Best places for whale sharks in May
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
#1IndonesiaShore or day boat●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in May
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 29–30°C in May
- Trade-off: Whale sharks: possible in May, not reliable
JFMAMJJASOND
Best May to June and October to NovemberWhy this match: 37 + 9 + 19 + 11 = 76
Season37 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in May; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in May.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather11 / 13
Rain on about 1 day in 5; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#2PhilippinesDay boat only●●○Medium confidence: 4 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: 4 of 4 sites are in season in May
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 29–30°C in May
- Trade-off: Storm risk: a named storm passed within 250 km in 10% of Mays
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to MayWhy this match: 38 + 9 + 19 + 7 = 73
Season38 / 38
4 of 4 sites are in season in May; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in May.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 4 sites count.
Weather7 / 13
Rain on more than half the days; named storm nearby in 10% of years.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#3PhilippinesShore or day boat●●○Medium confidence: 4 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: 4 of 4 sites are in season in May
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 28–29°C in May
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to MayWhy this match: 38 + 9 + 19 + 7 = 73
Season38 / 38
4 of 4 sites are in season in May; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in May.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 4 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
#4IndonesiaLiveaboard or day boat●○○Low confidence: Area base: 1 site on Divetip so far - Strength: May is in season here
- Strength: Calm seas on most days
- Trade-off: Whale sharks: possible in May, not reliable
- Unknown: Area base: 1 site on Divetip so far
JFMAMJJASOND
Best April to DecemberWhy this match: 36 + 9 + 19 + 10 = 74
Season36 / 38
The site is in season in May; calm on most days.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in May.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 1 sites count.
Weather10 / 13
Rain on about 1 day in 5; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#5IndonesiaDay boat only●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in May
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 29°C in May
- Trade-off: Rain on most days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best April to NovemberWhy this match: 37 + 9 + 19 + 7 = 72
Season37 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in May; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in May.
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
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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 May.
