THE DAY I LIVED MY DREAM: SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS, TURTLES AND SARDINES

 

“Chasing Dreams Down Winding Roads”  

The Day It All Began- 3AM Wake-Up Calls and Dreams Underwater

The day started way before the sun even thought about rising. My alarm went off at a brutal 2:45 AM, and as I slowly opened my eyes, there was that split second where I thought, “Why am I awake this early again?” Then I remembered, today was the day. The day I would swim with whale sharks, sardines, and sea turtles. And suddenly, exhaustion took a back seat to excitement.

Even though I went to bed early the night before, my body was begging for more sleep. But travel isn’t always about comfort, it’s about chasing experiences that make you feel alive. So I shook off the drowsiness, grabbed my gear, and waited in the quiet darkness for the van to pick me up in front of my hotel around 3:30 AM.

There was something magical about that early hour, when the city was still asleep, and only a few of us were wide-eyed and ready to dive into adventure. I was tired, yes, but my heart was already swimming.

Rainy Roads and Familiar Faces – The Journey to Oslob Begins

When the van finally pulled up in the early hours of the morning, the adventure started to feel real. We were a small group, intimate, quiet, half-asleep but filled with quiet anticipation. Inside the van were two sweet Japanese girls I hadn’t met yet, and, surprisingly, the Australian guy from my tour the day before. What were the odds? Somehow, we both ended up booking the same tour again, back-to-back. It felt comforting to see a familiar face so early in the morning. In moments like these, when you're traveling solo on the other side of the world, even the smallest sense of connection can mean so much.

We exchanged sleepy smiles and started chatting again, picking up where we left off the day before. It was nice to know I wouldn’t be completely alone on this new adventure, that I had someone to talk to, laugh with, and share the ride.

As we started driving through the dark roads of Cebu, the rain began to fall. Not just a drizzle, real rain. The kind that taps hard on the window and makes you wonder if the day ahead will go as planned. I stared outside, watching the blurry outlines of palm trees and little towns rush by, and for a moment, I felt a bit unsure. Would the rain ruin everything?

But deep down, I held onto a little hope, that maybe, just maybe, the sea would still show us her magic, even through the storm.

Bumpy Roads and Sleepless Miles – Chasing a Dream at Dawn

As the van rumbled along the winding roads of Cebu, I tried to steal a little sleep, just enough to feel human again before diving into the sea. But the road had other plans. It was bumpy. Every few minutes, just as I’d start to drift off, another jolt would snap me back awake. It was like trying to nap on a roller coaster made of potholes.

Despite the rough ride, there was a strange calm in the van. Rain tapped steadily on the windows, and everyone was quietly lost in their own thoughts. Some slept. Some stared into the dark. I just kept thinking about what was waiting for me at the end of this ride, those gentle giants of the sea.

Around 6 AM, after what felt like forever, we finally arrived. The sky was still gray, the air damp, and the rain hadn’t quite let go yet, but we had made it. We pulled into the whale shark park, where the magic was supposed to happen.

It didn’t look like much at first, just a quiet, open space with boats lined up along the shore and sleepy guides moving around. But I knew what lay beyond those boats. This was it. The place I’d dreamed of for so long. The place where I’d come face to face with creatures I had only seen in documentaries and travel videos.

I was tired. I was a little cold. But I was ready.

“Heartbeats and Giants: My First Dive”

Waiting for Giants – Coffee, Laughter, and Nervous Butterflies

As soon as we arrived at the whale shark park, our guide gathered us for a quick but important orientation. Before getting anywhere near the water, we had to learn how to respect the incredible creatures we were about to meet. We watched an educational video explaining the do’s and don’ts, no touching, no flash photography, and always keep a respectful distance. It was a good reminder that we were stepping into their home, not the other way around.

After the video, we were given our numbers, which would decide which boat we’d go out on. Ours wasn’t up for a while, so we had about an hour to wait. And honestly? I didn’t mind. The early morning stillness, the ocean stretching out in the distance, the quiet buzz of people arriving, it all added to the atmosphere.

We found a spot to sit and had a little coffee and something light to eat. I ended up chatting with the Australian guy again, we were laughing, swapping stories, and the time just flew. There’s something so special about these small, unplanned travel friendships. They make the moments in between just as memorable as the main events.

