Puerto Princesa: Swim with Whale Sharks Boat Cruise

Whale sharks are the main event here, but the best part is that you search for them in their own waters rather than visiting a feeding site. The crew uses local fishermen’s reports and watches for signs such as seabirds gathering over fish. When a shark appears, you enter the water for a close look while keeping a respectful distance.

I like the wildlife-first approach and the fact that your $60 includes hotel transfers, boat transport, snorkeling gear, and lunch. I also like that the crew may make several water entries when conditions allow, giving you more than one chance to see a shark. The catch is simple: no whale shark sighting is guaranteed, and a full day at sea can feel long if the search takes time.

Key points at a glance

• Wild sightings, not a feeding show: The whale sharks are not fed, so the encounter follows nature’s schedule.
• Local eyes help the search: The crew works with fishermen who share current sightings and sea information.
• Several chances to enter the water: Strong outings have included repeated swims, with one report describing about eight entries.
• Lunch and transfers are included: Pickup, drop-off, a boat trip, picnic lunch, and mask, snorkel, and fins come in the price.
• Dolphins may join the day: Some trips have also encountered dolphins playing near the boat.
• A six-and-a-half-hour commitment: Allow most of a day, and bring patience if the first search area is quiet.

The real draw: whale sharks on their own terms

A whale shark is the world’s largest fish, yet it moves with an unhurried, almost gentle grace. Seeing one from a boat is impressive. Swimming near one is a far more personal experience, especially when the animal is free to change direction and disappear into open water.

This Puerto Princesa trip is built around that uncertainty. You leave from Baywalk and search the sea rather than heading to a guaranteed viewing pen or a place where animals are fed. The crew keeps in touch with local fishermen, using recent sightings to decide where to look. That local network matters because the ocean is a big search area, and even an experienced crew cannot simply summon a wild animal.

I appreciate the ethics of this setup. You are not promised a whale shark, and the crew does not feed one to create a show. The result can be a thrilling encounter, or a long day with no sighting. That honest trade-off is important when you decide how to spend your time and money in Palawan.

From your hotel lobby to Baywalk

Pickup is included from 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.

You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup. The driver waits no more than five minutes after pickup time, so this is not the morning to wander off for coffee. Airport pickup is available, which can help if this trip fits directly after your arrival, though you will want to keep your bags and timing simple.

The transfer removes one of the most annoying parts of a boat outing: arranging a separate ride to the pier. It also makes the $60 price easier to judge. You are paying for more than time on the water, since transport in both directions is already covered.

The boat departs from Baywalk, a useful starting point because it places the group close to the city before heading out toward the search area. There is no separate sightseeing circuit or series of island stops listed. This is a focused marine expedition, and the whale shark search takes priority from the moment the boat leaves.

The search is part of the experience

The first part on the water may feel less dramatic than the swim itself. The crew searches for whale sharks by following local reports and watching the sea for clues. Birds gathering over active fish can point the crew toward an area where a whale shark might also be feeding.

That method gives the day a proper sense of wildlife watching. You are not simply transported to a fixed location and told when to get into the water. The crew makes decisions as conditions change, and the search may take time. One important tip is to prepare for a long morning if a shark does not appear early.

Some outings have produced multiple sightings. One strong day included five whale sharks, while another had two animals in the water at once. A separate account described entering the water around eight times. Those numbers are not promises, but they show why patience can pay off when the conditions cooperate.

Other days are quieter. At least one outing ended without a whale shark sighting, although the group still enjoyed the people and the time together. You should book this only if you can accept that possibility without feeling cheated.

Entering the water with the whale sharks

When the crew locates a whale shark, the mood changes quickly. You use the provided mask, snorkel, and fins, then enter the water under the guides’ instructions. The crew helps organize when to get in and where to look, which is especially useful if you are nervous in open water or have never snorkeled near a very large animal.

The experience depends on keeping your distance and allowing the shark to set the pace. A whale shark may glide by close enough for a remarkable view, then turn away or continue into deeper water. The respectful approach is not just good for the animal. It also gives you a better chance of seeing natural behavior instead of a stressed creature surrounded by people.

Reports from successful outings describe the boat being positioned well before swimmers entered the water. That timing can make a major difference. You want to spend your short water window looking at the shark, not trying to work out where it went.

The guides are described as energetic and patient, with repeated praise for their effort in spotting and tracking the animals. No individual guide names are provided, but the crew’s role is clear: they search, watch the water, explain how to enter, and help you make the most of each sighting.

Do not expect a quiet private swim with one shark and no one else nearby. The exact number of people on your boat is not provided, so the water experience may feel shared. Still, the crew’s effort to give you several entries can help spread out the opportunity.

More than whale sharks: dolphins and open sea

Whale sharks are the reason to book, but marine life can add a surprise to the boat ride. One particularly full outing included dolphins playing near the bow. The boat followed them for a short time, creating an extra wildlife moment beyond the main search.

