Whale sharks are slow swimmers, moving at speeds of no little more than 3 miles per hour.

Professional marine photojournalist Mauricio Handler has been capturing wildlife images for decades. It wasn’t until 2007, however, while leading a scuba diving outing in the Galapagos, that Handler, saw his first whale shark.

Several years later he began photographing the world’s largest fish off the coast of Cancun, Mexico, where he sometimes finds schools by the hundreds. Handler’s stunning whale shark images have recently been featured by such outlets as National Geographic and Discover News.

We caught up with him from his current base in Freeport, Maine, to learn what draws him to this magnificent species. While he may spend many more hours in the water with whale sharks than a typical traveler, the emotion he feels when coming upon the species is no different.

WWF Travel: How many times have you swum with whale sharks?
Mauricio Handler: I spend two weeks a year in the water with these giants. I can safely say that every day has been different. Every encounter brings new photo opportunities. You learn to observe after the initial adrenaline rush subsides.

The whale shark is a filter feeder and can neither bite nor chew.

WWF: What are the challenges of photographing whale sharks and how do you manage to capture such incredible images?
MH: These are big animals, and although they are moving relatively slow on the surface, it is crucial to place oneself in the right place at the right time. The only way to do this is to be in the water as much as possible and not come out! This increases your opportunities drastically. It also allows you to observe the fish and learn its motion and emotions, so to speak. These factors are crucial in creating images that go beyond the mere ID photo. You must be there and be ready at all times. There are no second chances in nature.

WWF: Are whale sharks really as docile as people say?
MH: Whale sharks are indeed docile. They are like very large Labradors! They are in no way dangerous to us as other sharks may potentially be, but they are large powerful fish with large fins. It is important to remember not to get in their way while they feed, because they do not stop their forward motion. It is like a slow moving freight train.

WWF: Do you have any tips for people who are planning their first trip to swim with whale sharks?
MH: Get comfortable using fins, a mask and a snorkel. If you are comfortable then you will have great experiences in the water. You do not want to be dealing with gear issues (such as a foggy mask or loose fins) while you have this wonderful animal in front of you!

Observe them as close as you can, watch the tail and never touch or grab them as this will be the end of your encounter and they will avoid you next time around. You must respect their space at all times.

A whale shark’s mouth is at the very front of its head – as opposed to the underside of the head like most sharks.

WWF: What is the biggest whale shark you have ever encountered?
MH: In the Galapagos Islands of Darwin Island I encountered a mature 40-foot plus male. That is one big fish! In Mexico they max out at about 30 feet—still very large.

WWF: Why do continue to go back each season to capture images of whale sharks?
MH: Photographing large gatherings of whale sharks is one of the highlights of my professional career. I keep finding new angles and moments that I want to capture in a photo. It takes weeks, months and sometimes years to be fully satisfied that you have got it all. Then one day, the animals allow a glimpse into something new, fresh and revealing, something you had never seen before, and the obsession begins all over again!

See more of Handler’s photography on his website and Facebook page.

Join WWF on a tour to swim with whale sharks to Mexico or the Philippines.

A group of WWF snorkelers taking advantage of a unique photo op. © Ron Leidich

Preparing for one of WWF’s highly sought-after snorkeling tours? Take a look at our packing list to make sure you’ve got everything you need before taking to the waters.

1. Mask
Taking the time to find a mask that fits your face well is critical. If you suction the mask to your face, without using the strap, it should stay put by itself. Any air leakage means it’s not a good fit.

2. Mask defogger
Goggle defogger can help prevent your mask from fogging up. Be sure to choose one that’s non-toxic, biodegradable and alcohol free, for your protection and for the safety of the reefs and their inhabitants. A simpler option is to spit into the mask and rub the saliva around before washing it out.

3. Snorkel
A critical factor in choosing the right snorkel is the mouthpiece—you want to make sure it feels comfortable. A “purge valve” is a nice feature on many snorkels that lets water out but not in. And you want to choose a snorkel that comes close to your head, which will prevent drag.

