Best places for whale sharks in December
20 trip bases match. Ranked for any diver.
Typical values are 1991–2020 averages and our site seasons.
Live switches on 48 hours before your trip. Add a start date under When.
BestGoodPossibleOff seasonYour month
#1MaldivesLiveaboard or day boat●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: Whale sharks: likely in December
- Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in December
- Strength: Calm seas on most days
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to AprilWhy this match: 36 + 19 + 19 + 7 = 81
Season36 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in December; calm on most days.
Interests19 / 31
Whale sharks: likely in December.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather7 / 13
Rain on most days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#2IndonesiaLiveaboard or day boat●●●High confidence: 8 sites, every factor sourced - Strength: 8 of 8 sites are in season in December
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 29°C in December
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best October to AprilWhy this match: 38 + 9 + 19 + 6 = 72
Season38 / 38
8 of 8 sites are in season in December; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in December.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 8 sites count.
Weather6 / 13
Rain on most days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#3AustraliaLiveaboard only●●○Medium confidence: One factor not sourced yet - Strength: 4 of 5 sites are in season in December
- Strength: Water 27–28°C in December
- Trade-off: Rain on about half the days
- Unknown: Whale sharks in December: we don't know yet
JFMAMJJASOND
Best NovemberWhy this match: 28 + 16 + 19 + 8 = 71
Season28 / 38
4 of 5 sites are in season in December; calm on more than half the days.
Interests16 / 31
Whale sharks: we don't know yet in December. Not known yet, so it counts as half.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 5 sites count.
Weather8 / 13
Rain on about half the days; named storm nearby in 7% of years.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#4IndonesiaLiveaboard or day boat●○○Low confidence: Area base: 1 site on Divetip so far - Strength: December is in season here
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
- Unknown: Area base: 1 site on Divetip so far
JFMAMJJASOND
Best April to DecemberWhy this match: 37 + 9 + 19 + 7 = 72
Season37 / 38
The site is in season in December; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in December.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 1 sites count.
Weather7 / 13
Rain on most days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#5PhilippinesDay boat only●●○Medium confidence: 4 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: 4 of 4 sites are in season in December
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 27°C in December
- Trade-off: Storm risk: a named storm passed within 250 km in 33% of Decembers
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to MayWhy this match: 36 + 9 + 19 + 7 = 71
Season36 / 38
4 of 4 sites are in season in December; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in December.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 4 sites count.
Weather7 / 13
Rain on more than half the days; named storm nearby in 33% of years.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
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Always check local conditions with your dive centre. Rankings are never paid for. Every month also has its own page: where to dive in December.
