There is no denying that Okinawa is one of the most majestic locations for scuba diving. The crystal clear waters, natural beauty, and amazing creatures that inhabit the ocean here are just some of the reasons why this is a must-visit location. However, when going scuba diving anywhere in the world, it is imperative to be responsible and to ensure that you only engage in activities that are ethically sound. One thing that we never advise is diving with whale sharks in Okinawa. Below, we will explain why this is one activity you should certainly refrain from!
Why you should NEVER dive with whale sharks in Okinawa
We know that diving with whale sharks sounds incredibly appealing, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a lot of people! However, the reason why we do not endorse or provide local diving with whale sharks as because the animals are kept in a net. This captivity means they have very little space to move, which – as we’re sure you know – is never natural for any animal! When diving in Okinawa, you should only go on diving excursions that enable you to view animals in their own natural habitat.
Trapping these incredible animals is unethical and it is against our principles, and we hope that it is against your principles too! If you love the ocean and appreciate marine life, you will appreciate the critical role that these creatures play when it comes to our planet’s survival. It is, therefore, up to us to make sure that we are responsible for our surroundings and that we do not do anything that could harm the oceans and all of the incredible marine life that call the ocean their home.
Sadly, swimming with whale sharks in Okinawa does exactly the opposite. It puts these amazing animals at a huge risk because they are held captive and the stress is often too much for them to take. A lot of whale sharks have succumbed to the stress of the experience, and we are sure that this is not something you ever want to be involved in. Yes, it is great to get up, close, and personal with these outstanding creatures, but it should never come at the expense of their health!
As you can see, diving with whale sharks in Okinawa is a bad idea, and it is something that we never recommend doing, so please refrain from this. As whale sharks are typically kept in a net, it causes them huge amounts of stress, and it is not uncommon for whale sharks to perish due to events like this. We should never support businesses that offer diving experiences that come as a trade-off of the wellbeing of these amazing creatures. Instead, enjoy ethical dive sites in Okinawa.
More about Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are typically slow-moving, filter-feeding sharks and is the largest living nonmammalian vertebrate. They don’t pose any harm to humans because they generally eat plankton and other small fish. In fact they are relatively docile fish. This is why it is all the more important to treat them with respect and not dive with captured whale sharks.