4. Swim cap or bandana
Not only will a swim cap or bandana keep hair out of your snorkel, but it will also prevent your scalp from burning on a sunny day. The surgical caps that doctors wear are an ideal type of bandana because the ties prevent them from slipping off. Pick one up from a medical supply company for cheap.

5. Float Vest
For the less confident swimmer, renting or purchasing a float vest is a great way to keep you buoyant and relieve any nervousness.

6. Wetsuit
Besides keeping you warm in cooler water, wetsuits also help prevent sunburns, offer protection from stingy particles in the ocean and provide buoyancy. Shorty wetsuits—ones with short sleeves and leggings that stop right before the knee—are perfect for water that’s just a little cooler than you could swim in comfortably, plus they’re easier to pull on and take up less room in your suitcase.

7. Rash guard
When the water is too warm for a wetsuit, a rash guard will provide the same protection from the sun and ocean stinging bits.

8. Biodegradable sunscreen
Choose a reef-friendly sunscreen, which biodegrades in water. That way you won’t be damaging the reefs you’re there to see.

9. Fins
For snorkeling, shorter fins are often desired—you can change direction easier and they’re not as heavy, making it easier to kick. If you’d like to try free diving, go for longer fins that will help you swim deeper faster.

10. Neoprene socks
Even fins that fit well can cause blisters on your feet, especially on the backs of your ankles. Neoprene socks provide comfort and can also help keep your feet warm.

For travel clothes and items featuring WWF’s logo, check out online apparel retailer New Headings.

• Join a WWF snorkeling trip in 2012.

Yellow boxfish

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You can tell this boxfish is still young, because its yellow toning is still bright in color. As the boxfish ages, its color will fade.

• Join WWF’s Snorkeling the Raja Ampat Archipelago tour, October 10-23, 2011. Space is limited.

The cottages of the Spiadan Water Village sit on top of clear, turquoise waters. Courtesy Sipadan Water Village Resort

The fourth in an occasional series examining the most unusual accommodations on WWF tours.

After spending four nights in the Danum Valley at a remote lodge tucked deep into the rain forest, approaching the Sipadan Water Village Resort is quite a dramatic change. Where you had spent your days in search of orangutans, pygmy elephants and rhinoceros hornbills, you’ll now take to the seas, in pursuit of cuttlefish, turtles and manta rays.

The resort is called a “water village” because it’s made up of 45 chalets directly over the water, built on ironwood stilts less than four feet above the high water mark. The cottages reflect the traditional Bajau style of architecture, with roofs of thatched palm. The rooms and common areas are connected by wooden walkways and linked to shore by a long pier.

Open the glass doors to of your cottage to enjoy the sea breezes, and step onto your private deck to check for green sea turtles swimming just below your feet. With such a view, it might be tempting to spend the day lounging in your room, but we have exploring to do.

Despite its name, Sipidan Water Village is actually on the nearby island of Mabul. We’ll spend time snorkeling various waters surrounding the region. Mabul is known for its abundance of smaller species while Sipidan, though just 15 minutes away, is famous for macro marine life. The combination promises to impress even the most seasoned snorkeler.

Join WWF’s Borneo Rain Forest Adventure, July 15-31, 2011.

Seeing these 'gentle giants' in the wild is an unforgettable experience. © Abraham Cantú

Whale sharks are not whales at all but rather the world’s largest fish, measuring up to 45 feet in length. Given their size, you’d think researchers would know a lot about them. But little is actually known about whale sharks compare with other species; researchers don’t even know how many exist in the world’s oceans. During a WWF tour this July, snorkelers have the opportunity to swim alongside this mammoth species.

10. With the exception of the Mediterranean Sea, whale sharks can be found in all temperate and tropical oceans around the world and migrate thousands of miles to different feeding grounds.

