Whale Watching
Whale Shark Watching Certification
Keeping minimum distances and limiting group sizes and encounter times. Prohibiting touching, feeding and chasing whale sharks. Training guides, preventing waste at sea and respecting workers’ rights.
About the certification
Friend of the Sea assesses how operators organise encounters with whale sharks. The programme addresses both the approach by boat and participants’ behaviour in the water.
Operators can use certification to explain the assessed service to guests and booking partners. Guests should expect clear instructions, supervised encounters and space for the animals to move freely.
What can be certified
Defined whale shark watching and snorkeling services, including the vessels and observation areas named in the application.
What the standard covers
Speed is limited to seven knots in the observation area and three once a whale shark is sighted. Boats take turns interacting and do not chase animals.
Swimmers keep at least three metres from the animal and four metres from its tail. Approach from the side and leave its path clear.
Each encounter allows up to six swimmers and a professional guide. Total interaction time with each whale shark is limited to 30 minutes.
Touching, feeding and flash photography are prohibited. Intentional scuba diving with whale sharks, scooters and jet skis are excluded.
Crews receive training and guests are briefed. Authorisations, waste controls and workers’ rights are checked. Scientific cooperation and monitoring of energy use are recommended.
Assessment and certification
The assessment checks evidence for the service or facility being proposed. Agree the scope and audit arrangements before work begins, including the locations, activities and records to be reviewed.
Certification fees
Request a quotation for the proposed scope. Confirm assessment charges and any logo-use royalties before proceeding; submitting an enquiry does not commit you to certification.
Check certification status
Check the listed facility or service and its scope before making a booking or using a certification claim. If the listing is unclear, contact the team for confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
Intentional scuba diving with whale sharks is prohibited under this programme. The in-water encounter rules are designed for guided swimming and snorkeling.
No. Feeding whale sharks or other animals is prohibited.
No. Certification addresses how the excursion operates; it does not guarantee that wild whale sharks will be present.
No. Confirm certification approval, the permitted scope of the claim and the applicable logo-use agreement before adding the logo to your website or promotional materials.
Request a quotation based on the facilities or services to be assessed. Ask for assessment charges and logo-use royalties to be identified so you can review the full cost.
Use the application link below and describe the activities and locations you want assessed. The team will confirm the appropriate route and next steps.
Apply for certification
Provide your contact details, operating locations and a description of the service. For boat-based excursions, include vessel details and the activities offered.
Complete the application form and email it to quality@friendofthesea.org
