30th August: International Whale Shark Day

Since 2008, every August 30, the world’s largest fish is honored thanks to the International Whale Shark Day, which was proclaimed at the II International Whale Shark Conference held in Mexico. There, 40 countries pledged to make every effort to protect and help this specimen from becoming extinct. It is worth mentioning that this species can be found in Colombian Caribbean waters.

The International Whale Shark Day was created with the intention of making people around the world aware of the danger that illegal fishing, sea pollution, boat traffic and unsustainable tourism pose to the life of these enormous ocean titans that are on the verge of disappearing forever from our planet.

Swimming with whale sharks

The popularity of swimming with whale sharks has been on the rise in recent years, and adventurers seek out the best vacation spots based on where these animals make their home. When entering the habitat of any wild animal, always use caution; these gentle giants move slowly and have a preference for shallow water, which makes swimming with whale sharks a great activity for people of all ages. Baja California is one of the best locations on the planet for this type of adventure and, in fact, is one of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas. There you will find companies that specialize in tours that allow you to swim with whale sharks in Cabo safely, while at the same time teaching you how to do your part to protect the species.

Whether you want to swim with whale sharks in Cabo or are just inquiring about the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas, take advantage of August 30, International Whale Shark Day, to learn more about the ocean’s largest fish and do your part to keep it safe. If we all work to make this awareness day effective, we could help protect their marine ecosystem and take whale sharks off the endangered species list.

Some curious facts about the Whale Shark

It can live more than 100 years, a characteristic that makes it one of the longest-living animals in nature.

Generally its average size is that of a school bus, that is, between 18 and 19 meters long.

In Mexico, during the month of July, there is a festival in their honor in Isla Mujeres, where the main attraction is to swim with these enormous animals in the sea.

Whale sharks do not reproduce easily and reach sexual maturity late, so it is more likely that they will be hunted or die before they have offspring.

Their natural predators are the orca whale, the tiger shark and the white shark.