Spotting Whale Sharks in Destin, Florida

While it’s common to see fish, dolphins, stingrays, sea turtles, and even sharks in Destin waters off Northwest Florida's coast, it’s not a common sight to see Whale Sharks. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh up to 20,000 pounds, according to the Ocean Conservancy website. When these majestic yet docile creatures were spotted in our local waters, the community was very excited, and the coastal resources team took the opportunity to tag two whale sharks to learn more about their behaviors and provide greater insight into why they may be making their way through our local waters.  

This summer, local fishermen began sharing reports over the radio that a whale shark was spotted in the Destin area. The whale sharks' visit to Destin provided a unique opportunity for coastal scientists. With the help of local fisherman, Captain Alex Hare of the Silver King, the coastal resource team was able to find two whale sharks, tag them and begin collecting data. Each whale shark has two tags--(1) the satellite tag sends information every time the dorsal fin breaks the surface, and (2) the acoustic tag sends location information if the whale shark passes by a receiver.  Biological samples were also collected for genetic research, along with video documentation to confirm the length and sex of each animal. Each whale shark has a unique dot pattern that can be used like a fingerprint to help identify them if they are seen anywhere else. 

The whale sharks were spotted about 3 to 4 miles offshore in approximately 80 feet of water. While it is not common to see whale sharks in the Destin area, it does happen on occasion. One whale shark watcher shared that the last time she saw a whale shark was more than 10 years ago. Another local fisherman, Captain Joe Quaranto of the Silver Lining, said this is the first time he’s seen one in about 20 years. Captain Quaranto and his crew saw a whale shark two days in a row this July about 2 to 4 miles south of Destin’s East Pass.

The coastal resources team is excited to learn more about this species and the reasons they may be in our local waters. In the meantime, they are encouraging boaters and swimmers if they come in contact with a whale shark to please observe them from a distance to avoid unneeded agitation and interaction with humans.

Is fishing or scuba diving in Destin waters on your bucket list? Plan your next vacation by viewing our collection of Destin vacation rentals online or call one of our friendly local vacation specialists at 1-800-225-7652 to assist you. Be sure to book direct with Newman-Dailey for our best rate guarantee.

See you @ the beach!

*Photo caption/credit: Okaloosa Coastal Resource Team, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Southern Mississippi, spearheaded an effort to study and track these animals during their time off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. (credit: Color Earth)

Published on Wednesday, August 2, 2023