13 Dec 2024
Is it unethical? That’s not for me to say. I can tell you it employs a LOT of people and none of the whale sharks I saw appeared injured or distressed.
If they were in an enclosed space it may be a different matter but they are free to come and go as they please. That said it appeared well organized when we went. We arrived there at about 8 and it wasn’t at all the nightmare I’d read about during the busy season. We were issued the warnings about staying away from them, no suntan lotion etc. got our required life jackets and were on a boat in minutes. You can see them fine from the boat even if you don’t go in the water. Someone I was with can’t swim and she was happy with what she saw. The water was a bit rough so everyone on our boat just hung onto the pontoons while snorkeling. You have 30 mins. That was my only opportunity to see a whale shark and I’m happy I went.