Donsol Visitors Center

The Donsol Visitors Center, situated 1.5km north of the river bridge (by tricycle from town), is the place to go. The experience is quite regimented – it has to be, given the well-being of the animals, the number of visitors and the need to rotate boat crews fairly – and access to the whale sharks is limited to a maximum of 25 boats. During the busy Holy Week, you will be lucky to get a look in; so it is best to avoid this time if you can. This is how the process went when we visited. First, pay your registration fee (Filipino/foreigner P100/300). Second, book a boat. This costs P3500 for a maximum of seven, and includes the services of a Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO) and the boat crew; staff will try to match smaller groups and individual travellers to help cut costs. Third, get a boarding pass, which the BIO will deal with. Step four is a briefing and short documentary. Then off you go! The centre may close earlier (in the day or the season) if weather is bad or otherwise if there are no visitors.