Things To Do In Belize.....

Swim With A Whale Shark in Belize

Ever wonder what it would feel like to dive or snorkel with one of the biggest creatures in the world?
Belize offers one of the best excursions to dive or snorkel with whale sharks! 

What’s a whale shark?

Only the largest fish in the world!  

Whale sharks can reach up to 46 feet in length.

The largest one ever measured was 40 feet, 7 inches in length, with a 4.5 foot wide mouth, a 4.5 foot high dorsal fin and 6.5 foot long pectoral fins.  

However, despite their size, whale sharks are remarkably gentle and curious. If they ever approach a diver or snorkeler, which sometimes happens, it’s more out of curiosity than any type of aggression. The whale shark’s gentle nature makes swimming with them a special treat.

In Belize, the best time to dive or snorkel with these majestic animals, is through April to June.

Whale sharks frequently visit an area on the reef called Gladden spilt, about 30 miles east of Placencia.

The reason whale sharks visit this area the most, is because during these months a variety of reef fish spawn in the Gladden split area and release millions of baby fish eggs and attracts whale sharks which feeds on the eggs.

 Here are some fun facts about whale sharks:

#1 Whale sharks are in no way related to whales. Although they are sharks they are very gentle and pose no real threats to humans

#2 Whale sharks can weigh up to 12 tons. That’s 24,000 pounds.

#3  Whale sharks have about 3,000 tiny teeth less than 6mm long, but don’t use those teeth to eat.

#4 Whale sharks aren't the fastest swimmers, reaching no higher than 5kmph.

#5 Whale sharks swim by moving their bodies side to side, unlike other sharks like the great white, who just use their tails to swim.

#6 Whale sharks are filter feeders.