Puerto Princesa: Swim with Whale Sharks Boat Cruise

Whale sharks set the pace. This six-and-a-half-hour cruise from Puerto Princesa gives you a chance to swim with the world’s largest fish in open water, rather than at a feeding site. I especially like the crew’s reported ethical approach and its use of local fishermen to help locate sharks without feeding them. I also like that the price includes hotel transport, lunch, and snorkeling gear.

The main catch is simple: sightings are never guaranteed. You may spend much of the day searching, and sea conditions can cancel the trip. At $60 per person, the package offers good value if you see a whale shark, but you need to book it as a wildlife search, not a guaranteed aquarium-style encounter.

Key points before you book

• Wild whale sharks, not fed animals: The crew searches for sharks in their natural setting and does not feed them to attract them.
• Local sighting network: Boat staff work with local fishermen who share recent information about shark activity.
• Several water entries are possible: One recent outing included about eight swims, while other trips have involved seeing two or five whale sharks.
• A full six-and-a-half-hour day: Hotel pickup, the boat ride, the search, swimming time, lunch, and return transport all fit into one long outing.
• Lunch and equipment are included: You receive a picnic lunch plus a mask, snorkel, and fins.
• A good value package, with real risk: The $60 price covers the main practical costs, but nature can still say no.

Why this Puerto Princesa whale shark trip is different

Swimming with a whale shark is a powerful experience. These enormous fish move with surprising calm, and their size becomes clear only when you are in the water beside one. The tour takes you off the coast of Puerto Princesa, where the aim is to find wild animals rather than bring them to a fixed viewing spot.

That distinction matters. The crew does not feed the sharks, so there is no promise that an animal will appear on schedule. You are joining a search at sea, using current local information and natural signs such as birds and schools of fish. I consider that a more responsible way to see wildlife, but it also requires patience and a willingness to accept an empty result.

The experience has earned a 4.1 out of 5 rating from 93 reviews. The strongest praise centers on three things: the crew’s effort, the ethical setup, and the quality of the encounters when sharks are found. Several people describe seeing two or more whale sharks, and one reported five. Another outing included dolphins playing near the front of the boat.

Hotel pickup and the run to Baywalk

The day begins with pickup from one of 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.

Hotel pickup is valuable here because the boat trip is only one part of the day. You do not need to arrange a separate ride to the departure area at Baywalk, and return transport is included too. That makes the $60 fee easier to judge, especially if you are staying at one of the listed properties.

You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup. The driver waits no longer than five minutes after the pickup time, so this is not the moment for a leisurely breakfast or a last-minute shower. Check your exact pickup point when booking, since the airport is included among the options and may suit you if your schedule lines up.

The drive itself is transport rather than a sightseeing stop. I would keep your morning simple, bring your swimming clothes under your regular clothes, and have your identification ready. A card or copy of an ID is accepted.

Local fishermen help guide the search

Once the boat leaves Baywalk, the main task begins: finding a whale shark in open water. The crew keeps in touch with local fishermen, who pass along recent sightings. This local network gives the boat a better chance than simply heading out at random.

The search also depends on reading the sea. One particularly useful account described the crew looking for birds, since birds can signal fish below, and fish can attract whale sharks. That detail gives you a better idea of the day’s character. You are not heading to a marked pen where sharks wait for boats. You are watching, waiting, and following clues.

This is also where the tour can test your patience. One person described the day as long when the sharks did not appear early. That is fair warning. The boat may spend a substantial stretch moving across the water before the crew gets a reliable sighting.

I like the honesty of this arrangement. The crew works hard, but nobody can control wild animals. If your schedule allows only one possible wildlife outing in Palawan, you should understand that the result may be wonderful, modest, or disappointing.

Entering the water beside a whale shark

When a shark is located, the crew helps you enter the water and gives instructions for swimming near it. You use the included mask, snorkel, and fins, then keep a respectful distance as the shark moves through the sea.

The descriptions of successful outings are impressive. One group entered the water around eight times, with the boat positioned so swimmers could see the sharks soon after entering. Other accounts describe two whale sharks at once, or five during a single trip. Those numbers are not promises, but they show how varied the encounter can be.

The whale shark is the world’s largest fish, yet the appeal is not only its size. It is the sight of a calm animal gliding through clear water while you float nearby. The crew’s role is important because timing and positioning matter. You need to know when to enter, where to look, and how to avoid crowding the animal.

The experience suits confident swimmers and people comfortable with snorkeling in open water. The supplied information does not give a detailed swimming requirement, so you should ask the operator directly if you have concerns about your ability in the sea. Guides are present to help, but this is still a marine activity, not a shallow-water animal encounter.

The crew’s biggest strength: patience and effort

The crew receives some of the warmest praise attached to this outing. The staff are described as passionate, energetic, kind, and experienced at spotting and tracking whale sharks. Their work continues even when the first search produces nothing.

That effort affects the whole day. A crew that stays alert can make better use of local reports and natural signs. It can also position the boat well when a shark appears, which may give you more than one chance to enter the water.

