Warning: Must be a true adventurer to participate.
Disclaimer: this trip was a complete and utter waste of money that could have been spent on other things like soap, but it was an adventure of epic proportions. Amazing people, breathtaking sights and unexpected surprises. Did everything go according to plan?
THERE WAS NO PLAN.
Unlike most of my adventures where I meticulously plot out the itinerary, contact hostels and go into deep research on the places we are going to. For this trip I let fate and strangers decide, all I knew was that I was going to go to Southern Leyte to dive with whale sharks and dive in the local reef with other freedivers from Sawum( The freediving community in Cebu going to Leyte to dive with whale sharks too). I had only learned that we were gonna camp out in the a beach when we hopped on the boat to leyte. As far as adventures go it was starting out to be epically random.
A few weeks ago I had talked to my friend @carlo-files about diving with whale sharks. That it was on the “list” but I didn’t want to do it in Oslob where they feed the sharks and the migration pattern is disrupted due to constant feeding leaving the whale shark population in the area to be unhealthy. So when Adventure Southern Leyte (The official tourism page of Maasin and the Southern Leyte region), was hosting an event inviting writers, bloggers and photographers to their area in the town of Pintuyan to go see the whale sharks in their natural habitat. Without hesitation I told my dive buddy that we had to go and do it!
We hopped on a ferry from Cebu City leaving at 10pm on Feb 2 (Friday) and arrived in the port of Hilongos, Leyte by 3am the next day. From Hilongos we got on a van and travelled for an hour to Maasin City where the tourism office said we will meet up by 7am. Once in Maasin we had a really early breakfast in the bus stop while killing time. When the bus to Pintuyan arrived we were surprised to be greeted by the Provincial Bus taking us on a two hour ride to the town of Pintuyan.
Pintuyan is 127km away from Maasin city, it is a small town where the whale sharks stop over as part of their annual migration staying in the area from the months of November to May to feed in the plankton other organisms provided by the area’s rich ecosystem. When we arrived in the town center a community leader explained to us the rules when interacting with whale sharks. He had also warned us that there are days when the whale sharks will remain unseen because of several factors such as weather and sea currents, which got me a bit worried.
Hopping on the boat it had been drizzling. I was scared that we might not be able to cross this off our list and the whole trip would be a waste of time and money. An hour into the open water we saw a fin and everyone jumped into the water to swim, snorkel and dive with the whale sharks. We not only saw one but four whale sharks in total.
Big and small it was an amazing sight to see them in their natural habitat. As snorkelers stayed at the surface we freedivers went down deep with them, literally chasing whale sharks. Seeing these majestic creatures up close I was in awe.
After a couple hours we got back to shore and talked to the locals and learned the stories of whale Sharks in the area. For one, Whale sharks are known as “tiki-tiki” in Cebuano and not the commonly used term “Butanding” which is the tagalog term. The whole experience has become a community effort where the husbands association KASAKA would guide the visitors and drive the boats while Sea Breeze Women’s Association consists of the wives prepare meals and souvenirs. Even the regional tourism office is involved in marketing this adventure providing transport options to this otherwise remote area.
The locals truly appreciate and respect the animal. They let it roam free and let the whale sharks do their own thing. They tell the guests ahead that it is not an assured experience because the whale sharks are not fed as if they are zoo animals. The boatman is excited every time we find one of the Whale Sharks asking us how big or how deep it was as we get back on the boat to find the next one. The wives at shore talk about the animal with awe, even sharing stories that at one point thirteen whale sharks were feeding at shore. It is this community effort and excitement not only for the business it brings but also for the gentle creatures that frequent their shores that bring a greater appreciation of not only diving with the whale sharks but also of the community.
As we packed up out things we got back on the bus and bid whale sharks and the people goodbye and extended our thanks. Now if you wish to go there for the whale shark experience alone the bus will bring you back to Maasin City where you can ride a ferry home or take another bus to Hilongos if you prefer that route.
The adventure continues…
However, this adventure was far from over. Since I was in the company of other freedivers one dive is not enough to satisfy our cravings for the sea. Our companion Lester who is from the region had taken us to the town of San Francisco, to barangay Napantao where he had volunteered in a reef conservation area called Coral Cay, where you have to hike a few minutes as potpot/tricycle drivers will not go down the steep road. We arrived there just in time for sunset seeing beautiful waters which we’d later learn to be a great big reef for miles on end.
As dusk turned dark we pitched our tents and made a camp fire, sharing stories, food, booze and laughter. Strangers who came together for the love of adventure.
We started off early the next day in anticipation of a great dive, greeted by pink skies as the sun was breaking through. This protected marine habitat is home to hundreds of different fish, local volunteers in the conservation center even say that the rich biodiversity and unique undersea terrain allows some deep-sea creatures to venture into the reef in rare occasions like the Sunfish and Oarfish. Not too far from shore you will be able to see massive corals and fish of different types, sizes and colours.