The sky was still cloudy, but the rain had stopped. The air was cool and soft, and the sea looked a little mysterious in that early morning light. I couldn’t help but wonder, what will I see down there? Will the water be clear? Will I really be swimming next to whale sharks?

I didn’t have all the answers, but my heart was racing. This was the moment I had been waiting for since I started planning this trip. The butterflies were dancing in my stomach, but they weren’t nerves. They were excitement. Pure, wild, electric excitement.

Into the Blue – The Moment I Saw Them

Around 7 AM, our number was finally called. It was time.

We walked toward the wooden boats lined up along the shore, each one carrying small groups of travelers like us, nervous, excited, and full of wonder. There must have been 20, maybe 30 boats out on the water, gently rocking next to each other like puzzle pieces floating side by side. It was a system, but it also felt like organized chaos. Everyone was told the same thing: Remember your boat number, because once you’re in the water, everything looks the same, and it’s easy to lose your way when your head’s full of whale sharks.

We climbed into our boat, settled in, and the guides began to paddle us out, just a short distance from the shore, maybe 100 meters. The coast was still visible, but already the ocean started to feel deeper, wilder, more alive.

And then… I saw them.

Even before we got into the water, we could see the shapes moving beneath the surface. Giant heads slowly rising up, mouths wide open, pouring in seawater as they fed. It was unreal. Like something from a dream, or a slow-motion nature documentary playing right in front of my eyes. These gentle giants weren’t aggressive or scary, they were calm, graceful, and massive.

There was no turning back now. The moment I had imagined so many times was right there in front of me.

I was about to swim with the largest fish in the ocean.

Face to Face with Giants – A Moment That Shook My Soul

As our boat gently came to a stop, our guide turned around with a calm voice and a little grin, like he knew something we didn’t. He told us there were about six or seven whale sharks swimming around us. Just casually. Right there. Waiting.

He pointed to the water and said, “You’ll see them once you get in.”

And then it was time. One by one, we slid into the water, careful and quiet. I held my breath, not out of fear, but out of something deeper. Anticipation. Wonder. Maybe even disbelief.

These were not just big fish. These were massive, majestic, otherworldly beings. One of them was at least five meters long, gliding through the water like a living submarine. Another, smaller one, if you can call three and a half meters small, moved with this almost shy grace. That one was a female, and they told us she was the youngest in the group.

They were right there beside me. Close enough to feel the power in their movements, yet peaceful in a way I didn’t expect. Their bodies shimmered in shades of gray and white, speckled with the most beautiful patterns, like the stars had fallen onto their skin.

I couldn’t believe how gentle they were. Massive heads, wide open mouths, sucking in plankton with no concern for us humans floating awkwardly beside them. And yet, they moved with such calm, such wisdom. They didn’t fear us. They just were.

My heart was racing the entire time, but in the best way possible. I was floating in the presence of giants, and I’ve never felt so small, so humbled, and so alive.

Time disappeared. I had no idea how long we were in the water. Ten minutes? Twenty? It could’ve been five or fifty. All I know is, I didn’t want it to end.

45 Minutes of Magic – A Dream I Still Can’t Believe Was Real

We had 45 minutes in the water.

Forty-five whole minutes with the whale sharks.

But in my mind? It felt like five. Maybe less. Time melted away the second I dove in. Everything else disappeared, the boats, the people, even the cloudy sky. There was just me... and them.

I spent every single second trying to capture it all. The way their tails moved. The slow, powerful rhythm of their swimming. The glint of the morning light reflecting off their spotted skin. I wanted to freeze every movement in my mind, to hold onto the feeling forever.

I was beyond excited, buzzing with energy, wide-eyed like a child. I was so happy. So present. There was this deep, overwhelming feeling that I was exactly where I was meant to be in that moment. Living something that others only dream about. And even now, long after it's passed, it still doesn’t feel real.

Even today, when I close my eyes, I can still see them, those beautiful giants, moving beside me like protectors of the sea. It’s something you can’t really explain. Not with words. You have to feel it. You have to be there. And once you are… you're never quite the same again.

Saltwater, Showers, and Smiles – Still Floating After the Swim

When we finally climbed out of the water, soaked and breathless, there was only one thing any of us could talk about that massive giant we had just swum beside. It didn’t matter what language you spoke or where you were from we were all speaking the same language in that moment: pure, wide-eyed awe.