9. The whale shark has distinctive light-yellow markings (random stripes and dots) on its very thick, dark gray skin.

8. Despite their size, whales sharks are considered harmless and are often referred to as “gentle giants.”

7. It is thought that whale sharks may have a lifespan of 100 to 150 years.

Whale sharks are docile and unafraid of swimmers. © Abraham Cantú

6. The whale shark is a filter feeder and can neither bite nor chew. Although its mouth can stretch to four feet wide, its thousands of teeth are so tiny that it can only eat small shrimp, fish and plankton by using its modified gill rakers as a suction filter.

5. A whale shark can process more than 6,000 liters of water an hour through its gills.

4. A whale shark’s mouth is at the very front of its head – as opposed to the underside of the head like most sharks.

3. It is thought that less than 10 percent of whale sharks born survive to adulthood. Upon giving birth, the mother shark leaves her young to fend for themselves.

2. Whale sharks are slow swimmers, moving at speeds of no little more than 3 miles per hour.

1. The main threat to whale sharks is the growth of unregulated and unsustainable fisheries to supply international trade demands for shark fins, liver oil (used to waterproof wooden boats), skin and meat in East Asian countries.

Join WWF’s Expedition Whales Sharks tour, scheduled July 17-22, 2011.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

• Swimming with whale sharks: ‘Calm to the core’
• Video: Expedition whale sharks
• Journal Journeys

See coral reefs on tour with WWF.

© Robert Delfs / WWF-Canon

The sunlit waters of the Andaman Sea in Asia have been spared the ravages of development, runoff, bleaching and nutrient loading that others among the world seas have experienced. As a result, the corals are like a “bustling city of tiny fishes, crabs, mollusks and colorful sponges,” says WWF snorkeling guide Ron Leidich.

We asked Leidich to tell us about his favorite marine life moment from this year’s WWF snorkeling tour in Thailand and the Mergui Archipelago:

“I remember spotting a cuttlefish—a relative of the octopus—in shallow water. I cautiously approached for a closer look, but he retreated, seeing me as a threat.

“However, he soon learned that I could essentially provide him with a free lunch. How so? As I snorkeled over the shallow coral garden, my shadow was intimidating the wary gobies standing guard over their burrows. The cuttlefish soon learned that I was distracting these potential prey fishes, and he moved in for an easy meal.

“Reaching out with lightening speed, the cuttlefish nabbed the little fish directly in front of our group and gobbled them up in a flash. The intelligent predator then followed us around the reef, posing for pictures and showing off his wild color and texture changes to a group of his admiring fans.”

Join WWF’s Snorkeling the Mergui Archipelago tour, scheduled for April 15 – 28, 2011.

The island province of Palawan in the Philippines.

When frigid winter days in the United States leave you begging to ditch your coats and boots and escape to a warmer locale, a WWF tour may be just the solution. These five sunny wintertime destinations offer shorts-and-sandals weather, sunny days and a nice escape during the thick of the winter:
 
Sumatra, Indonesia
With warm, enveloped rain forests lining sunny coastlines, the island of Sumatra is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna – including great argus pheasants, critically endangered Javan rhinoceros and the largest flowers in the world. Our tour includes a visit to the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Station, where orphaned residents are being reconditioned to live in the wild. And during a visit to the Mentawai Islands, listen for the splendid song of the Mentawai gibbon, which some wildlife experts say has one of the most splendid songs of any land mammal.
 
Costa Rica
Rising 125 feet into the misty skies, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is the most famous wildlife spot in Costa Rica. While evenings can be a little chilly—sweatshirt weather, as we like to call it—a daytime walk through the sun-kissed cloud forest will take the chill off. Four hundred bird species, more than 100 mammals and 2,500 plant species can be found in the reserve. You’ll have the opportunity to take in views from above thanks to a combination of suspension bridges and platforms. And with luck, you may catch a glimpse of the rare quetzal; look for its iridescent green tail feathers.

