What diver hasn't dreamed of swimming alongside a whale shark? Because it is harmless to humans and moves slowly and peacefully, this vegetarian shark species is easily observable. Lucky for us, Thailand boasts superb dive sites that whale sharks visit regularly depending on the season. Ready to encounter the largest fish in the world?

The best dive spots in Thailand:

The best dive sites to see whale sharks in the Gulf of Thailand:

Chumphon Pinnacle

Departing from the small island of Koh Tao, the Chumphon Pinnacle site is one of the most beautiful in the Gulf of Thailand. Located 40 minutes by boat from the island, it revolves around a rocky formation surrounded by pinnacles. While you'll find many fish species there (jacks, groupers, batfish, fusiliers, barracudas, scorpionfish and many others), it's also a frequent passage point used by the famous whale sharks. Nearby, whale sharks have also been spotted at Southwest Pinnacle.

Sail Rock

Departing from Koh Tao, Koh Phangan or even Koh Samui, Sail Rock is a large boulder sitting in open sea. Its topography makes the location extremely interesting. With depths reaching up to 30 meters, you'll find an incredible abundance of fish schools (typically barracudas, jacks, tuna or batfish). And of course, you'll encounter the famous whale shark quite regularly!

The best dive sites to see whale sharks in the Andaman Sea:

Richelieu Rock

Richelieu Rock is the most renowned dive site of the Surin Islands. Better yet, it's one of the most beautiful dive spots in the world! This rock has earned a reputation for having a high concentration of whale sharks… Obviously, you need to visit during the right season and have a bit of luck.

The Similan Islands

The Similan Archipelago is a group of islands easily accessible from Phuket and Khao Lak. It's a protected natural reserve, which has helped preserve a wide variety of fish and coral species. It's no coincidence that the world's largest fish passes through here from time to time! To maximize your chances, choose to dive at the sites of Hin Muang and Hin Daeng and Boulder City.

The best season to see whale sharks in Thailand:

It all depends on your destination! Indeed, Thailand benefits from microclimates. This means that conditions won't be the same from one place to another during the same period. In the Gulf of Thailand, the best season for diving and hoping to see whale sharks is from January to April. That said, they are also frequently spotted between September and November. On the Andaman Sea side, the best time is February to April. Although the season sometimes extends from January to May.

The right approach to adopt:

Sure, you may experience one of the most intense moments of your life, but that's no reason to react recklessly. Here are the rules of good conduct to (re)discover to avoid disturbing whale sharks: don't touch them and don't approach them closer than three meters (even four if you're facing their tail), don't block their movement, avoid sudden gestures (they move very slowly, do the same) and finally never feed them (at the risk of creating a real ecosystem imbalance).

Also, as with any dive or swim, opt for reef-safe sunscreen. And most importantly, remember that the sea is not a zoo—don't be disappointed if you don't spot a whale shark during your dive. Nature will surprise you on your next trip…