The energy was electric. Everyone was smiling, laughing, shaking their heads like, “Did that really just happen?” We couldn’t stop replaying the moment out loud the size, the grace, the stillness of the sea around them. It was the kind of shared experience that instantly bonds people together.

We headed back to shore, still in our wet clothes, still half-floating with joy. A quick freshwater shower, a towel over sun-kissed shoulders, and we were back in the van still buzzing, still glowing, ready for the next chapter of the day.

Because this adventure wasn’t over yet.

Bumpy Roads & Restless Hearts – On the Way to Moalboal

After one of the most surreal experiences of my life, I climbed back into the van feeling both euphoric and completely drained. My heart was full, my hair still salty, and all I wanted in that moment was a soft seat and a quick nap.

We had a few hours of driving ahead of us before reaching our next destination Moalboal, the home of the famous sardine run and the peaceful sea turtles I was dreaming of meeting.

So, I got cozy. I leaned against the window, wrapped myself in my towel, and let my mind drift. But… the road had other plans.

It was the same bumpy rollercoaster we had taken earlier that morning twists, turns, potholes, and all. Every time I started drifting off, another bump would bounce me right back into consciousness. Sleep was more of a suggestion than a reality.

But even with the rough ride, there was something peaceful about it. I looked around the van some people dozing off, some staring out the window, all of us still glowing from the whale shark swim. I couldn’t help but smile. Tired or not, this day was already unforgettable.

And the best part? It wasn’t even over yet.

“A Symphony of Fins and Scales”

“Ready, Set, Dive: Preparing for a Day I’ll Never Forget”

We arrived in Moalboal around eleven o’clock. Even though we were exhausted from the long drive, the excitement bubbling inside us was enough to keep us wide awake. The next part of the adventure was waiting, and none of us wanted to waste a second.

We headed straight to grab our gear life vests, masks, snorkels and changed into our swimsuits. Our guide had already planned everything perfectly. Before we went to the water, he took us to a small local restaurant nearby to order our lunch in advance. That way, when we finished snorkeling, our food would already be waiting for us. I thought that was such a smart and thoughtful idea.

I ordered a local chicken dish something simple but traditional while chatting with the others. There were four of us in the group: me, an Australian guy, and two Japanese girls. Our instructor joined us along with another guide who carried a GoPro, ready to capture all the underwater moments.

As we prepared to head down to the shore, a group of local kids approached us, trying to sell bracelets, magnets, and other small souvenirs. They couldn’t have been older than six or seven, maybe up to thirteen or fourteen. Their smiles were bright, but their eyes told stories of struggle. It was heartbreaking to see how hard they worked just to earn a little for themselves. We promised them we’d come back after the swim to buy something, and I meant it.

And then, it was time. We walked toward the water, the sun burning softly on our shoulders, the sea stretching endlessly before us. Masks in hand, hearts racing. This was the moment we had all been waiting for.

That’s where the real fun began.

“Breathless and Bewildered: My Turtle Surprise”

We slowly stepped into the water, the sea cooler than I expected, the salt instantly clinging to my skin. Each pair got a buoy to hold on to, the two Japanese girls shared one, while the Australian guy and I held on to another. One of the guides started pulling the girls farther out toward the open water, while another did the same for us.

The sea that afternoon was different, a little wild, a little moody. Not dangerous, but restless. The wind had picked up, and small waves kept rolling over us, splashing against our faces. Compared to the calm water we’d had during the whale shark experience earlier that day, this felt like another world, unpredictable, alive, playful in its own chaotic way.

After a few minutes, the guides stopped and started talking among themselves. “Okay, okay, here is good,” one of them said. Then he turned to me, smiled, and signaled with his fingers: one, two, three, breathe in.

I had no idea what was about to happen. I thought maybe he’d point out a turtle nearby. So, I did what he said, took a deep breath, and suddenly he pulled me down under the water toward the sea floor. I wasn’t prepared for that at all. Panic hit me instantly. I tried to push myself up, fighting against the pull, desperate to reach the surface again.

When I finally came up gasping for air, he looked frustrated and said, “Why are you fighting me? You need to go down! There’s a turtle there!” I just stared at him, still shocked. A turtle? You could have mentioned that before trying to drown me!

Before I could even recover, he started counting again, one, two, three! and down we went. This time I managed a little better, though my heart was still racing.

