Whale Sharks safe and sound but the downside is that the fee is higher than before :/
So there in the briefing section we were told to keep a distance to avoid any injuries to both (audience and whaleshark) and keep proper etiquette like not throwing any food, splashing near the sharks, don’t wear sunblock so that they will not be poisoned (really?) and ask permission when jumping out of the boat. We also paid 300 hundred pesos for the entrance fee including the the banca boat ride to the whale sharks. We also paid 50 pesos for the life vest (I actually don’t need one 
, but it is in their strict implementation). So there it is the briefing session before the actual ride.
You will ride the banca (small boat) to get to the whale sharks as they reside in the deep waters, maybe not that far , maybe about 500 meters from the shore. You will also go with the other banca boats with other whale shark watchers. There you will see about 2 -3 Whale Sharks near a Banca , actually they feed the whale sharks with something so that they will go near to the banca in order to get a better view for the visitors , you are also allowed to watch them closely by swimming near it but not too close.
Credit: www.oslobwhalesharks.com
It was really an amazing experience because it was my first time to get near a very big fish (whale shark) and not on a plate or something,haha.. Too bad I didn’t bring my cam on the actual boat riding because of safety issues of my cam (don’t have water protection) nevertheless the ambiance is very great for whale shark watching along with a good weather . Hope they will not abuse the popularity of the whale shark watching and ignore of the whale sharks safety and take advantage of tourist and visitors. Maybe have more control of some of crowds and tourist watching by following the rules and guidelines for the safety of both.
credits: rarusuchin for tourguide
last photo: www.oslobwhalesharks.com
Posted in 
Tags: 
It’s a nice experience kaso nakakatakot naman XD
OMG!!! That’s really coooool. Gusto ko din makalapit sa mga malalaking fish pero parang medyo scary. haha
Donna recently posted..Hello Braces!
“..We also paid 50 pesos for the life vest (I actually don’t need one..
” hmp.. Talio the swimmer jud.. and with smiley pa! :p
thanks for the credits Jerminix. pero baka isipin nila na that im 1 of the boat men hap.. hehe XD
hmm i think you’re not too late for a post. i think yours in more updated in terms of what it is now compared to before through your photos. there were a lot improvements of the place na, more mini stores(background of 3rd pic), and more crowded(4th pic) (@_@)
RarusuChin recently posted..I’ve been Featured in this Month’s Newspaper!・私が月刊のセブ島通信ペーパーに出た！
WOW!this is very cool!
safe ba?medyo nakakatakot naman!
I would love to try it thou <3
OMG That’s amazing! :O I want too pero I’m too scared of water. Hahaha. ><
trisha recently posted..ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS5 TUTORIAL
you should bring your cam next time! i would love to see your photos upclose! haha cool experience!
Wow! What a cool experience gusto ko din i-try pero parang nakakatakot, hehe.
Angie Vianzon recently posted..Your Secret is Safe with Me
I WANT THIS! HHAHA. Ako talaga yung taong sobrang gusto na magtry ng mga kakaibang stuff. HAHAHA. Perfect to sa underwater cam ko. Ahay. Mahal ba?
mary recently posted..A ‘hero’ wins an iPhone4s
great! HAHA! I envy you. I want to experience din yan! Hopefully soon.
Dianne recently posted..And I reached my 100th post!
[...] For someone’s working 2 cities away from home… and for someone who’s planning on a trip a few hours later after work… for SOMEONE AS ME, who at one time planned for a Whale Shark watching trip to Oslob(SEE INFO HERE). [...]
wow. ang ganda ng pagkakacapture dun sa last pic! sana makakita din ako ng live butanding!
Wow that is pretty amazing. Sharks are such a beautiful creatures
Cindy recently posted..I hate my work!
[...] the opportunity to be one of the tour guide for Nuffnang. I would take them to the Butanding Watching which is very popular here in Cebu not only for locals but to foreigners as well, it is located in [...]
i hope i will have the ample of time to go to these place. at hopefully mrami ang ssama sa akin.. its boring nmn if it would be only me who will go there.. pwede khit anong klse ng digicam ang ggmitin? hindi nmn yan mhuhulog dba. ahaha
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am
not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed
about my problem. You are incredible! Thanks!
Curtis recently posted..Curtis