The once quiet town of Donsol is renowned as the birthplace of whale shark tourism in the nation, having witnessed the initial sightings of these enormous yet gentle marine creatures.

Following a groundbreaking encounter in 1997, scuba divers captured footage showing engagement with the whale sharks—previously thought to be perilous—signifying the dawn of regulated eco-tourism and increased media focus. Since then, Donsol has transformed into a premier tourist destination now recognized as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World.”

The whale shark encounters happen primarily in the waters off Barangay Dancalan, a coastal barangay that now serves as the main jump-off point for butanding (whale shark) interaction tours. The center typically operates with three daily schedules for tours: 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 1:30 PM.

Dancalan hosts the Donsol Tourism Office where visitors register and attend a short briefing before the tour. It is also home to resorts which cater to marine ecotourists—great options for immersive travel experiences.

Interactions with the whale sharks are regulated by the local tourism office and WWF-Philippines. These guidelines are rigorously enforced to ensure the safety of both humans and the whale sharks, as well as to foster sustainable, eco-friendly, and respectful wildlife tourism.