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Pro
Best place to interact with whalesharks
Con
long road travel time from Manila. occassional rainy seasons. Whale sharks are there for 5 months
In a nutshell
A Nature trip of Butanding, Krills, fireflies and stars
Butanding (Whale Shark) Interaction
jayjayc Says: -Dec 2012 / max of 6 pax per boat-We are only 5 / paid a fee of Php800 each plus Php300 for the snorkel gears-We are guided by 1 BIO (Butanding Interaction Officer), 2 Butanding spotters and 2 Boatmen-1st photo: the black shadow 1 foot under the water surface in the middle...
lotharscheer Says: After seeing the Whalesharks look for Manta Ray´s at Manta Bowl, an ideal cleaning and feeding ground for big ocean creatures. This area is where you get the most sightings of Manta Rays. Manta rays visit this area from December to May.
icoy Says: Swimming with the whale sharks! The greatest experience ever. The sharks are so big that seeing them up close could be overwhelming. Good thing is that they are very gentle that you can swim with it and as long as you don't make a lot of noise you can swim with it for a long...
Go swimming with Whale Sharks is a must
OH_DK Says: If you're in Donsol you really have to go swimming with these fantastic, giant, peaceful fish - it was an experience that I'll never forget.We were a group of 3 French, 2 English, 1 Filippino (Barbie) and I (OH_DK)Shortly after we went out on the sea we were ready with finns...
Watch fire flies after it gets dark
OH_DK Says: The day we arrived we booked us to a fireflie trip in a little boat. Barbie booked (I think at "Vitton" hotel reception). After dark 6:30 pm a guide came and picked us up and we went on her motor bike 1km. to Donsol town and a river where a little boat was waiting for us.We...
bojomacaraig Says: if you are in Donsol you must see the Whale sharks, locally known as Butanding, the largest fish in the World. Getting there in the middle of the sea to see and swim with butanding, you must must rent a motorboat for P 3,500.00 pesos a maximum of 7 passengers so if you are...
barbie_sunrise Says: This is a thing NOT to be miss in you Sorsogon tour. Butandings can be seen only in tropical and warm temperate areas. Be at tourism office around 630am. Cost of tour is P3500, maximum 7 person/boat. Watch the video prepared by the tourism office and then off you go to the...
8 Reviews and 67 Opinions We chose the Vitton Beach Resort because it was just beside the Visitor's Center where the...
Mommy Nem's Resto: Home Cooked Meals
wabufamy Says: The restaurant is inside the Vitton and Woodland Beach Resort. Their menu is quite extensive and meals are inexpensive. Usual price is P240.00 with servings good for two. Their Pansit Bihon was actually good for 3-4 people. Food was ordinary but because it wasn't costly, we...
Barracuda: The best restaurant in Donsol
Perucha Says: Semi outdoor restaurant overlooking the beach, very nice food, and Juliet, the owner, is very friendly and nice. Have a dinner here, with candle light dinner on the terrace is awesome. Anything they serve is GOOOOOD!! Very fresh seafood, well-cook, not so many sauce,...
drunkenmaster4 Says: Since there is nothing to do in Donsol after dark, tourist just do the Night River Fire Fly watching. Its a great experience for city slickers especially those who havent seen a firefly. But for the more "experienced", you may feel shortchanged.
Just look up on the sky: Stargazing at Night
yellowcab Says: I have never seen as many bright stars on anyywhere I have been except to this place. You will be amazed on how clear the sky here at night. This is a clear testament on how this place is free from pollution that you can easily see even the small or far away stars here. I...
donsol Says: You can take a public aircon bus from Naga (CWC - Naga there are private vehicles)to Legaspi @80.00php and public bus @ roughly around 50-60pesos. Then from Legaspi Terminal take the van going to Donsol @ 70.00php.If you are in a group, i would suggest you arrange...
barbie_sunrise Says: From Legaspi airport to Donsol, there are services offered in the airport but it is expensive specially if its private. Option is to go to terminal via jeepney or tricycle then take a 1-1/2 hour van or jeepney (P60) ride going to pilar or Donsol then ride a tricycle...
If you have spare cash, why not get a few souvenirs from the souvenir shop near the Donsol Tourism Office. You can get some t-shirts, postcards, hats etc.
