GENTLE GIANT. A whale shark interaction activity in Pintuyan, Southern Leyte | Photo from Southern Leyte provincial government
TACLOBAN CITY — At least 9,842 local and foreign tourists visited during the 2026 whale shark interaction season in Pintuyan, Southern Leyte, the local tourism office reported.
Growing interest in Pintuyan’s marine ecotourism offerings is reflected in the latest figures, which show an upward trend in visitor arrivals over the past three seasons, with 2,040 visitors in 2023, 3,894 in 2024 and 6,521 in 2025.
The whale shark interaction season in Pintuyan officially ended on June 1 this year.
READ: Oslob’s whale sharks have not left: Where are they?
