Scubareefing
Though we feel that the local people here rely a lot on whale shark watching tourism, in order to sustain their livelihood, they have to feed whale sharks every morning from as early as 6am in morning till 11am in the morning. However, the whale sharks here are so accustomed to the daily feeding habits, so they reside near here. Should this practice be encouraged? Should Whale sharks be let free to go hunt for food on their own. Corals are not in good conditions here, due to the high tourism influx crowds numbers flocking here just to swim, and watch the whale sharks. Totally, not much corals on surface coast levels to be seen, just rocks.
Went Snorkeling and also Scuba diving with whale sharks, with local tourism operators @ Oslob, Cebu and also with Deep Zone Dive Center's dive instructor ~ Travelled by bus, trishaw, taxi and truck drivers transport, just for more than 8 hrs in order to reach there to Oslob, Cebu, Philippines. Transportation lines are not very efficient and smooth here @ Cebu, Philippines.
550 pesos for locals, 1050 pesos for foreigners for the whale sharks snorkelling fees, but actually the distance to shore is v near, short boat ride, the costs shouldn't be so expensive to the foreigners. Scuba diving costs about 1500 Pesos for each dive and the marine park fees also another additional 1500 pesos. Total is 3,000 Pesos for one dive with whale sharks.
4m of distance length from the proximity of whale sharks, to give them space to roam and swim, while they are being fed with fish baits, during the feeding sessions. No touching and no riding on them. Beautiful whale sharks, we saw 4 of them here @ Oslob. :)
So much crowds from the neighbouring countries regions flock here just to swim, snorkel and dive with whale sharks.
Both of us, we think that its expensive for foreigners to come here snorkel with whale sharks when snorkelling should be free, or maybe a small min. fee, max. 1000 pesos and not 1,500 pesos, towards the marine park conservation fees.
