Whale shark
Rhincodon typus
In the waterEndangered
The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea and passes through the northern Galápagos at Darwin and Wolf. Most sightings there are of large, likely pregnant females. It is a filter feeder that follows plankton-rich upwellings. The IUCN lists the species as endangered.
Best time to see it
JunJulAugSepOctNov
Sightings run roughly June to November, peaking around August and September, when the cool Humboldt Current brings nutrient-rich water. Encounters are almost entirely at the far-northern dive-only islands of Darwin and Wolf, reached by liveaboard rather than land-based tours.
Where to see it
