Puerto Princesa: Swim with Whale Sharks Boat Cruise

The main event here is simple and extraordinary: you may slip into the clear waters off Puerto Princesa and swim near a whale shark, the world’s largest fish. I like that the crew works with local fishermen and watches natural signs instead of feeding the animals. I also like the respectful approach, with guides helping you keep your distance and enter the water safely.

The weak point is also clear: whale sharks are wild animals, so nobody can promise a sighting. The trip can be a long day if the search takes time, and rough sea conditions can cancel the outing. Still, the chance to see these animals on their terms gives the experience real value.

Key points to know before you book

• Wild whale shark encounters: Sightings are not guaranteed, and the animals are not fed to attract them.
• Natural tracking methods: The crew works with local fishermen and watches for signs such as seabirds gathering over fish.
• Several water entries may be possible: One outing included about eight swims, while other trips had two or five whale sharks.
• A full package: Hotel pickup and return, boat transport, snorkeling equipment, and picnic lunch are included.
• A long half-day: Allow 6.5 hours, including transfers, searching, wildlife watching, and time in the water.
• Best for flexible wildlife lovers: You need to accept that nature controls the schedule and the final result.

Setting out from Puerto Princesa Baywalk

Your day begins with pickup from one of nine listed locations in 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.

That broad pickup list is useful if you are staying in the city or arriving at the airport. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to Baywalk, which saves money and removes one piece of morning planning. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The driver waits no longer than five minutes after pickup, so this is not a morning for a slow breakfast or a last-minute hunt for sunscreen.

The boat sets out from Baywalk and heads into the waters off Puerto Princesa. This first part is not the star of the day, but it helps you settle into the pace. You are not heading straight to a fixed wildlife enclosure. The crew must search for animals that are free to move, which means the ride can feel calm and scenic one minute, then focused and active when a possible sighting appears.

The full activity lasts 6.5 hours. That includes pickup and return, the boat ride, time spent looking for whale sharks, and any water sessions. You should treat it as a major part of your day rather than a quick add-on between city sightseeing plans.

How the crew searches for whale sharks

The crew has working relationships with local fishermen who pass along recent whale shark sightings. That local network matters because the search area is not a small, marked zone. The boat needs current information to improve its chances of finding animals that may be spread across a large stretch of sea.

The crew also watches the water for natural clues. One particularly interesting account described the boat looking for seabirds, since birds gathering above fish can indicate activity below. That method gives you a glimpse of wildlife tracking in practice. It is less predictable than following a food source, but it also avoids changing the animals’ behavior.

This is an important point when you compare whale shark experiences in the Philippines. Here, the animals are not fed. The crew cannot call them to the boat or guarantee that they will appear at a certain hour. You may see two animals together, several animals on different swims, dolphins near the boat, or no whale sharks at all.

That uncertainty can test your patience. One outing had people in the water about eight times, while another included sightings of five whale sharks. Another booking did not produce a whale shark sighting, though the day still had value because of the group and the time on the sea. I would book this with the right mindset: you are paying for a serious search and a chance at a remarkable wild encounter, not a guaranteed performance.

Entering the water beside the whale sharks

Once the crew locates a whale shark, the boat positions itself and the guide gives instructions before anyone gets into the water. You receive a mask, snorkel, and fins, so you do not need to bring your own set unless you prefer your personal equipment.

The guides help you time your entry and maintain a respectful distance. This matters because whale sharks are enormous, and excitement can easily turn into careless movement. You will want to keep your body calm, follow the guide’s directions, and give the animal room to move.

The experience is more about watching than touching. You may see the whale shark glide through the water, its broad body moving with surprising grace. The contrast is striking: this is the largest fish in the world, yet the animal can appear quiet and unhurried as it passes.

Several water sessions may be possible if conditions and sightings cooperate. One account described roughly eight separate entries, with the boat repeatedly positioning itself for a good view. That can make the price feel worthwhile, since you are not limited to one brief look before returning to shore.

Still, the number of swims depends entirely on conditions and animal behavior. You might be in the water several times, or you might spend most of the day searching. The guide’s job is to improve your chances and keep the encounter respectful, not to control the wildlife.

What the boat day feels like

The boat ride gives the outing a relaxed side. Between sightings, you can watch the open water, look for marine life, and wait for the next update from the crew. The pace is not fixed, so bring patience along with your swimwear.

The most memorable extra wildlife sighting reported during the trip was a group of dolphins playing near the front of the boat. The crew followed them for a short time. Dolphins are not promised, but this shows why an open-water trip can offer more than the headline animal.

Lunch is included as a picnic meal on the boat. Several outings received positive comments about the food, with one person describing the lunch as delicious and another calling the dinner fantastic. The exact menu is not specified, so I would not book this for a particular dish. The practical benefit is that you do not need to carry a separate meal or return to shore hungry.

A meal also helps during the long search. Six and a half hours on the water can feel much easier when you have food, shade or a place to rest, and time to talk with the group. The trip is still weather dependent, and sea conditions can lead to cancellation. If you are prone to motion sickness, the supplied information does not describe any specific remedy, so bring only what you normally use and follow your own travel routine.

