Best places for whale sharks in August
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
#1IndonesiaDay boat only●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in August
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 28–29°C in August
- Trade-off: Whale sharks: possible in August, not reliable
JFMAMJJASOND
Best April to NovemberWhy this match: 38 + 9 + 19 + 10 = 76
Season38 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in August; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in August.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather10 / 13
Rain on about 1 day in 3; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#2IndonesiaDay boat only●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in August
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 26°C in August
- Trade-off: Whale sharks: possible in August, not reliable
JFMAMJJASOND
Best July to NovemberWhy this match: 37 + 9 + 19 + 9 = 74
Season37 / 38
3 of 3 sites are in season in August; calm on almost every day.
Interests9 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in August.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather9 / 13
Rain on about 1 day in 3; 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: 5 of 5 sites are in season in August
- Strength: Mostly dry: rain on about 1 day in 5
- Trade-off: Rough seas on most days
- Unknown: Whale sharks in August: we don't know yet
JFMAMJJASOND
Best NovemberWhy this match: 28 + 15 + 19 + 11 = 73
Season28 / 38
5 of 5 sites are in season in August; calm on about 1 day in 10.
Interests15 / 31
Whale sharks: we don't know yet in August. Not known yet, so it counts as half.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 5 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
#4IndonesiaLiveaboard or day boat●○○Low confidence: Area base: 1 site on Divetip so far - Strength: August is in season here
- Strength: Calm seas on most days
- Trade-off: Whale sharks: possible in August, not reliable
- Unknown: Area base: 1 site on Divetip so far
JFMAMJJASOND
Best April to DecemberWhy this match: 35 + 10 + 19 + 12 = 76
Season35 / 38
The site is in season in August; calm on most days.
Interests10 / 31
Whale sharks: possible in August.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 1 sites count.
Weather12 / 13
Rain on few days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
#5MaldivesLiveaboard or day boat●●○Medium confidence: 3 sites on Divetip so far - Strength: Whale sharks: likely in August
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Strength: Water 28–29°C in August
- Trade-off: Rain on more than half the days
JFMAMJJASOND
Best November to AprilWhy this match: 27 + 19 + 19 + 8 = 73
Season27 / 38
2 of 3 sites are in season in August; calm on almost every day.
Interests19 / 31
Whale sharks: likely in August.
Your level19 / 19
No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather8 / 13
Rain on more than half the days; no real storm risk.
Points are scaled so the factors you set add up to 100. How we rank
Book your trip
Partner links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Partners never change the ranking.
Always check local conditions with your dive centre. Rankings are never paid for. Every month also has its own page: where to dive in August.