Butanding in Gen. Nakar, Quezon

Butanding or whale shark sighting has become a major tourist in a number of coastal areas of the Philippines in recent years. The more famous is Donsol, Sorsogon, but it is far from Manila, perhaps 13 hours by car. Other coastal areas where butanding is known to exist are in Bohol, Negros Oriental, among others. And in Gen. Nakar, Quezon, where we visited only last weekend. All photos below are from Jun Dumlao's camera. We were on three different boats last Sunday and Jun's group was lucky to find two  butandings.

Among the indicators if there is a butanding in the area are the following. (10  Presence of these seagulls or wild ducks gliding to eat small fishes like dilis. Wild birds, tuna and butanding eat these small dilis.

(2) Huge splashes of water, the tuna or butanding are chasing a group of these small fishes.

(3) Fins of the butanding. Like small submarines creating small whirlpool of water.

And there they are.

Huge, dark fish with white spots.

Jun Velasco jumped in the water, and briefly swam with these gentle fish giants.

The other group or boat which saw butanding was Uly Veloso and Raymond Asanza's. Our group followed them too.  We only saw huge splashes and fins of the butanding from afar, we were not lucky to see them up close.

Nonetheless, it was a great adventure, with kids in town. Thanks again Raymond, for that wonderful weekend of fun and camaraderie.

* See also  Gen. Nakar, Quezon, Mountaineers' Outing, April 30, 2014