Donsol, Sorsogon

"Donsol" redirects here. For the film of the same name, see Donsol (film).

Donsol is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 43,996 inhabitants.

Tourism

Whale Shark Viewing

Donsol is a popular tourist destination for whale shark viewing which can be seen in its bordering seas. Swimming with whale sharks was featured as the Best Animal Encounter in Asia by Time Magazine in 2004. Whale sharks can be seen between November and June, with presence peaking between February and May.

The presence of whale Sharks in the town of Donsol was known to the local residents over 100 years. But the locals believed these gentle giants were dangerous. This wrong notion changed when in January 1998, a group of scuba divers led by Romir Aglugub – a PADI diving instructor, discovered its presence, and interacted and came in contact with the Whale Sharks. Even the members of the diving group of Romir was having second thought if the fish is docile, until the instructor led the way into the water and came in contact with the whale shark. Copy of video footage taken by the group was passed on to the media and the WWF-Philippines. The original amateur video is on file by the Instructor as proof of the first video recording of the Discovery. By March 1998, Donsol became world-class tourist destination and now known as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World”.

Interaction with the whale sharks is regulated by the local Department of Tourism (DOT) office. WWF guidelines are generally observed to protect the sharks. Rules include limiting the number of swimmers per boat to six, no scuba divers and staying further than three meters from the sharks.

In recent years the number of male sharks have out-numbered female sharks by 20:1. The females that are seen are generally large mature adults in the 7m ~ 9m range. Increasing numbers of sharks show propeller marks on their backs. Anecdotal evidence from local fishermen suggests that prop strikes are from fishing boats in the off-season, rather than from tourist boats in the main February-June tourist season.

In 2006 five sharks were found dead on the surface, within 30 miles of Donsol. They had all been shot at close range. One shark had 13 bullet wounds to the head. The locals blame this on commercial fishermen shooting the sharks if they are caught in their nets. mantas, which are also protected in the Philippines, are also over fished and sold in local markets in the Sorsogon area.

Groups from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines make up the largest groups of visitors. Most book guided tours with dive centers familiar with whale shark interaction.

Accommodations in Donsol

Tourism continues to develop piece meal in Donsol. The first hotel established in the area is the Amor Farm Beach Resort in 1997 followed by the Woodland Beach Resort in 1998 which started off as a family vacation house. Interest to visit the quaint and quiet town grew as soon as news of whale shark sightings grew amongst the international marine biologist community. Tourists can now avail of rooms that cater to all financial budgets, from the backpacker to the family vacationer from various resorts and homestays in Donsol.

Most establishments accept only cash and the nearest bank or ATM is an hour away in Legaspi. Giddy's Place PADI Dive Resort is the only resort that accepts credit card payments to date. It is also the only resort open all year round as the others are only open during whaleshark season (December to May). Landlines are non existent in Donsol and most rely on mobile phones. Internet service just came to Donsol in 2008 using cellular technology. There are a few internet shops in town and Giddy's Place is also the only resort in town with internet and free WiFi, a pool that is also for scuba lessons and Donsol's only in-house Diving Instructor. They are also the only PADI facility in Donsol and the surrounding provinces and has Grade A air and will have Nitrox by March 2011.

Other Attractions in Donsol

Donsol has a not so known but equally unique night Firefly tour and Shrimp-catching night tour available all-year round. Donsol is also becoming the best jump-off and base for divers to the Manta Bowl and San Miguel Island in Ticao due to the existence of better tourist facilities than the other rural towns. Diving in Donsol itself is not allowed. Donsol also has great trekking and biking site due mainly to the abundance of hilly areas and fields.

Barangays

Donsol is politically subdivided into 51 barangays.

Alin Awai Banban Bandi Banuang Gurang Baras Bayawas Bororan Barangay 1 (Pob.) Cabugao Central Barangay 2 (Pob.) Cristo Dancalan De Vera Gimagaan Girawan Gogon Gura

Juan Adre Lourdes Mabini Malapoc Malinao Market Site Barangay 3 (Pob.) New Maguisa Ogod (Crossing) Old Maguisa Orange Pangpang Parina Pawala Pinamanaan Poso Pob. (Barangay 5) Punta Waling-Waling Pob. (Bar Rawis (Poblacion Brgy)

San Antonio San Isidro San Jose San Rafael San Ramon San Vicente Santa Cruz Sevilla Sibago Suguian Tagbac Tinanogan Tongdol Tres Marias (Poblacion Brgy) Tuba Tupas Vinisitahan

External links

• LGU Profile of Donsol, Sorsogon
• Experience the Ultimate Adventure with Whale Shark and Manta Rays
• Dive Donsol. Learn and Enjoy the underwater world in Donsol's only PADI Resort
• Donsol Whale Shark: Central Point of Research on Accommodations for Future Visitors
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code

• Images from a dive trip to Donsol in April 2006 (comments in Swedish)
• WWF's Community-Based Ecotourism and Coastal Resources Management Project in Donsol, Sorsogon

Coordinates: 12°54′29″N 123°35′53″E / 12.908°N 123.598°E / 12.908; 123.598