All seven of us in one tricycle everyone bringing along big bags for fins, clothes and equipment. This was a far cry from the posh bus-ride getting here but onward the adventure goes!
We still had to ride a jeep to the next town where we can get on a bus back to Maasin, and this time we decided to ride on top of the jeep. You don’t often get this chance so as adventurers we took it! We got to see the vast green landscape of Southern Leyte, a real highlight of the trip if I must say!
We arrived to the town of Sogod and got on the bus to Maasin where we will board a ferry back to Cebu. The boat ride was low key, we got to review our footage and pictures, talk about the adventure, had a few beers and saw the stars.
Looking back this adventure had been so epically unplanned, Amazing people, breathtaking sights and unexpected surprises.
The dive crew
group photo by underwater photographer (instagram) @badjaw_
The Budget:
Cebu-Hilongos Ferry:350PHP/7.00USD
Hilongos-Maasin Van: 30PHP/0.60USD
Maasin-Pintuyan Bus: Free
Whale Shark Inetaction : 700PHP/14.00USD
Lunch:100PHP/2USD
Maasin-San Fransisco Bus:Free
Dinner and Breakfast for camping @1,700PHP among 10 pax: 170PHP/3.40USD
San Fransisco-Liloan Tricycle @200PHP among 7 pax: 29PHP/0.60USD
Liloan-Sogod Jeepney Ride: 50PHP/1.00USD
Sogod-Maasin Bus: 60PHP/1.20USD
Maasin-Cebu Ferry: 350PHP/7.00USD
TOTAL:1840.00PHP/36.80USD
Travel Tips
Bring power banks, if you wanna keep your gadgets alive bring a really big reliable power bank and an extra for good measure. I only brought one which barely got me through the trip, even if you know you’re staying at hostel, bring an extra one anyway. I brought only one because I didn’t know we were going camping.
Bring water always. Staying hydrated is a must if you wanna survive.
Bring Snacks, preferably cookies. Avoid salty junk food that make you thirsty, cookies and crackers are a good snack specially after diving to keep your sugar levels up.
Pack light, if you can fit everything into one bag or in my case fit the other bags into the big fin bag. Its easier when travelling around and you won’t end up forgetting anything.
When you’re on an adventure where there is no plan, go with it. Ride it, experience everything and savour it. The best adventures are the one left unplanned. Its moments like this that are worth living for.
If you have any questions or wish to dive with whale sharks too, feel free to leave a comment.
Please spread the word, share it with your friends, resteem. This experience is meant to be shared and experienced. There is so much to be seen in Southern Leyte, and I thank Adventure Southern Leyte the Local tourism unit for this experience!
’Til the next adventure, thanks for reading! Stay awesome!!
oh, you've been to my place, almost..
Macrohon is my home town and that is next from Maasin city Going to Pintuyan,
I hope you enjoy your visit in my place and proudly Southern leytenous here
Yes on the ride back I noticed several dive resorts! Hope I can visit soon! The region has a lot of beautiful landscapes and dive sites!!!
Awesome!
I've been wanting to swim with whale sharks but I just couldn't bring myself to do it in Oslob as I didn't want to condone the practice of interfering with nature. I feel that it's too commercialized there and that I might not be able to feel it's naturalness, so it's great to know that there's this community who respects and preserves the natural environment of the whale sharks while keeping it open to the public. Looking forward to visit it soon!
Cool blog, great photos and a very informative post!
Rock on @davids-tales! :)
Same here I tried in oslob once like 5 years ago before I learned the effects of baited feeding on the Whale Sharks but the experience in leyte was do natural and much more worth the experience! And the anticipation of looking for the tiki-tiki is just more fun!!
yeah, and it's so expensive uie. I'm not sure it's worth the price cause I heard you can only swim with the whale sharks for a few minutes. So Leyte it is! But I gotta have diving lessons first. hahaha
30 min lang for 500php! Ang freediving lessons can be for free!! Pm me when you wanna basin naay sched ang sawum people for intro to freediving!
Nice! will do! kung naa na time (and money) haha
thanks much!
Oh my this looks amazing! I am doing a whale shark tour in Oslob next month but now I wish I could go here! Thank you for all the budgeting and tips! I love when fellow travel bloggers include such useful information so keep it up! :) Also fantastic pictures! What camera do you use for under water photos?
Thanks!! I try to include costs and other tips as much as possible, specially if its nog too expensive, more people will probably visit!
I use go pro hero5 for my underwater photos! 😊
This is curie-worthy! The photos were awesome!
