Whale shark

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world. Despite its name, it is not a mammal: it really is a fish. Its nickname comes from its impressive size, which can reach up to 18 meters, and from the way it feeds by filtering millions of tiny organisms such as plankton and small shrimp. Gentle, slow, and curious, it is often described as a peaceful giant.

We were lucky enough to swim with these extraordinary creatures in Sogod Bay, in southern Leyte, one of the rare places in the world where the experience is genuinely ethical. Unlike Oslob, the other well-known site in the Philippines where whale sharks are artificially fed to keep tourists coming, no food is used here and the rules of respectful observation are strictly followed. The animals are free to move, and we follow them, not the other way around.

From Padre Burgos, we spent three hours in the water, with no glass, no aquarium, just the ocean and these gigantic silhouettes gliding a few meters away from us. It is an experience that stays with you.