Distribution

The whale shark inhabits all tropic and warm-temperate seas.

Primarily pelagic and solitary, seasonal feeding aggregations occur at several coastal sites such as Gladden Spit in Belize; Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia; Donsol, Pasacao and Batangas in the Philippines; off Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox in Yucatan Mexico; Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia; Nosy Be in Madagascar Off Tofo Reef near Inhambane in Mozambique, and the Tanzanian islands of Mafia, Pemba and Zanzibar.

They are seen off the coast of Utila in Honduras year round.

Although typically seen offshore, it has been found closer to land, entering lagoons or coral atolls, and near the mouths of estuaries and rivers.

Its range is generally restricted to about 30 degrees latitude north and south from the equator. It is capable of diving to depths of 700 metres (2,300 ft), and is migratory.