Whale shark
Rhincodon typus
Sighting evidence at Kisite Reef, Diani / Shimoni
Photo: Simon Pierce · CC BY-NC
The world's largest fish arrives at Kisite seasonally, drawn by plankton blooms triggered by the northeast monsoon upwelling. Individuals reaching 8 to 12 metres cruise slowly at the surface just beyond the reef crest, filter-feeding with their enormous mouths agape. Encounters are typically unhurried and prolonged — divers can pace alongside for 20 minutes or more. Photo-ID research using their unique spot patterns contributes to Indian Ocean population monitoring.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Whale shark is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.