It would be an added bonus if the photos were captioned. It's just a suggestion though. It makes them complement your story while being able to stand on their own.
Thank you!! Thought it would be too long with captions 😊 will try it next time!
im currently uploading photosets tho for people who just wanna check out the photos as well as other photos of the same theme 😉 currently have sunset photoset and pink sunrise uploaded 😊
See! I'm right all along. This post is exceptional. Congrats on your second curie!
By the way, I saw your photosets and they're mesmerizing. Keep it up!
Thank you!!!! I'm out of words! Hahaha im still overwhelmed!
Wa na, you're my senpai na jud ;-; I've never been to see whale sharks ever. I guess it's cuz I'm pretty conflicted since they are such gentle creatures that I think it's best if I leave them alone lol. Now that I found how affordable it is, I might even give it a chance if I find the time.
Btw, did you use a waterproof housing for your camera?
They are really gentle, you should check it out if you get the time gyud! Awesome and gentle creatures!!
Used a go pro with housing 😁
Amazing gyud imong trip @davids-tales. I was waiting for this post.
Thanks!! The trip was really amazing! Still have a bit of adventure hang over to be honest! Haha
Did you meet Jason? A free/scubadiver from Sogod. He asked me if I wanted to tag along in this exact same trip so it is such coincidence that I'm reading about this on steemit!!! 😂
I met Lester sometime last year for a certain project with Sawum. Also spent four months at Napantao as volunteer science officer for Coral Cay. That place is just full of magic. Your photos of Pintuyan and whale sharks and that rolling road down to CCC base brings back so many memories and I'm crying because I'm dying to go back. Miss diving in that house reef and doing bonfires by the beach 😢
Yes i met jason in coral cay when we camped there! We dived together!!
I love the reef in napantao!!! 10/10 would come back! So much more to see! Hope i can come back soon! The current was strong so we werent able to go to south wall this time. Hope we can dive together soon!!
Now I miss the Napantao people so badly and definitely going back there soon. We could plan something out so I can introduce you to Tippy the resident reef shark at South Wall (yes, I named her! haha) and the other regulars: Fred the marbled grouper and Stevie the hawksbill turtle.
I'm following you now and upvoting all your Southern Leyte posts even if it means it's making me an emotional trainwreck and planning to pull the whole quit-your-corporate-job-and-live-in-the-beach stunt all over again. :D :D :D
Yes one morning dive was not enough for me to see everything!! Need to come back soon!
At this point I just wanna save up enough money and work on the blog so i can do the quit-your-corpo-job-and-travel stunt! Haha people like us cant sit behind a desk forever!!
I have tried swimming with the whale sharks in oslob but that wasnt such a great experience. I believe you mentioned how they are not fed with uyap (or was it someone else) which is really great (for the sharks nd for your nose; the smell is horrid in oslob though). Excellent read. I find that some travels are much better when they are unplanned
Yes, the whale sharks were not fed and they dont stay whole year round keeping them healthy and on track on their migration patterns! And the interaction can last for 3-4 hours compared to the 30 mins in oslob 😉
This was a really epic unplanned trip! 😁
Wow what a great experience! I will definitely research about this place since I have a month of travel left after my voluntary year, I have to go there! It is the absolute dream of a scuba diver, you are so lucky that you could experience these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Awesome pictures!
Thanks @m1r1!! If you get the chance to go to Napantao and scuba dive there I'm sure you will enjoy it!!
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Wow! Thank you!!! Glad to know the numbers! 😊
Thanks for sharing David! I hope I can try this one soon! :)
Wow, this is cool @davids-tales, I'm from Southern Leyte, thank you for visiting Pintuyan, there are lots of diving sites in the Province, like the Napantao fish sanctuary in San Francisco, Pilada Rock in Silago and a lot more.
That just means I have so much more to come back too!!! 😍😍😍
yeah you do sir @davids-tales, and I think I can help you find the right guy to talk with about diving sites in the province.
Hopefully i can come back sooner!!
Hope so man. God bless.
Wow I wish I could go there soonest. But there is another place here in the Philippines here in Cebu south at OSLOB you can explore sight seeing where big whales roaming around in the sea of Oslob. People called them BUTANGDING
Yes I am from Cebu and I have tried Oslob the experience in Pintuyan truly is different as the whale sharks are able to roam free. They are not fed uyap. Baited feeding like the practice in Oslob is highly discouraged among the diving community. It is unhealthy for the whale sharks and greatly disrupts their migration patterns. In oslob the whale sharks are fed as if they are zoo animals staying in the area way longer than the usual migration pattern.
We must be responsible tourists as well and respect the animal. Oslob has made the whale sharks a commodity which I feel strongly against.
Beautify post! And detailed itinerary! Very helpful! Upvoted, resteemed and followed you :)