He eventually left me holding onto the buoy and went to help the others. Luckily for them, they’d seen what happened to me first, so they were more prepared when it was their turn.

When my turn came again, I was ready. I took a deep breath, and this time I let him pull me down without panic. And there it was, a huge sea turtle resting on the bottom of the ocean. It was magnificent. Its shell was massive and perfectly patterned, its movements slow and graceful, like a creature that had seen it all and had no rush to be anywhere. I was mesmerized.

A moment later, he signaled again, another dive, another chance. This time, the turtle was swimming upward, gliding closer and closer. I didn’t expect it to come that close. For a second, I thought we were going to collide. My guide wasn’t too happy about that, maybe he thought I’d scared the turtle away, but honestly, I was just amazed. It felt surreal to be that close to such a beautiful creature.

After everyone had their turns and the underwater photographer got his shots, the guides started pulling us toward another section of the reef. I could already see small flashes of silver flickering below the surface, thousands of them.

The sardine run was waiting.

“Floating Above a Living Cloud”

They pulled us through the water for what must have been ten minutes, the two buoys bobbing along the surface as we drifted farther from shore. The sea was deep and alive beneath us, and I could feel my heartbeat syncing with the rhythm of the waves.

I was holding onto the buoy while the Australian guy gently pushed from behind, motioning for me to look down. I dipped my face into the water, and my breath caught instantly.

It was dark beneath us, but not because of depth or shadows. It was dark because the ocean was full, filled with hundreds upon hundreds of shimmering sardines moving together like one giant living cloud. They surrounded us completely, swirling and twisting in perfect unison. The sunlight broke through the water in silver flashes as they turned, their scales reflecting like tiny mirrors.

I still get goosebumps just thinking about that moment. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen, an endless dance of life right below me. A huge smile spread across my face inside my snorkel mask. I couldn’t believe this was real, that I was really there, floating above this natural wonder.

Me. A girl from Macedonia, who had fought her way through so many struggles, was now halfway across the world, witnessing one of the ocean’s greatest spectacles. Pride, joy, disbelief, it all rushed through me at once.

I turned to the two Japanese girls and gestured for them to look down. They hadn’t noticed yet. The moment they did, both of them screamed through their snorkels, completely shocked. Their reaction made me laugh so hard I almost swallowed seawater. But honestly, I understood, it was overwhelming, even a little eerie, being surrounded by that many fish. Everywhere you looked, it was just movement, silver, light, and shadow, the whole sea alive beneath you.

“Frozen, Thrilled, and Completely Alive”

They pulled us to another section of the reef, and one of the guides dove down first to check the spot. A few seconds later, he surfaced, nodded, and said something to the other guy, this is a good place.

And that’s when the real excitement began.

Just like before, one, two, three, take a deep breath and dive. They pulled us down beneath the surface, and suddenly we were surrounded by thousands of sardines moving in every direction. As we sank lower, the massive school scattered and swirled around us like a silver storm. Through the shimmering chaos, I could see the second guide on the other side, filming everything as we swam toward him, completely lost in this underwater galaxy of fish.

It was the most surreal feeling, swimming right through that living cloud of movement and light. I still couldn’t believe I was actually experiencing this, seeing something so extraordinary with my own eyes.

Each of us took turns diving down again and again, capturing photos and videos, until we finally had a few moments just to float there, watching, breathing, existing quietly among millions of tiny lives.

But the water was icy cold. Even with the snorkeling suits, I could feel the chill sinking into my bones. My body was shivering, but I didn’t want it to end.

Eventually, our guides started pulling us back toward the shore. As I climbed out of the water, dripping and trembling, I felt overwhelmed, not from the cold, but from everything that day had given me.

I still couldn’t quite believe what had just happened. What I had seen. What I had lived.

Some people go their whole lives without witnessing anything like that, and I felt so incredibly lucky, and proud. Proud not just of the experience, but of myself. Because this entire journey, every plan, every bus, every tour, every detail, I had organized it all on my own. No help, no agency. Just me, my curiosity, and a dream I refused to let stay a dream.

And that day in Moalboal proved it, that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you dare to plan for yourself.

“Tides of Memory: Wrapping Up a Perfect Day”

When we climbed out of the water, still dripping and smiling, the guides led us back to the van. They had everything ready, buckets of fresh water, shower gel, even shampoo, so we could wash the salt from our hair and skin. It felt amazing to rinse off the sea and slip into dry clothes again.

As soon as we stepped out, the same little boys and girls we’d seen earlier were already waiting for us, holding up bracelets, magnets, and small wooden turtles. Their persistence was both sweet and heartbreaking. Of course, all of us bought something. I picked out a small hand-carved turtle, now it hangs proudly on my fridge, and a whale-shark keychain for my friend back home. They were simple things, but they meant so much. Tiny reminders of an unforgettable day.

Clean, hungry, and still buzzing with excitement, we headed to the nearby restaurant where our lunch was waiting. The timing was perfect, everything was already prepared when we arrived. I still remember the sizzling sound and delicious smell of my dish, I think it was chicken sisig, though I can’t be completely sure. Whatever it was, it tasted incredible.

We ate on a big terrace overlooking the sea, the breeze soft against our faces. From up there, we could still see the bright splashes of snorkelers in the water, their laughter echoing faintly across the shore. It was one of those peaceful in-between moments, tired but happy, hungry but content, your heart so full it feels like it might burst.

After lunch, our guide called us back to the van. It was time to go. As the engine started and we began the long drive toward Cebu City, I looked out at the fading coastline. The sun was low, the sea glittered like glass, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

Our incredible day had come to an end, a day that began with whale sharks and ended with a million sardines, and I knew deep down that this was one I’d remember for the rest of my life.

“Packing Memories, Chasing Horizons”

From Whale Sharks to Sardine Run: The Day I’ll Never Forget

We got back into the van, ready for the long drive back to Cebu City, more than four hours of bumpy roads already waiting for us. It was the same road we took earlier that morning, and honestly, sleeping was almost impossible. I tried, though. I wrapped myself in a blanket because it was freezing inside (the AC was going crazy!) and stretched out across the four seats I had all to myself. The Australian guy did the same.

Every time I’d start drifting off, another bump would wake me up. But to be honest, it wasn’t just the bumps keeping me awake, it was the adrenaline still rushing through me. The excitement. The pride. The disbelief that I had just experienced something so magnificent.

I couldn’t stop replaying everything in my head, walking along the Great Wall of China, seeing the tiniest primate in the world just a meter away from me, swimming beside whale sharks, gliding next to sea turtles, and diving into the middle of a sardine run. How was all this real?

I kept smiling to myself, feeling grateful and amazed at how much I’d seen in just a few days, and excited for what was still waiting for me. The road was long, but somehow, it passed quickly.

We reached Cebu City around 5 p.m. I went straight to my hotel, took a long, warm shower, changed into clean clothes, and headed out for one last walk around the city. I visited a few spots I hadn’t managed to see before, like the church and park in the city center, and wandered through the busy streets one more time.

Before heading back, I stopped at the night market again for some local street food, because honestly, how could I resist? Then I returned to my room, packed my bags, and got ready for the next chapter of my adventure: Palawan.

Tomorrow, I’d be flying to Puerto Princesa for another unforgettable experience. But that’s a story for the next post.

That night, I fell asleep with a full heart, still feeling the ocean on my skin and the echoes of the whale sharks in my dreams. 💙

The Journey Continues: From Cebu to Puerto Princesa

The next morning, I woke up early and went out for breakfast, since it wasn’t included at the Southpole Central Hotel. After eating, I packed up my suitcases, ordered a Grab (which is basically the Southeast Asian version of Uber), and headed to the airport.

Once I arrived, I checked in my luggage and went through security, I already had my ticket on my phone, so the process was pretty smooth. Cebu Airport honestly surprised me. It’s one of the most beautiful airports I’ve seen so far, modern, bright, full of amenities, and with plenty of spots to relax or grab a snack while waiting for your flight.

My flight to Puerto Princesa was scheduled for 2:40 p.m., and in just about an hour and twenty-five minutes, I was landing in Palawan at 4:05 p.m. The flight went by quickly, and before I knew it, I was stepping into another new adventure.

(By the way, the whale shark + sardine run + turtle snorkeling tour I did in Oslob and Moalboal cost around €120 per person, which I booked through the GetYourGuide app, and it was worth every single euro!)

As I looked out the airplane window before landing, I couldn’t help but feel excited again. A new destination, new memories waiting to be made, and a whole new story to tell.

But that’s for my next blog post, the adventure in Puerto Princesa. 🌴

Stay tuned, because things are only getting better from here!

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