Puerto Princesa: Swim with Whale Sharks Boat Cruise

Whale sharks reward patience. This 6.5-hour cruise from Puerto Princesa searches the open sea for wild whale sharks, then lets you snorkel beside them when conditions and sightings line up. I like the crew’s link with local fishermen, which gives them fresh information about where the animals may be, and I like that the sharks are not fed to attract them. The main catch is simple: sightings are never guaranteed, and a long day on the water can pass without the moment you came for.

The $60 price includes hotel pickup and return, the boat, picnic lunch, and mask, snorkel, and fins. That is good value if you want an all-in-one outing and do not want to arrange transport or equipment yourself. You should still bring biodegradable sunscreen, swimwear, an ID card, and patience. The crew may search for hours, and rough sea conditions can cancel the trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Wild whale sharks, not fed animals: The crew searches according to local sightings and natural signs rather than bringing sharks in with food.
• A full six-and-a-half-hour outing: Hotel transfers, the boat ride, the search, snorkeling sessions, and the return trip all fit into one long morning and afternoon.
• Local fishermen help guide the search: Their current information can improve your chances of finding the animals in open water.
• Several water entries may be possible: One account describes getting into the sea about eight times, while another group saw two sharks together.
• Lunch and gear are included: You receive a picnic lunch plus a mask, snorkel, and fins, which keeps the $60 cost practical.
• Nature sets the schedule: The trip can be canceled for sea conditions, and no sighting is promised because the whale sharks are wild.

Why this Puerto Princesa whale shark trip is different

Many wildlife tours are built around a fixed attraction. This one is more like a search at sea. Your boat leaves from Baywalk and heads into the waters off Puerto Princesa, working with information passed along by local fishermen.

That arrangement matters. Whale sharks move through their natural environment, and the crew is not using food to hold them in one place. You may have to wait, scan the water, and change course before anything appears. That can feel slow if you want a guaranteed photo, but it also makes the encounter more genuine.

The whale shark is the world’s largest fish, yet it is known for its calm, filter-feeding habits. Seeing one glide past while you float nearby gives you a better sense of its size than any aquarium visit can. The experience is not about performing tricks or touching an animal. It is about watching a wild creature choose its own route.

The ethical approach is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. The crew gives instructions for entering the water and asks you to keep a respectful distance. You are there to observe, not chase, block, or grab the sharks.

Hotel pickup makes the early start easier

The tour offers pickup from nine listed locations in Puerto Princesa:

• 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
• Aziza Paradise Hotel

Your pickup time depends on the location and the day’s schedule. Wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the arranged time. The driver waits no more than five minutes after pickup time, so this is not the morning to stroll down from your room at the last second.

Airport pickup is useful if you are arriving or staying near the terminal, though you should make sure your timing works with a 6.5-hour marine outing. The return service goes to the same group of hotels and the airport, making this easier than hiring separate transport in both directions.

The practical benefit is easy to overlook. A day on the water already involves enough moving parts. Having transport included means you do not need to find Baywalk on your own or negotiate a ride back after a tiring snorkeling session.

Baywalk is the starting point, then the search begins

The boat sets out from Baywalk, a convenient departure point in Puerto Princesa. From there, the crew searches for signs of whale sharks and other marine life.

There is no fixed sightseeing route described for the boat ride. That is important. The boat is not simply cruising past a set of landmarks. Its route depends on sea conditions, local information, and where the animals may be moving that day.

The crew’s contact with local fishermen is a useful advantage. Fishermen on the water can pass along recent sightings, helping the crew focus its search instead of relying only on luck. Even so, this is still a wild-animal outing. A report from yesterday does not force a whale shark to remain in the same place today.

You might spend part of the ride watching the water and waiting for news. That searching is part of the experience, but it is also the biggest source of uncertainty. If you need a tight schedule, keep the open-ended nature in mind.

What happens when a whale shark is found

Once the crew locates a whale shark, you receive instructions before entering the water. Snorkeling equipment is provided onboard, including a mask, snorkel, and fins.

The goal is to swim alongside the animal while keeping a respectful distance. The shark may pass beneath or beside you, then disappear into the blue. You cannot expect it to circle the boat or pose in one place. That unpredictability is exactly what makes each sighting feel special.

The number of water entries can vary. One particularly successful outing involved about eight separate entries, giving the group repeated chances to watch the sharks. Another group saw two large whale sharks at the same time, while another saw five. Those are excellent possibilities, not promises.

If you are not a confident swimmer, pay close attention to the guide’s instructions and be honest about your comfort in the water. The supplied information confirms that guides are available to help and explain how to enter the sea, but it does not give details about lifeguard qualifications or flotation support. Ask the operator directly if you need special assistance.

The right behavior is straightforward:

• Keep the distance the guide requests.
• Do not touch or chase the whale sharks.
• Follow instructions about when to enter and leave the water.
• Use biodegradable sunscreen to reduce harm to the marine environment.
• Let the animal determine the encounter.

The whale sharks are not fed, trained, or held in place. If one swims away, your best view may end quickly. That can be frustrating, but it is also the point of a natural encounter.

