Whale shark swimming alongside boat wows crew, tourists in Penghu

Whale shark swimming alongside boat wows crew, tourists in Penghu

2026-08-03

Tourists were treated to a special sight in the waters off Penghu! While carrying visitors out to experience squid fishing near Qimei, the passengers encountered an enormous whale shark swimming right alongside their boat. Delighted to witness such a rarity, the crew and tourists alike whipped out their phones to record the encounter.

Just as these tourists were getting ready to go squid fishing, an enormous spotted whale shark swims out from under the boat, causing the passengers to gasp in awe.

The shark swims back and forth beside the boat, occasionally opening its mouth and poking its snout above the surface. The passengers and crew whip out their phones to capture what was sure to be the highlight of their Penghu trip.

Member of public
Commenting on whale shark
Better environmental awareness has really had a positive impact on the ecosystem here.

Member of public
Commenting on whale shark
Environmental awareness among fishers and locals is getting better. We expect more tourists to see surprising wildlife on their trip to Penghu, like this whale shark.

The whale shark is the largest species of fish in the world. It likes to stay near the surface and feed on plankton. Due to its mellow nature, people sometimes call it the “gentle giant of the sea.”

Hsueh Chieh-yin
Penghu Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has named it an endangered species. Taiwan listed it as a protected marine species in 2020.

Although the unexpected visitor scared away all the squid, getting to see an endangered species made the trip well worth it.

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