Whale Shark Watching in Lila, Bohol: A Guide to This Majestic Underwater Experience

If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, make sure to add whale shark watching in Lila, Bohol to your itinerary. While Bohol is famous for the Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, and Alona Beach, it also offers something wonderful under the sea. Lila, a quaint coastal town known for its agricultural site, is home to many whale sharks, the world’s largest living sharks. They’re huge but harmless, which is why many tourists love to see them up close and personal.

In Lila, tourists flock to the town because of the booming tourist activity of whale shark watching. A small village in Lila, specifically Taug, is becoming a tourism hotspot because giant whale sharks often appear in its coastal waters. Here, you can encounter the giants of the sea and enjoy underwater activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and even diving!

Available Tours

Many available tour operators offer whale shark-watching activities in Bohol. It's always best to book a tour from accredited tour operators. 

Tips and Guides

Before you go, there are some things you need to keep in mind:

1. The number one rule is to never feed the whale sharks. It’s not a sustainable tourism practice and can harm the whale sharks with their behavioral changes and possible injuries.
2. It’s always best to bring your own gear and equipment. Must-have items include goggles and snorkels for hygienic purposes.
3. Don’t be too noisy. Loud voices might scare whale sharks which might drive them away.
4. Don’t touch the fish. It can injure or stress them. Encounters are made to just see them up close; it’s a different story if you do something to them. Let them swim freely!
5. If a whale shark goes near you, keep calm. Stay about 4 feet away from the face and 13 feet from the tail for a comfortable distance.
6. Refrain from doing flash photography. Bring an underwater camera but do not disturb these whale sharks by surprising them!

Other whale-shark activities around Bohol

Aside from Lila, you can also encounter these gentle giants in other parts of Bohol. From Panglao to Oslob, there are whale shark-watching activities too. It’s almost a 100% guarantee that you’ll see whale sharks in Bohol, making it your number-one destination if you want to see these sea giants.

Other nearby tourist spots around Lila

Aside from whale shark encounters, there are nearby tourist attractions that you can go to:

• Ingkumhan Falls - Located in Dimiao, this secret waterfall is a must-visit thanks to the rope swing and cliff diving activities you can do here. Its crystal clear waters and serene atmosphere make the place lovelier.
• Lodge Restaurant and Bar - Have a sumptuous lunch with a view when you go to Lodge Restaurant in Loboc. Enjoy good food, great views, and a relaxing vibe on your visit.
• Mahogany Forest - Also situated in Loboc, the Mahogany Forest is an excellent place to drive along a tree-lined pathway to the city. It’s a man-made forest that gives you a scenic vista as you pass by.