A part of the profit from the souvenir items sold goes to the preserving, research and increasing awareness about whale sharks. You'll kill two birds in one stone, help save the whale sharks plus you'll get a nice t-shirt for it.
What to buy: T-shirt (P190 White/P200 colored)
Hats
Underwater Camera
Postcards
other souvenir items
Updated May 29, 2008
Address: near the donsol tourism office
WEAR A LIFE VEST WHEN SWIMMING W/ WHALESHARKS
mavl Says: even if you're a good swimmer, it is advised that you wear a life vest when you take to the water and swim alongside the whalesharks. even if you're a seasoned swimmer, do not underestimate the excitement you'll experience when you see these gigantic creatures for the first...
icoy Says: Pack your things in a watertight bag Don't forget your swimsuit Sunblock Underwater camera. I suggest the disposable type. The water is really deep that if your camera falls, that's the last you would see of it. Snorkeling gear and fins. It would save you Php300 rental...
Bring a telescope and night mode camera
yellowcab Says: You need a sophisticated camera that can capture the many bright stars here up the sky and down the earth. The skyhere is free from any pollution so you can easily see the faraway and tiny stars. You will also need a camera that can shoot the hundred thousands of fireflies...
Trek to the Grotto when you're done swimming!
verorp14 Says: If you're a Catholic and is looking for an activity which is both spiritual and physically challenging - head for the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes at San Antonio in Donsol Sorsogon. The Grotto is about 2 kms away from town proper of Donsol. You can reach it either riding a...
gladzz Says: Yes, Holy Week is the best time for the butanding watching because I'd once work there in Donsol so, I am sure of that.If you want you can contact this number 09264340275, he is one of the best BIO there in Donsol, his name is Jack. When I worked there in a Dive Center and...
WHALESHARK WATCHING: best time to go
mavl Says: although there are other things to do in donsol, it is known worldwide for its whalesharks.the whalesharks don't swim here all year round. they only come starting DECEMBER then leave by APRIL. if you come early december or late april, there will be less of them around and...
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In 2004, Time Magazine chose the "Butanding" (local name for whale shark) Interaction Program in Donsol Bay as the "Best Place For An Animal Encounter" in this planet. The place seems to attract more...
Donsol is a sleepy little fishing village that attracts tourists for one reason – it boasts one of the world’s largest concentrations of Whale Sharks. If it weren’t for the sharks, there would be...
Donsol is the place where the following things will be found: - cheap priced shrimps - friendly and hospitable people - largest fish in the planet (whaleshark) - reasonable priced lodging and...
Go for the Whale Sharks, Leave with a lot more
Your primary reason for going to Donsol is to see the whale sharks. Well, for a little as P600.00, you'll be able to see this famous creatures. Just remember to go to Donsol between the months of...
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Comments (1)
Share Encounter:
Me and my wife booked whale shark sight seeing thru bicolaventura.com/contact-us..... we were told the cost of the tour would be 1100 php per person for the entire tour since we would not require transportation to Donsol since we had our own car. On arrival we were told that since we were only two people we would need to put a deposit down for the entire capacity of the which is six tourist. Our tour guide told us that this would reserve us a spot that day since the government limits how many boats and people go out in one days time. The guide said that 6000 php would reserve us a boat and once other tourist arrived and we had four other tourist to join us we would recieve all but our 2200 php back. We were eventually joined by four other tourist and set out to see the whale shark. Upon returning to land and finding our tour guide to recieve our deposit back ee were only given 2600 php. When we asked for the rest we were told that was all there was. We then showed the TXT message we had recieved from the number on the website to the tour guide that stated 1100 php per person, he called his agent who told us that the 1100 php did not include the rental of the snorkel equipment and the enviromental fee and tourist fee. My wife explained to the lady on the phone that this was notbwhat we were told at which point the lady replied to my wife "tuff *** you did not understand" and hung up the phone. In short not only were we not given the rest of our money, now I alsohad to deal with a very angry wife on Valentines day. Best advice never use this agency and do not let any agency talk you into giving a deposit just wait till there is a group of six people. Also be forwarned that it is not guaranted you will see a whale shark, your tour will last for a maximium of 3 hous and there is no refund or raincheck.