Puerto Princesa: Swim with Whale Sharks Boat Cruise

Swimming beside a whale shark is the main event here, but the search is part of the story. You leave Baywalk by boat, scan the open water with the crew, and wait for news from local fishermen or signs such as seabirds gathering over fish. I like the natural approach, since the sharks are not fed or placed in a fixed viewing area.

I also like the practical package: hotel pickup, lunch, snorkeling gear, and drop-off are included for $60. The crew works hard and may give you several chances in the water. The catch is simple: you can spend much of the 6.5-hour day searching and still see no whale sharks, since these are wild animals and rough seas can cancel the trip.

Key points at a glance

• Local sighting network: The crew keeps in touch with local fishermen for current whale shark information.
• Wild encounters: The animals are not fed, and sightings are never guaranteed.
• Several water entries: When sharks are found, you may get more than one chance to snorkel beside them.
• Full-day value: The $60 price includes transport, boat travel, lunch, and mask, snorkel, and fins.
• Useful hotel coverage: Pickup and drop-off are offered at nine listed Puerto Princesa locations, plus the international airport.
• Nature-based searching: The crew may watch bird activity and fish movement while looking for sharks.

A whale shark day that begins with a search

This is not a quick aquarium-style photo stop. Your boat leaves Baywalk and heads into the waters off Puerto Princesa, where the crew searches for whale sharks in their natural setting.

That distinction matters. A whale shark encounter can feel far more meaningful when the animal is free to choose where it goes, but the tradeoff is uncertainty. Some days bring several sightings. One reported outing had five whale sharks, while another had two at the same time. Another ended without any sharks at all.

The crew uses current information from local fishermen to improve the odds. The search may also involve watching for seabirds over areas with lots of fish, since whale sharks may be nearby. You are not simply taken to a guaranteed spot, so patience is part of the experience.

The day lasts about 6.5 hours. That gives the crew time to search, but it also means this is a major part of your Puerto Princesa day rather than a short morning activity. If you have a tight schedule, keep that in mind.

Pickup from nine Puerto Princesa locations

Hotel pickup is included, which removes one of the usual hassles of an early boat outing. Pickup points include Citystate Asturias Hotel Palawan, FERSAL HOTEL Puerto Princesa, Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, Bea’s Garden Inn, Sunlight Hotel Puerto Princesa, Palawan Uno Hotel, Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa, Aziza Paradise Hotel, and Puerto Princesa International Airport.

You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Drivers wait no more than five minutes after pickup, so this is not the morning to arrive at the lobby casually with wet hair and an unfinished breakfast.

Airport pickup can be handy if your arrival lines up with the tour time, but check the schedule carefully before relying on it. The information provided does not promise luggage storage or a separate airport transfer service.

The return service covers the same set of locations. That makes the trip easy to add to a stay in Puerto Princesa, especially if you prefer not to arrange a taxi to Baywalk.

Leaving Baywalk and heading offshore

The boat tour begins from Baywalk, a practical starting point for getting out on the water. The boat ride itself is part of the day, not just transportation between two fixed points.

You will spend time scanning the water for marine life while the crew follows fresh reports and searches likely areas. The open sea can look quiet for long stretches, so bring a calm attitude. The payoff comes when the crew spots a whale shark and positions the boat for a safe entry.

The available information does not state the boat size, passenger capacity, or exact offshore travel time. That makes it difficult to judge how crowded the boat may feel or how much shade and seating it offers. I would ask the operator about those details if you are sensitive to motion, sun, or limited space.

Some outings include more than whale sharks. One group saw dolphins playing near the front of the boat and followed them briefly. That is not promised, but it shows why the ride can still hold interest while the main search continues.

Getting ready with mask, snorkel, and fins

Mask, snorkel, and fins are included, so you do not need to bring a full set of equipment. You should still pack swimwear, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, and an ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted.

The guides give instructions before you enter the water and help direct the timing of each entry. When the boat is positioned well, you may find the whale shark below or nearby as soon as you get in. One outing included about eight separate water entries, while another had several chances to swim with a few sharks.

Those accounts show the range of the experience. The crew may work hard to give you repeated opportunities, but the number of entries depends on where the animals go, sea conditions, and how long the encounter lasts.

You should be ready to maintain a respectful distance. The goal is to watch the whale sharks move naturally, not chase or crowd them. The tour information specifically describes a safe, respectful swim, and the animals are not fed to bring them to the boat.

The whale shark encounter

Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish, yet they are described here as gentle animals. In the water, you can watch them glide through clear blue sea while the guide helps you understand what you are seeing and how to behave around them.

The experience may be brief and thrilling, or it may involve repeated swims. A few outings saw one or two sharks, while another saw five. You might get a clear view of a large animal passing below, or you may need to move with the boat as the shark changes direction.

