Traveler describes swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines — Jerusalem Post
Jerusalem Post author Jacob Maor described his experience of swimming with whale sharks in Donsol Bay in the Philippines. According to him, during one of the dives, the giant animal swam about a meter beneath him, and he compared its size to a bus.
Diving in Donsol Bay
Maor arrived in Donsol with a group of companions and headed out to sea in a narrow Philippine boat with bamboo outriggers. A spotter on the mast looked for dark silhouettes, movement, or water spouts, after which the guide instructed the tourists to jump into the water.
During the first dive, the author saw a dark body with large light spots and a wide-open mouth in the water. He said that at first, out of fear, he could neither swim nor turn back. Later, the guide reported another animal, and the group entered the water again.
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Contact with a swimmer
Later, the group members learned that one of the swimmers had not noticed the approaching shark fin, which touched his stomach. According to the man's description, the sensation was like a kitchen grater with large teeth touching the skin.
The article notes that swimming with whale sharks in Donsol is called butanding. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, and it comes to Donsol Bay every year from March to July.
Later, Maor saw two more whale sharks. Following the instruction not to touch the animals, he swam alongside one of them for about 100 meters. The author linked the experience to the biblical image of Leviathan and the Book of Jonah, which is read during the afternoon service on Yom Kippur.