I would not book this experience expecting a quiet boat ride with little guidance. The staff are actively searching and giving instructions. That is good news if you want a focused wildlife outing. It may feel tiring if you hoped for a short, easy excursion with guaranteed action.

Communication before departure has also been praised, which is useful when pickup details matter. Still, I would confirm the meeting time and hotel location in advance. A smooth start is especially important when the driver’s waiting window is only five minutes.

Lunch on a long day at sea

A picnic lunch is included in the price. That small detail becomes more important as the hours pass. If the search takes time, you will appreciate having food arranged rather than needing to return to shore or carry a full meal yourself.

The food has received positive comments, with descriptions of a tasty lunch and a good meal on board. The exact menu is not provided, so you should not plan around a particular dish. If you have dietary restrictions, ask ahead of time.

Lunch also gives the day a useful pause. After swimming or waiting through a long search, you can eat while the crew continues managing the boat and watching for signs of marine life. The package is not just a short swim followed by an immediate return. It is a full boat outing with food built in.

Bring sunscreen and swimwear, and choose biodegradable sunscreen as requested. A hat or light cover-up may also be sensible, although those items are not listed as inclusions. You should pack only what you need because the experience centers on moving between the boat and the water.

Dolphins and other marine life

Whale sharks are the main reason to book, but they may not be the only animals you see. One successful trip also encountered dolphins that played near the front of the boat. The crew followed them for a short time before continuing the search.

That kind of bonus is part of the charm of a wild outing. You may see dolphins, birds, or other marine life while looking for the main attraction. None of it is guaranteed, but it gives the boat ride more value when the sharks remain out of sight.

The key is to keep your expectations flexible. I would treat the whale shark encounter as the hoped-for highlight, not the only possible worthwhile moment. The open-water setting creates uncertainty, but it also allows for unscripted sightings that a fixed attraction cannot offer.

Is $60 good value?

At $60 per person, the price includes the items that often add up on a day trip: hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat tour, lunch, and a mask, snorkel, and fins. You also receive an English-speaking guide and the benefit of a crew working with local fishermen to search for sharks.

If you see one or more whale sharks and receive several chances to enter the water, the value is strong. Some outings have produced repeated swims and multiple animals, making the price reasonable for a major Palawan experience.

The value is harder to defend if no shark appears, although the boat, food, transport, and guided search still take place. This is not a refund-on-no-sighting activity based on the information provided. You are paying for the organized attempt and the chance to see wild animals, not for a guaranteed result.

I would compare this price with your own priorities. If ethical wildlife viewing matters to you, the non-feeding approach may justify the cost even with some uncertainty. If you need a guaranteed animal encounter, this is a risky choice.

Timing, weather, and what can go wrong

The listed duration is six and a half hours. That is long enough for a proper search, several possible swims, lunch, and transport, but it also means you should not schedule another major activity too close to the return time.

Sea conditions can cancel the trip. This is a safety issue, not a minor inconvenience, so keep some flexibility in your Puerto Princesa schedule. The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still changing.

Even on a day with good weather, the sharks may not cooperate. They are wild and are not fed. I would choose a day when you can handle a slow search, rather than booking this immediately before an important flight or fixed appointment.

Babies under one year old are not suitable for the activity. The tour information does not provide a broader accessibility description, so contact Wild Expeditions Travel and Tours directly with questions about mobility, swimming ability, or medical needs.

Who should book this experience?

I think this trip is best for you if you:

• Want a genuine wild-animal encounter rather than a guaranteed display
• Are comfortable snorkeling in open water
• Can give a full six-and-a-half-hour day to the activity
• Care about avoiding feeding practices
• Appreciate having transport, lunch, and gear arranged
• Can accept that weather or animal behavior may change the plan

It is less suitable if you have very little time in Puerto Princesa, dislike long boat searches, or need certainty before paying for an activity. It may also be a poor fit if you are not comfortable entering the sea, since the central activity is swimming near whale sharks.

The experience also works well for people who want a special highlight in Palawan. The reports of repeated swims, multiple sharks, and dolphins show what the day can deliver when conditions and timing cooperate. Just remember that the best moments come from patience, not a guaranteed schedule.

Should you book the Puerto Princesa whale shark cruise?

I would book this tour if you value ethical wildlife encounters and can accept a real chance of no whale shark sighting. The local search network, active crew, included equipment, lunch, and hotel transport make the $60 price reasonable.

I would skip it if your itinerary is too tight or if a missed sighting would ruin your trip. For everyone else, this is a worthwhile gamble: not because the outcome is certain, but because the search respects the animals and can lead to one of Palawan’s most memorable marine experiences.

FAQ

How long does the whale shark cruise last?

The activity lasts 6.5 hours, including the boat outing, wildlife search, possible swimming time, lunch, and transport arrangements.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $60 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from nine listed locations in Puerto Princesa.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat sets out from Baywalk in Puerto Princesa.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, and fins are included for use during the activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a picnic lunch on the boat.

Are whale shark sightings guaranteed?

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

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, and an ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted. Wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup, since the driver waits no longer than five minutes after the scheduled time.