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i swim with whale sharks on a daily basis. probably not what you’re talking about though. If you have any questions, i’ll be happy to chat with ya.
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Sorry but there is no frolic, you swim like hell until your legs or air run out :)
There is Holbox where you have a 100% chance of seeing them, Utila where your chance is about 98% or the Galapagos where it’s about 95% but they are bigger.
My best Mola-mola encounter was a chance meet in NJ of all places, there are other places like Bali where they can be seen in season.
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VG - 12/22/2013 4:23 PM 
From tardmaster: tardmaster - 1 hour 7 minutes ago.
i swim with whale sharks on a daily basis. probably not what you’re talking about though. If you have any questions, i’ll be happy to chat with ya.
Hi Tardmaster (nice moniker)
Educate me please! IS there more than one whale shark? Where do you swim/dive with them daily? I have lots of questions! :)
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VG - 12/22/2013 4:25 PM
From LatitudeAdjustment: My best Mola-mola encounter was a chance meet in NJ of all places
Hi LatitudeAdjustment,
I am not at all surprised about your encounter in the Atlantic off of the NJ shores. According to tagging/monitering that is done there is a large contingency of these sweeties [Mola Mola: in that area.
Did you meet up with them on the surface? Or, were you at a depth. How big would you say your meet up Mola buddy was? Oh, I am so envious!
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From VG: Did you meet up with them on the surface? Or, were you at a depth. How big would you say your meet up Mola buddy was? Oh, I am so envious!
The Mola-mola showed up at the end of a third dive, most were back on the boat and OOA but I think everyone got back in to snorkel with it.
I got a glimpse of one in Bali but some other divers had chased after it so it fleed.
When we were in Holbox we counted 22 whalesharks around us but some may have been Mantas feeding on the surface also.
In Utila they were one at a time, that’s the picture above.
In the Galapagos they are deeper so you are on scuba, the water cooler, darker and they have an entorage and can be hard to see for all of the fish around them.
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From VG: Hi Tardmaster (nice moniker) Educate me please! IS there more than one whale shark? Where do you swim/dive with them daily? I have lots of questions! :)
I’m on staff at the Georgia Aquarium. We have four whale sharks. Keep firing the questions. I’ll answer what I can.
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VG - 12/23/2013 9:42 AM
From tardmaster: I’m on staff at the Georgia Aquarium. We have four whale sharks. Keep firing the questions. I’ll answer what I can.
How fortunate are you! I know that it is possible for divers to get in the GA but how is the experience? I just might have to put some serious thought to a visit and dive at GA. Perhaps it would be a good primer for me before looking for them in open waters.
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VG - 12/23/2013 9:46 AM
tardmaster - Just realized that we both know Dale. Are you also in The Rollins dive club? The world just gets smaller and smaller!
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VG - 12/23/2013 9:55 AM
From tardmaster: Keep firing the questions. I’ll answer what I can.
Tell me about the PADI whale shark and manta specialties. What knowledge do you gain, and how are they taught?
Thank you!!
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vg.....I just sent you a personal message with my number. Feel free to call with your questions.
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Hands down the best place for whale sharks is Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua. You can use scuba and the sharks circle around and swim with you all day long in one spot.
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The bagans that they swim under
the netted fish that they suck on
A young one
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