The crew’s role is more important than the boat ride

A whale shark trip depends heavily on the people running it. The boat itself gets you offshore, but the crew’s local contacts, patience, and timing give you the best chance of finding anything.

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the crew’s effort and attitude. The guides are described as energetic, kind, skilled at spotting sharks, and careful about how people enter the water. That combination matters. A guide who knows where to search but rushes swimmers would weaken the experience. Here, the emphasis is on both finding the animals and handling the encounter properly.

The guides also provide information about whale sharks and their role in the ecosystem. You are not only watching a large fish pass by. You are learning why these animals matter and why responsible behavior is important.

There is no named guide listed for this activity, so I would not expect to request a particular person. What you can expect is an English-speaking live guide and a crew focused on the search.

Lunch helps make the long day more comfortable

A picnic lunch is included in the $60 price. That is a useful detail because a six-and-a-half-hour trip can feel much longer when you are swimming, waiting, and riding in the sun.

The food received positive comments, with descriptions of a tasty lunch served onboard. The supplied details do not specify the menu, dietary choices, or drinks, so tell the provider about food restrictions before departure rather than assuming special meals are available.

Lunch also gives the day a natural pause. After time in the water, you will likely appreciate something simple without having to return to shore to find a meal. Keep in mind that eating on a moving boat may not suit everyone, especially if you are prone to seasickness.

Bring only what you need and protect personal items from spray. The activity information does not specify dry bags or storage, so ask before bringing cameras, phones, or other gear you cannot afford to get wet.

How much value do you get for $60?

At $60 per person, this is a fairly complete day package. You receive:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• The boat tour
• Picnic lunch
• Mask, snorkel, and fins
• An English-speaking guide
• A crew searching for current whale shark locations

If you arranged a boat, local transport, lunch, and snorkeling equipment separately, the cost could become less predictable. The included transfer is especially helpful if you are staying at one of the listed hotels.

The price does not buy certainty. You are paying for the boat trip, the crew’s search, the equipment, and the chance to see a wild animal. If you only value the tour when a whale shark appears, the price may feel high on an unlucky day. One booking ended without a sighting, although the participant still enjoyed the group and the day.

That is the honest bargain here: you pay for access and effort, not a guaranteed performance. I think the price works best for people who understand that distinction and would still value a day on the sea, even if the main animal stays out of sight.

The main drawback is the uncertainty

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

Whale sharks are not fed, and they do not follow a schedule. The crew can receive fresh information from fishermen, watch the water, and work hard all day, but none of that controls the animals. Some groups have seen several sharks. Others may see none.

Sea conditions create a second uncertainty. The trip can be canceled if the water is unsafe. That is the correct decision for a marine activity, but it can disrupt a tightly planned holiday.

You should also prepare for a long day if the search takes time. One account specifically warns that it can feel long when the sharks do not appear early. Bring the right attitude, protect yourself from the sun, and do not plan an important evening activity immediately afterward.

The upside is that the success stories sound excellent. People have reported multiple water entries, two sharks together, five sharks on one outing, and dolphins playing near the front of the boat. None of those sightings can be promised, but they show what the day can become when conditions line up.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the tour to you if you care about seeing wildlife in a more respectful setting and can accept uncertainty. It suits people who want a full boat outing rather than a quick photo stop.

It is also a good fit if you are staying at one of the listed hotels and want transport handled for you. Families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and groups of friends may all enjoy it, provided everyone is comfortable with a long day at sea and getting into the water.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed whale shark sighting, dislike open-water waiting, or have a very tight schedule. The activity is not suitable for babies under one year old. If you have mobility, swimming, medical, or dietary concerns, contact the provider before booking because the supplied details do not explain those arrangements.

For your packing list, bring swimwear, biodegradable sunscreen, and an ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted. You will also want a towel and a way to protect valuables, though those items are not specifically listed as provided.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when you are still adjusting your Palawan plans.

Pickup is included, but timing matters. Wait in the lobby 10 minutes early, and remember that the driver waits only five minutes after the scheduled time. Check the available starting times for your date because the activity lasts 6.5 hours.

The tour is operated by Wild Expeditions Travel and Tours. Communication before the trip has been praised as smooth, which is reassuring for confirming pickup details. Still, I would verify your hotel, meeting time, weather status, and any food or swimming concerns before the day begins.

Should you book the Puerto Princesa whale shark cruise?

Book it if you want a serious chance to see whale sharks in the wild and you value an approach that does not feed them. The local fisherman network, repeated search effort, included equipment, lunch, and hotel transfers make $60 a sensible price for a full day.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed animal encounter. You may see one shark, several, dolphins, or nothing at all. The best choice is to treat the trip as a responsible wildlife search, with the whale sharks in charge of the timetable. If that sounds exciting rather than inconvenient, this is one of Puerto Princesa’s more memorable marine outings.

FAQ

How long does the whale shark boat tour last?

The activity lasts 6.5 hours, including the boat outing, the search for whale sharks, snorkeling time, 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 a mask, snorkel, and fins.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat sets out from Baywalk in Puerto Princesa.

Are whale shark sightings guaranteed?

No. The whale sharks are wild and are not fed, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Trips may also be canceled because of sea conditions.

What should I bring?

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

Which language is the tour conducted in?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide.