This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. More information.
When we were planning our itinerary in the Philippines, Oslob on Cebu kept coming up as a must‑do: a guaranteed chance to swim with whale sharks. But the more we researched, the more uneasy we felt – not because the animals are impressive, but because of how the experience works. In the end, we decided that for us Oslob is not worth visiting, and I want to share why to help you plan an enjoyable trip.
The fundamental issue with Oslob
The whale sharks in Oslob are fed to attract tourists
In Oslob, whale sharks are fed shrimp every day to attract them for tourists. This practice, known as provisioning, is widely criticised by marine biologists because it alters natural behaviour. Even if the food provided isn’t enough to make the whale sharks fully dependent on humans, it’s enough to disrupt their migration and natural feeding patterns.
Whale sharks are migratory animals by nature, but in Oslob some individuals now stay year-round because they know food will be provided. Coming from Australia, we’re used to being told that feeding wild animals can have negative impacts on them and their ecosystem, so this didn’t feel right for us.
Many find it overcrowded
We met a few travellers during our trip who went swimming with whale sharks in Oslob and felt there were too many swimmers and boats in the interaction area for a comfortable or respectful experience. Oslob operates with rules meant to protect the sharks, but many visitors don’t follow the guidelines. These kinds of behaviours tend to ruin wildlife experiences for us, and since we don’t like crowds, it didn’t sound like the right experience for us.
Better places to see whale sharks
If seeing whale sharks in the wild is high on your travel wish list but like us, you’re not attracted by the Oslob way, there are alternatives where encounters are natural, seasonal, better regulated and less crowded – and importantly, not based on feeding the animals:
- Donsol (Sorsogon, Philippines): A WWF‑recommended destination in the Philippines.
- Southern Leyte (Philippines): Often cited as the best place in the Philippines for ethical whale shark encounters.
- Puerto Princesa (Palawan, Philippines): Another seasonal whale shark destination with a focus on wild encounters.
- Western Australia (Ningaloo Reef): One of the world’s most respected places to swim with whale sharks during their migration season – but it’s pricey!
Yes, you might not see a shark there – and that’s part of the deal with responsible wildlife tourism. We’d rather support destinations built around seasonal encounters, even if that means fewer guarantees and a bit more uncertainty. Just make sure you go at the right season, as whale sharks migrate.
Not sure which destinations to include in your Philippines itinerary? These comparisons might help you decide: Bohol vs Moalboal (Cebu), Moalboal vs Malapascua and Moalboal vs Oslob. You can also check out my article Which island to visit in the Philippines? How to choose.
How about Lila in Bohol?
Although it may seem like a quieter option than Oslob, we read that Lila had copied the Oslob model, feeding whale sharks to guarantee sightings. For that reason, we decided to avoid it, even though Bohol was on our itinerary.
When we visited, it seemed that whale shark feeding had been banned in Bohol, which reinforces the idea that this type of practice can be harmful.
So is Oslob worth visiting?
No, we recommend not including Oslob on your Philippines itinerary. Between the feeding of whalesharks and the overcrowded conditions, it didn’t feel like the kind of wildlife experience we wanted to support. It sounded more like a “photo opportunity” and not a true wild encounter for us. If you want to see whale sharks in a way that respects the animals and gives you space to enjoy the moment, consider visiting one of the alternatives instead.
