I never thought I would finally meet Butanding (local name for whale sharks; Scientific name: Rhincodon Typus) You see, I’ve been planning it for the last three years but I always end up cancelling my trip for one reason or another. Finally, on March 25th of 2012, I got to see these gentle giants of the sea.
Our very own picture of the Butanding taken last March 25, 2012
Donsol, Sorsogon can be reached via Legazpi City in Albay. From Manila, it is a 45-minute plane ride to Legaspi City Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, there are lots of tricycles waiting to take you to the Legaspi City Grand Terminal (known more as the Satellite Market) where Donsol-bound vans are available.
The Legaspi Grand Central Terminal
After about an hour and a half of travelling, my friends and I finally reached Donsol. It was past four in the afternoon. Instead of heading directly to the resort to check-in, we were advised by the tricycle driver named Rey that we go directly first to the tourist center to register and attend the brief orientation due to a large influx of tourists.
Donsol Tourist Center
Good thing we listened to the unsolicited advice of Kuya Rey, our tricycle driver. Originally, our plan is to check-in at the resort first then go to the tourist center early in the morning the following day to register. True enough, there were lots of tourists who already registered.
We were assigned on the second batch where the boat leaves at 10:30 AM. We were all disappointed upon hearing this. Butanding interaction takes about 3-4 hours. This would mean extending our stay in the resort for 3 more hours which could mean a hole in our pocket as well as ruining our planned itinerary. Seeing the disappointment in our faces, the tourist officer explained that even if we’re listed on the second batch, they still operate on a first come first served basis. Meaning, boats leave on the dot and will take the group who comes in early and ready to go and at the waiting area.
After registration, we were asked to listen to the orientation. The orientation is a short video about the do’s and dont’s during Butanding Interaction. Below is a summary of the rules and regulations.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
1) Do not touch or ride the Whale Shark.
2) Do not restrict the movement of the Whale Shark, or impede its natural path.
3) Maintain a distance of 3 meters from the head or body of the Whale Shark, and 4 meters from its tail.
4) Do not use flash photography.
5) Do not use SCUBA gear, scooters, jet skis or any other motorized underwater propulsion machines.
6) A maximum of six (6) swimmers per Whale Shark is allowed and only one (1) boat per Whale Shark.
Code of Conduct Banner at the Waiting Area
Saturday comes. At exactly seven o’clock in the morning, we were already at the tourist center. Only two groups were early, a group of tourists from Europe and us. After about a few minutes, our group was asked to ride in a boat. We were all excited and happy! Indeed, the early bird catches the early worm…in this case, the Butanding.
The Early Birds!
Whale shark interaction costs P3,500 per boat with a maximum capacity of 6 people. The price of the boat also includes the Skipper, the Spotter and the Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO). The Skipper is the one who steers the boat for the tour, the Spotter is the one who stands at the bow and serves as the lookout for whale sharks, and the BIO is the one who directs the whale shark interaction.
The Spotter is the one who stands at the bow
The BIO gave us a brief orientation while on the boat. He asked if we know how to swim. None of us raised our hands. He asked who needs assistance during interaction. All of us raised our hands. Poor BIO! Tsk Tsk Tsk. What we have is just sheer guts and courage that we can do it as long as we have a life vest and snorkeling gear.
Excited!
After about an hour, the BIO signaled for us all to sit on one side of the edge of the boat. This is it, I said to myself. We were all nervous. I was very nervous my legs were shaking. Just the thought of jumping into the water and the boat leaving us so we can have a moment’s glory with the Butanding is scary! At that moment, I wish I had never committed myself to this wild whale-shark encounter.
Obviously this is not us! Lol! A borrowed picture to show you how we’re supposed to be seated on one side of the edge of the boat before the BIO says “Jump”.
The dreaded word “JUMP” came out from the BIO’s mouth. OMG! This is really it! I am so scared! Somehow, I found myself jumping in the water. The BIO said to look down and I saw the polka-dotted silvery tail-end of the whale shark. It was huge! Just the lower part of its trunk was enough to mesmerize me. When I looked down, everything seemed to stop – time, noise, people – the world seemed to stop revolving.
Again, a picture of a group (not us) after the jump while swimming with the Butanding. This is also how I imagined we look like! hehehe
Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand. I looked up and saw our BIO. It seemed that I was too caught up in its beauty that I forgot I need to swim to keep up with the butanding who is gently moving away from me. With the BIO holding my hand while swimming fast and tagging me along with him, I cannot contain my excitement. At last, I would finally be able to swim beside the butanding just like what I saw in videos/youtube.This, I said to myself, is my moment with the butanding : )
My dream was short-lived though. Half-way in chasing the butanding, my snorkeling gear went askew. I struggled to adjust my gear but the snorkeling tube came off and I ended up with just my mask on. The BIO, unaware of what’s happening was still holding my hand and tagging me along with him. With only my mask on, I keep drinking sea water. My lungs felt like bursting. When the BIO realized what’s happening, he stopped immediately and made sure I am fine. I was coughing and breathing so loudly due to exhaustion and lots of water intake. I got my moments though – a different kind of moment.
Tired and thirsty after the first jump
My experience did not deter me from going into the water again. We will go for the second sighting. This time, I made sure that my mask is secured and that I can breathe through my snorkeling gear. When I looked down, I didn’t see anything at first and then out of nowhere came the butanding. The butanding swam just a few meters under me and I can see its whole body gracefully gliding in the water. I did not see its famous wide mouth because it’s not swimming opposite me but rather we’re of the same parallel direction. If only I know how to swim, I would be able to at least snatch a few more minutes with this gentle whale-shark. This time I got my moments with the Butanding.
Taken from our underwater camera
I got a full view of this butanding on my second jump
Good thing I conquered my fear. It’s actually the thought of going down in the middle of the sea, jumping into the water so you can interact with these whale sharks, and being left by the boat for a few minutes which makes the thing scary. But the experience itself was incomparable. It was breathtaking! Awesome! Wonderful! I could go on and on describing its magnificent beauty.
A good 10-minute walk from the tourist center on our way back to the resort. We opted to walk and enjoy the fresh air and scenery.
Look at these Tres Marias! They picked flowers on our way back when no one was looking hehehe.
A picture of me at AGM Resort – the place where we stayed
My butanding encounter is the best animal encounter I’ve experienced in my whole life so far. I will definitely go back…