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 during your stay in Southern Belize on one of our Belize Gladden Spit Whale Shark diving packages. Gladden Spit is famous for the majestic whale sharks that come at the time of the full moon in April, May, and June.
We are scheduling whale shark tours from April 1 to 11, May 1 to 11, and May 31 to June 10 in 2026, but I need to caution you. In 2025, there was one whale shark sighting, and none were observed in May or June. In 2024, there were no whale shark sightings. In April 2023, there was one whale shark sighting, and no further sightings were reported 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 to COVID-19, although there were sightings by fishermen at Gladden Spit. For the first time, in 2019, there were no whale shark sightings. In 2018, we saw whale sharks on fewer than 1/2 of the days we went out.
Dates for 2027 are April 20 to 30, May 20 to 30, and June 18 to 28.
Even if no whale sharks are seen, dives at Gladden Split can still be quite a remarkable experience. In addition to the tons of Cubera, dog and mutton snapper there are often schools of jacks. You can expect to see some predators such as reef sharks and bull sharks with the occasional hammerhead that come to feed on the snapper. Dolphins are frequent visitors. One of our guests said that her whale shark trip with no whale sharks sighted was the best dive she had ever done when dolphins were repeatedly diving for snapper and returning to the surface to swallow them!
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.
The Belize Whale shark package includes:
- 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
- 3 days of Whale shark diving at Gladden Spit
- 2 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.
