Gladden Spit Belize Whale Shark Diving
Splash Dive Center can customize your stay with a variety of accommodation providers in the picturesque village of Placencia. Furthermore, we are your base for exploring the Gladden Spit whale sharks on one of our Belize whale shark diving packages. In particular, Gladden Spit is famous for the majestic whale sharks that arrive at the time of the full moon in April, May, and June.
Gladden Spit Whale Shark Tour Dates
We are scheduling whale shark tours April 20 to 30, May 20 to 30 and June 18 to 28 in 2027, but we need to caution you. In each of April, May and June 2026, we did two whale shark trips without sighting a whale shark. In 2025 there was one whale shark sighting and in 2024 were no whale shark sightings. In April 2023 there was one whale shark sighting and no whale shark sightings in May or June. In 2022, we did one whale shark tour in April and two in May (saw lots of bull sharks but no whale sharks). In 2021 we did three whale shark tours and saw a whale shark on one of them. In 2020 we did not do any whale shark tours due covid-19, although there were sightings by fishermen at Gladden Spit. For the first time ever, in 2019 there were no whale shark sightings. In 2018 we saw whale sharks on less than 1/2 of the days we went out.
While the appearance by whale sharks is uncertain, you can certainly expect to see black tip reef sharks and bull sharks and dolphins who come to feed on the spawning aggregation of cubera snapper, dog snapper, mutton snapper and horse eye jacks. One of our guests said a whale shark trip with no whale shark sightings was the best dive she had ever done – dolphins were repeatedly diving for snapper and returning to the surface to eat them right beside her. We snorkel during the surface interval/lunch break in an area just inside the barrier reef – lots of reef fish and healthy corals in this area which is normally only visited for three 10-day periods in April, May and June.
Ten years ago, you could go on a whale shark tour at Gladden Spit and almost be certain of seeing at least one whale shark and you would probably see several. In recent years, there have been very few sightings. What happened? You can find some more information here.
Belize Whale Shark Diving at Gladden Spit
- Round-trip flight between Belize City and Placencia
- Land transfers between Placencia and Hotel
- Accommodations at any of the resorts listed below (see individual pricing)
- 7 nights/8 days stay
- 2days of Whale shark diving at Gladden Spit
- 3 days of diving on Belize Barrier
- 1 inland Monkey River and Manatee Watch tour
- Whale shark dives include, 2 tanks, weights, licensed guide, park entrance fee, lunch and taxes
Rates are per person based on double occupancy, except as indicated, and are in US dollars.
Scuba equipment is not included but is available for rent.
Our accommodations range from economical to the very best of high end luxury suites and apartments, but we recommend an early reservation as these resort diving packages and rooms are often booked up months in advance.
The Whale shark package includes accommodation options at the following;
| Sea Spray Hotel | $2745 |
| Alan’s Paradise Hotel | $2745 |
| Los Porticos | $3340 |
| Laru Beya | $3340 |
| Itz’ana Resort | $4495 |
| Naia Resort & Spa | $4695 |
Contact us for specific information and to arrange a reservation at divebelizewithsplash@gmail.com.
