Whale Shark Excursions?

[driftwood]

We seem to be just coming out of the season for them, but I read recently in the NYT that excursions to see whale sharks were available off the coast of Belize. Although I'm not sure it would be my cup of tea in this decade of my life, I know many of you are young and in love and are dying to find things that no yuppie on your block has yet done. For those of you who want to examine the possibilities, there is this website--which has a pretty good photo if you haven't a clear idea of what a whale shark looks like:

 

http://www.belizespecialists.com/Whaleshark.html

 

If any of you have been on such an excursion, I would be interested in knowing what your impression of the experience was. The stated hours of the excursion suggest to me that it is set up to be cruise-ship friendly, but I have never cruised in that area of the Caribbean--no closer than Cozumel, anyway!

 

Something of a change from cave tubing, anyway, I would think! :p

[cruisefreak13]

Dear Driftwood,

 

I cannot get this link to work - could you please tell me more about the excursion?

 

Thanks, cruisefreak13

[driftwood]

http://www.belizespecialists.com/Whaleshark.htm

 

I erroneously added "l" to the address, thinking I had cut it off when I was copying and pasting. Sorry! I hope this works--I haven't got very many tricks up my sleeve!

[cruisefreak13]

Thanks driftwood - it worked this time. This would be an awesome thing to do but I think it would be better if one was a diver and unfortunately we are not. I would like to one day but it is currently not in the budget. Plus it looks like our timing for April will not be good either. I read a story (I think it might have been in a Readers Digest magazine) about some people diving/snorkeling with whale sharks and a fluke accident happened - the whale shark thought they were going to hurt her young so she swung her tail and everything went heywire - if I remember two of the people were hurt pretty bad but ended up okay. I can't remember where it took place at but it was an interesting story and one for people to read to remind them how dangerous these beautiful creatures can be and everyone should take much care around them, even though they do not try to be harmful.

 

cruisefreak13

[driftwood]

Neither of us has so much as lifted a tank on SCUBA gear, although my doctor has taken a crack at it. But it is certainly "different," for those who are always clamoring for "different" things to do. As with most ports of call, you are entering a foreign country, and you have to play by their rules.

 

When I was young we took a family trip to the mountains of NC and saw a photographer taking pictures of two cute black bear cubs playing in a meadow. Imagine the surprise and chagrin of the photographer as the mother bear came roaring from the treeline and went straight for him! Fortunately he was able to shoot himself up a small tree before she got to him. I suppose the tree was smaller than she wanted to trust her weight to, as she stayed at the base hoping he would reconsider for a good twenty minutes. We stayed watching the whole time--from inside our 1937 Buick--you just couldn't reason with her--and she eventually ambled off with her cubs. No cellphones in THOSE days, and no handy Park Rangers around to consult, either. But of course now we have Homeland Security and we will never have to worry about anything again . . . .

 

Yes, whale shark attacks are the least of our worries! :cool:

 

Mothers can be such a nuisance! :D