Belize
Belize blends the best of two worlds—the Central American rain forests and the warm Caribbean Sea—and epitomizes the idea of a getaway destination in the wintertime. The country boasts the planet’s second-largest barrier reef, and you’ll spend a day donning a swimsuit snorkeling in the turquoise seas among brilliantly colored fish and a variety of coral. Throughout the tour you’ll stay at beachside eco-resorts, including private thatched cabanas overlooking the ocean.
 
The Philippines
When a group of scuba divers discovered whale sharks off the coast of Donsol in 1998, the sleepy fishing town became one of the Philippines most popular travel destinations. Our visit occurs during peak season, and so the question will not be if you see whale sharks, but how many. For a hundred years the locals thought the species was a dangerous shark, but these filter feeders are gentle giants and swimming among them is an otherworldly experience. The waters in the Bay of Donsol can be brisk—wetsuits are definitely needed—but the temperate, sunny weather during the rest of the trip more than makes up for it.
 
India
The Indian, or greater one-horned, rhino is a conservation success story. Thanks to strict protection measures, its population has increased from 600 in 1975 to about 2,000 today. Our tour includes a visit to World Heritage Site Kaziranga National Park, created to protect the one-horned rhinoceros, where you’ll go in search of the two ton animal. Then journey to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Visit at dawn when the sunrise casts a pink glow on the memorial’s translucent marble. Our tour includes early morning outings, which may feel cool, but weather should be ideal by afternoon.

- Janet Joiner, WWF

© Elissa Poma / WWF-US

Snorkeling gives travelers the best of all worlds: The chance to see brilliant and vibrant seascapes without the expense and special training that scuba diving requires. In fact, many of our snorkeling guides no longer strap on their air tanks and descend deep below the surface in scuba gear, because there’s so much to see just below the surface

If you’re considering one of WWF’s highly sought-after snorkeling tours, the following tips are ideal to help beginners and advanced aficionados alike:

10. Suiting up: Most people think wetsuits are only for use in chilly water. But they serve multiple purposes: They’re great at warding off dangerous sunburns, they keep most of your skin shielded from stingy particles in the ocean and they provide buoyancy.

Shorty wetsuits are suitable for nearly all of WWF’s snorkeling tours. One important tip: Don’t forget to put sun block on the backs of your calves, which seems to be the No. 1 spot to burn when you’re snorkeling. (And choose a reef-friendly product.)

9. Floating around: If you aren’t a strong swimmer, don’t have the stamina to stay in the water for a long time or don’t plan to free dive, consider using a float vest (either one that goes around your waist or one that straps across your shoulders). They’re also very helpful in snorkeling spots such as the Raja Ampat Archipelago, where currents can be swift.

8. Take the waters: Most of WWF’s snorkeling trips take place near the equator or in other tropical destinations, including Panama’s Coiba Island. That means the sun is strong and dehydration is common. Even if you’re immersed in water, its salt content will sap your skin of moisture. Make sure to hydrate with water, juice or other non-alcoholic beverages.

7. Flood insurance: If your mask floods with water while snorkeling, beginners can go above the surface to let the water out. An effective advanced technique, however, doesn’t require that you surface.

Merely hold the top center portion of the mask’s faceplate tight to your face – use the back of your hand to hold it steady. Then blow air out of your mouth. The air should force the water out of the looser bottom portion of your mask.

6. Keep your distance: Give marine life space and don’t approach too closely. Even if an animal approaches you – as the sea lions off the coast of Baja California or the Galápagos do on occasion – maintain a safe distance, and do not touch them.

This especially applies to corals. Some are toxic and can cause nasty cuts or even massive infections – not to mention that even an unintended kick to a coral head can damage decades’ worth of growth. During some of our snorkeling outings, the water over reefs is so shallow that you cannot even wear fins – follow your guide’s instructions when visiting these spots.

© Marsea Nelson / WWF-US

5. Test swim: Everyone should test out a new snorkel before going on a trip, but no one more so than a snorkeler with a prescription mask. It is common for small holes or tears to be created when a snorkel is being fitted with specialty lenses. Be sure to test it out with time to get it fixed if needed.