Why the ethical approach matters

The strongest reason to choose this trip is the way it handles the wildlife. The animals are not fed, and the search is based on local information and signs in the natural environment. That means the encounter is less certain, but it avoids making the whale sharks gather simply because boats provide food.

I like this trade-off. If you want a guaranteed photograph, a controlled attraction may feel easier. If you want to see whale sharks behaving in their own habitat, this trip asks you to accept a little uncertainty in exchange for a more natural experience.

The guides also play an important part. They explain how to approach the animals and help you get into the water safely. The strongest praise for the crew focuses on their energy, patience, and effort during the search. You should expect an English-speaking guide, though no individual guide names are provided.

A respectful wildlife tour is not just about keeping your own distance. It also means accepting that the crew may decide not to approach an animal, may limit a water entry, or may move on if conditions are poor. That is part of responsible practice, even if it means you get less time in the water.

What you receive for the $60 price

At $60 per person, the price covers more than a short boat ride. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat tour, a picnic lunch, and mask, snorkel, and fins. The crew’s local contacts and wildlife search also form part of what you are paying for.

I see this as solid value if you are staying in Puerto Princesa and want a complete day arranged for you. Separate transport to Baywalk, boat access, equipment rental, lunch, and a dedicated search could add up quickly. The included transfer is especially useful if you are not comfortable arranging an early local ride.

The value is harder to judge if you need a guaranteed animal sighting. No ethical wild animal tour can provide that promise here. You may have the experience of a lifetime, with several whale sharks and perhaps dolphins, or you may spend much of the day searching without seeing one.

The reported overall score is 4.1 from 93 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience with some limits. The highest praise centers on the crew’s effort, the natural approach, the number of water entries, and the quality of the lunch. Those are the areas I would use to judge the tour, rather than treating the whale shark sighting itself as a guaranteed feature.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing if you care about wildlife and can handle an uncertain result. It suits people who would rather spend a day looking for animals in the open sea than visit a guaranteed attraction.

It also works well for visitors who want a simple package. Hotel transport, equipment, and lunch are already arranged, so you can focus on the boat trip instead of solving each part separately. The English-speaking guide is helpful if you want instructions and explanations in English.

Strong swimmers and confident snorkelers may get the most from the time in the water, but the available information does not set out a specific swimming requirement. If you are less confident, listen closely to the guide and be honest about your comfort in the sea. The crew helps with the water entry, but the trip remains a marine activity.

This is not suitable for babies under one year old. The information provided does not list other medical or mobility restrictions, so you should ask the operator directly if you have a specific concern.

What to pack for the search

Keep your packing simple, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• An identification card, or a copy
• Any personal items you need for a 6.5-hour outing

Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested and is the better choice for a marine activity. Apply it before boarding and reapply as needed during the day.

Your ID card or a copy is required. You should also arrive in the lobby on time, since the driver will not wait beyond five minutes after the scheduled pickup.

Because the trip may include several water entries, bring a patient attitude as well as swimwear. The supplied details do not specify towels, lockers, or dry bags, so do not assume those are included. Keep valuables to a minimum.

Cancellations, weather, and the no-sighting risk

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are building a flexible Palawan itinerary.

Sea conditions can cancel the trip. This is not a minor detail. The boat needs safe conditions to travel and the crew needs a workable sea surface for wildlife searching and snorkeling.

The biggest risk is a day without whale sharks. Sightings cannot be guaranteed because the animals are wild and not fed. If that possibility would ruin your day, this is probably not the right booking.

If you can treat the outing as a marine wildlife search, the uncertainty becomes easier to accept. You may see whale sharks repeatedly, perhaps two at once, or you may encounter dolphins and enjoy the boat day even without the main sighting. That is an honest bargain, but it requires the right expectations.

Should you book the Puerto Princesa whale shark cruise?

I would book it if your priority is a respectful chance to see whale sharks in natural conditions. The combination of local sighting information, an experienced crew, repeated possible water entries, lunch, equipment, and hotel transfers makes $60 a fair price for a full 6.5-hour outing.

I would skip it if your schedule is too tight to absorb a weather cancellation or an unsuccessful search. I would also avoid booking it if you need a guaranteed encounter or prefer a short, tightly timed activity.

For the best chance of enjoying the day, plan around the wildlife rather than around your watch. Follow the guide’s instructions, keep your distance, use biodegradable sunscreen, and remember that the animals decide what happens. If that sounds like the kind of adventure you want, Wild Expeditions Travel and Tours offers a thoughtful way to search for one of the sea’s most impressive animals.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Princesa whale shark tour last?

The activity lasts 6.5 hours, including the boat trip, wildlife search, water sessions, and hotel transfers.

What is included in the $60 price?

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

Are whale shark sightings guaranteed?

No. The whale sharks are wild, are not fed, and may not appear. Trips can also be canceled because of sea conditions.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat sets out from Baywalk in Puerto Princesa.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What languages are available?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, and an identification card or accepted copy.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.