Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras

Whale Shark Alley

Whale Shark Alley is the local name for the open-water track south of Utila where whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) consistently feed on subsurface plankton blooms, making the island one of the most reliable places on Earth for repeated whale-shark encounters. The activity is snorkel-only by Honduran regulation: boats look for surface 'boils' of tuna and bonito chasing baitfish to the surface, where whale sharks join from below to feed on the same plankton. Encounters typically happen in the top 10 meters of the water column, with sharks ranging from 5 to 9 meters long. The Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center (WSORC) on Utila has documented year-round sightings since the late 1990s, with peak frequency in March-April and August-September. Strict rules require freediving without scuba, no touching and minimum distance. Surrounding open water is also a reliable sighting area for spinner dolphin and pilot whale.