4. Cranium care: Wearing a swim cap or bandana around your head not only keeps hair out of your snorkel but also helps to keep your scalp from burning on a sunny day. An especially good style of bandana to wear is the one that surgeons don in the operating room – the ties prevent them from slipping off. Pick one up from a medical supply company for cheap.

3. Steamy moments: Like the inside of a car during a winter day, a snorkeling masks fogs up because you are generating heat. Prior to hopping in the water, wet the inside of your mask and dump out the water. Then spit into the mask and rub the saliva around before washing it out. This will prevent some degree of fogginess.

Special anti-fog gels are available on the market that work rather well; be sure to choose one that’s non-toxic, biodegradable and alcohol free, for your protection and for the safety of the reefs and their inhabitants.

2. Dive into it: Diving underwater and descending 10 to 30 feet is an advanced snorkeling technique that can add tremendously to the experience. Not only do you get a closer look at things below the sea, but you’ll also get yourself into a better position to snap photographs of supersized coral tables in the Mergui Archipelago or take a closer look at a sea fan in Fiji.

Diving while snorkeling requires that you learn to force your ears to “pop” to equalize pressure and swim below the surface more comfortable. You also need to practice expelling water from your snorkel by forcing a strong burst of air through the tube as you clear the water’s surface. Special “purge snorkels” are available on the market for those who want an extra line of protection against getting water in your mouth.

1. Don’t be touchy: Resist the temptation to pocket a pretty souvenir shell or seemingly dead sea star – it’s not ecologically sound, and it could even be illegal.

• See WWF’s 2010-11 snorkeling lineup.
   
• Learn how to take underwater photos in WWF’s Behind the Lens photography series.

Photo by Pat Stanislaski

WWF’s Marsea Nelson explored Baja, Mexico, earlier this year. She talked to WWF Travel about her experience swimming with sea lions one afternoon:

On the final day at sea during my cruise of Baja California in Mexico, I visited Los Islotes, a well-known haul out and breeding site for California sea lions. The site is within Espiritu Santo Archipelago National Park in the Sea of Cortez.

From the ship, I could see dozens of sea lions resting and sleeping on the red rocks of the island. The members of this thriving colony moved their hefty bodies slowly and awkwardly as they dove in and climbed out of the water. Sea lions are pinnipeds, or fin-footed mammals, and are distinguishable from seals by their external ear flaps and long front flippers.

When an expedition leader announced it was time to snorkel, I put on my wetsuit, donned a snorkel and fins and boarded a Zodiac that took us closer to the rocks. I went for the plunge. The sea was a little chilly—the waters off Mexico aren’t warm year-round, despite the common perception that they are—and the wetsuit was a definite necessity. But I adjusted rather quickly to the temperature.

What startled me even more was seeing a huge bull swimming immediately below me the second I hit the water. I screamed and then laughed. I felt so small—bulls typically weigh about 660 pounds. He commanded authority as he watched over his harem. (A male sea lion’s family group can include as many as 15 females.)

It was surreal to be so out of my element and in the company of such an amazing creature.

Before long, a group of playful, young sea lions came to check me and my fellow snorkelers out. They were graceful and effortless as they swam—a marked contrast from their lumbering movements on the rocks above. The youths seemed as fascinated by us as we were by them, and they were so frisky! The sea lions would speedily swim right up to my face—close enough to practically count every whisker on their dog-like faces—then veer off at the last possible second. They seemed to enjoy this mischievous game—I felt like they were saying “Gotcha!” as I envisioned narrowly avoided collisions.

At one point I saw a young sea lion twirling around me. I decided to try and mirror its movements. The sea lion stayed close as I arched and dove and circled around as he did. Eventually I’d have to come up for air but then I’d dive back down to continue our dance.

A marine mammal and a land mammal, connecting for a moment.

Join WWF’s Baja California cruise, Among the Great Whales, January 22-29, 2011.