The crew’s boat positioning is important. Reports describe the boat being placed close to the sighting point so swimmers could enter near the animals. That can make a major difference, since a slow entry from the wrong spot might mean watching the shark disappear before you reach it.

Still, do not book this expecting a guaranteed photograph or a long swim. Whale sharks are wild, and the tour makes no promise about sightings. That honest limitation is central to deciding if this activity suits you.

Lunch and a long day on the water

A picnic lunch is included, and the food received strong praise in the information provided. Some descriptions call it tasty or delicious, which makes lunch a welcome break during a day spent searching offshore.

The meal also adds value to the $60 price. You are not paying only for a boat ride and a possible animal sighting. The package includes hotel transportation, the boat tour, food, and basic snorkeling equipment.

The price is especially fair if you use the pickup and drop-off service and do not need to rent gear separately. It is less compelling if your main goal is a guaranteed whale shark encounter, because no operator can promise one on this trip.

Bring your own water if you prefer a particular drink, since the supplied details only confirm picnic lunch. Sunscreen is essential, and biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested. The tropical sun can make a long boat ride feel much longer than expected.

What the ethical setup means for you

The strongest feature of this outing is its attempt to work with the animals’ natural behavior. The sharks are not fed, and the crew searches for them rather than gathering them at a fixed feeding site.

That approach offers a better kind of wildlife experience. You are observing an animal on its own terms, even if that means waiting, changing course, or returning without a sighting. The guides also stress keeping a respectful distance, which helps protect the animal and makes the encounter calmer.

You should still ask the crew for clear instructions before entering the water. Follow their directions about where to swim, how close to approach, and when to return to the boat. The trip is described as safe and respectful, but your behavior remains part of that standard.

The tour is conducted in English. The information does not provide individual guide names, but it does describe an experienced crew that works hard to track the animals and direct water entries. If you need detailed species information or want to discuss conservation issues at length, ask the guide during the search and lunch breaks.

The real drawback: wild animals set the timetable

The biggest risk is not poor service. It is nature.

A day can be long if the boat does not find whale sharks early. You may spend hours scanning the sea, listening for updates, and waiting for a promising sighting. Sea conditions can also force cancellation.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, which gives you some flexibility if your plans change. You can also reserve now and pay later. Those policies help, but they cannot remove the uncertainty once you are out at sea.

If you need a guaranteed attraction, choose something else. If you can accept a search with no promise at the end, the uncertainty is part of the fair exchange. You pay for the crew’s time, boat, transport, food, equipment, and effort, not for a guaranteed animal appearance.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Princesa trip

I would recommend this for anyone who cares more about a respectful wildlife encounter than a tightly controlled schedule. It suits strong swimmers and confident snorkelers best, though the guides are available to help you.

It is also a good fit if you want a simple package. Hotel transfers remove local transport planning, and the included gear means fewer items to arrange before the outing. Families with very young babies should note that children under one year old are not suitable for the activity.

You will likely enjoy it if you can handle a long day on a boat and are happy to watch the search unfold. The trip may be less suitable if you dislike open-water travel, need frequent shade, or have only one spare day in Puerto Princesa and cannot risk missing the sharks.

How to prepare for the best possible day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack biodegradable sunscreen. Bring an ID card or a copy, and arrive in the lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

I would also bring a dry change of clothes, a waterproof bag for small items, and a light cover for the boat ride. These items are practical suggestions rather than listed inclusions, so do not assume the operator supplies them.

Keep your expectations flexible. A successful day might mean one close sighting, several water entries, dolphins beside the boat, or simply an informed search that finds no shark. The crew’s effort can improve your odds, but it cannot control the sea.

Should you book this whale shark cruise?

Book it if you want a wild, nature-led encounter and can accept that the whale sharks may not appear. The combination of local sighting information, an English-speaking guide, repeated chances to enter the water, lunch, snorkeling gear, and hotel transfers makes $60 a solid value.

Skip it if you need certainty, dislike long boat searches, or have no room in your schedule for a 6.5-hour outing. For everyone else, this offers a thoughtful way to look for one of the sea’s most remarkable animals without feeding it or placing it in a fixed attraction.

FAQ

How long does the whale shark cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately 6.5 hours, including pickup, the boat search, snorkeling time, lunch, and return transportation.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $60 per person.

Are whale shark sightings guaranteed?

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

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The trip may be canceled because of sea conditions.

What equipment is included?

A mask, snorkel, and fins are included for use during the activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included at the listed Puerto Princesa hotels and the Puerto Princesa International Airport.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat sets out from Baywalk in Puerto Princesa.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide service is in English.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, and an ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted.