Southern Leyte’s whale sharks allowed to migrate, drew nearly 10K
TACLOBAN CITY — At least 9,842 local and foreign tourists visited during the 2026 whale shark interaction season in Pintuyan, Southern Leyte, the local tourism office reported.
Growing interest in Pintuyan’s marine ecotourism offerings is reflected in the latest figures, which show an upward trend in visitor arrivals over the past three seasons, with 2,040 visitors in 2023, 3,894 in 2024 and 6,521 in 2025.
The whale shark interaction season in Pintuyan officially ended on June 1 this year.
READ: Oslob’s whale sharks have not left: Where are they?
Respect for gentle giants’ rhythm
The local government has wrapped up its marine ecotourism activities to give the gentle giants time to migrate and to allow the ecosystem to recover.
The next whale shark interaction season opens on October 1.
Alternative tourism experiences
Despite the temporary closure of whale shark interaction activities, Pintuyan town tourism officer Edilberto Alapag said visitors can still enjoy a variety of tourism experiences in the municipality.
These include pygmy squid catching at the port, jigging, daytime spearfishing, snorkeling, diving, mountain trekking, visits to two waterfalls, and trips to Mount Caningag Resort.
READ: Bohol: ‘No approach, no interaction’ policy on whale shark watching
Commitment to conservation
Alapag said the municipality remains committed to conservation efforts even as it has suspended interaction tours.
“Whale shark tourism in Pintuyan follows strict guidelines that prohibit feeding, baiting and touching the animals, allowing the species to surface and migrate naturally while protecting the marine biodiversity of Sogod Bay,” Alapag said.
Local officials also highlighted the significant role tourism has played in the town’s economic recovery and development.
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