Whale Sharks at Gladden Spit

Every year, during the full moons of April, May, and June, one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular marine wildlife events takes place at Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. Thousands of cubera, dog, and mutton snappers gather to spawn, creating an underwater spectacle that attracts an incredible variety of marine life.

As millions of snapper eggs drift into the current, the reef comes alive with predators. Schools of jacks and barracuda patrol the edges of the aggregation while bull sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, blacktip sharks, eagle rays, dolphins, and many other species arrive to feed. On some days, the world’s largest fish—the whale shark—also appears to take advantage of this seasonal feast.

Gladden Spit is internationally recognized as one of the Caribbean’s most important snapper spawning aggregation sites. Witnessing thousands of large snappers gathering in one place is an unforgettable experience in itself. Combined with the abundance of sharks, rays, dolphins, and other marine life, this seasonal event offers some of the most exciting diving in Belize.

While whale sharks are undoubtedly the highlight for many divers, their appearance is completely unpredictable. In recent years, sightings have become increasingly rare, and we believe it’s important to set realistic expectations. We would rather pleasantly surprise our guests than promise an encounter that nature simply cannot guarantee.

One guest who did not see a whale shark described the experience as “the best dive of my life,” after watching dolphins repeatedly charge through schools of spawning snapper before surfacing only a few metres away to feed.

Our Whale Shark Sighting History

In each of April, May and June 2026, we did two whale shark trips without sighting a whale shark.  During 2025 there was one whale shark sighting and in 2024 were no whale shark sightings.  In April 2023 there was one whale shark sighting.  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.  

Although whale shark encounters have become less frequent than they once were, every trip offers the opportunity to witness one of the Caribbean’s most remarkable natural events. For many divers, the spawning aggregation itself becomes the highlight of the day.

Reef Snorkeling During the Surface Interval

Between dives, we snorkel a beautiful reef just inside the Belize Barrier Reef. Because this site is visited primarily during the spawning season, guests often enjoy healthy coral formations, colourful reef fish, sea fans, and excellent visibility in a peaceful setting away from the crowds. It’s the perfect complement to the excitement of diving at Gladden Spit.