You should treat that as a bonus, not part of the standard promise. The trip may involve long stretches of open water, and the scenery can be quieter than a typical island-hopping cruise. I like that the boat ride has a purpose, though some people may prefer a trip with beaches, coves, and several planned stops.

The sea itself also affects the schedule. Rough conditions can lead to cancellation, and the operator may not be able to run the trip safely. That is frustrating if this is your only available day in Puerto Princesa, but it is the right call for a marine outing.

What lunch and equipment add to the price

The package includes a picnic lunch, plus a mask, snorkel, and fins. That keeps the day straightforward. You do not need to rent basic snorkeling equipment separately or search for a place to eat while the crew is tracking animals.

Food reports have been positive, with lunch described as tasty and satisfying. Exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. Bring your own small snacks if you need food at certain times, but the included meal should cover the main break.

At $60 per person, the value is strongest if you use the full package. Hotel pickup and drop-off can save both money and planning time. Boat transport, equipment, lunch, and an English-speaking guide are also included. If you do not see a whale shark, the value becomes harder to defend, since the central purpose of the trip is the animal encounter.

That is the fair way to look at the price. You are paying for the crew’s time, local information, fuel, transport, equipment, and the chance to find a wild animal. You are not buying a guaranteed photograph or a guaranteed swim.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for someone who places a high value on seeing wildlife in a more natural setting. The ethical approach matters here. The animals are not fed, and the crew searches for them rather than gathering them at a fixed feeding location.

It also suits people who can handle an uncertain schedule. You may enter the water several times, but you may also spend a long period searching. A flexible attitude will improve the day.

Confident swimmers and regular snorkelers may find the format easy to enjoy. Beginners can still take part because guides provide instructions and equipment, but you should be honest about your comfort in open water. This is not a pool lesson, and the activity centers on entering the sea near a large wild animal.

Families should note the age restriction: babies under one year are not suitable for this activity. The provided information does not specify other age limits, swimming requirements, or accessibility details, so ask before booking if those points affect your plans.

Who should think twice before booking

I would hesitate to recommend this if you have only one free morning and must see a whale shark for the trip to feel worthwhile. Nature does not work that way here. The boat can be canceled because of sea conditions, and sightings remain uncertain because the animals are not fed.

You may also want a different boat trip if your main goal is beaches, island scenery, or several scheduled stops. This cruise is centered on finding marine life. The journey is part of the search, not a sightseeing route with a long list of attractions.

Finally, consider seasickness and patience. No medical or sea condition details are provided, so you should make your own preparations and bring anything you normally use on a boat. Sunscreen, swimwear, and an ID card are specifically recommended, and biodegradable sunscreen is the better choice for a marine outing.

Practical preparation for a six-and-a-half-hour day

Pack swimwear, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, and an ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted. Bring a towel and a waterproof way to protect personal items if you normally use one, though those extras are not listed as included.

Wear clothing that is easy to change out of after snorkeling. You may spend time in the boat before and after entering the water, so sun protection matters even when you are not swimming.

Keep your morning open for the full 6.5 hours. The trip length includes transfers and time on the boat, and the search can stretch if whale sharks are not found quickly. Do not schedule an important afternoon appointment too close to the expected return.

The activity is offered with an English-speaking live guide. That is useful for safety instructions and for understanding how to approach the animals. Listen carefully when the crew explains where to enter and how to keep a respectful distance. The best encounter is one that protects both you and the shark.

Booking flexibility and hotel coverage

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some breathing room while you firm up your Palawan plans.

Pickup and drop-off cover the same nine named locations, including the airport and several Puerto Princesa hotels. Confirm your selected location and pickup time when you book, then be in the lobby early. The short five-minute driver waiting limit makes punctuality essential.

The tour is operated by Wild Expeditions Travel and Tours. The supplied information does not provide a group-size limit, exact departure time, boat specifications, or a detailed menu, so ask about those points if they matter to you.

Should you book the Puerto Princesa whale shark cruise?

Book it if you want a serious chance to swim near wild whale sharks and you value an approach that does not rely on feeding. The strongest days can be extraordinary, with several animals, repeated water entries, and even dolphins appearing near the boat. The guides’ work with local fishermen gives the search a practical edge.

Skip it if a sighting is non-negotiable, if you dislike long periods on open water, or if you want a relaxed beach cruise with fixed stops. The $60 price is fair for the included transfers, boat, lunch, equipment, and guide, but the emotional value depends heavily on nature cooperating.

My advice is to book this as a wildlife day, not as a guaranteed attraction. Bring patience, protect yourself from the sun, listen to the crew, and let the whale sharks decide how close the encounter becomes.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Princesa whale shark cruise last?

The activity lasts 6.5 hours, including the boat outing and the hotel pickup and drop-off arrangements.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from nine listed Puerto Princesa locations, including the Puerto Princesa International Airport and several hotels.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat sets out from Baywalk in Puerto Princesa.

Is a whale shark sighting guaranteed?

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

What equipment is provided?

A mask, snorkel, and fins are provided for the water portion of the activity.

What should I bring?

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