Nature Guide Makes Dream Come True For Scuba Diver Tour Guests

Imagine meeting not one whale shark face to face, but twelve! These scuba divers have traveled from Canada to the Galapagos Islands for the trip of a lifetime. They embarked on a 7 day voyage aboard the Galapagos Sky, a tour boat that would take them to one of the most remote, hostile, and challenging environments on the planet. It is also one of the most beautiful places on Earth. They were hoping for a sighting of a whale shark, the most massive and majestic shark in the ocean. It is the biggest fish and also the biggest animal in the world, with the exception of a few species of whale. They are beautiful creatures and despite their intimidating size, they are harmless and gentle. For a scuba diver, there is no greater experience than to swim with a whale shark. These divers were about to experience something beyond their wildest dreams.Show more

The tourists were under the guidance of Christian Rueda, a very experienced and talented nature guide and scuba diver. They are seasoned adventurers, but they needed specific training about how to dive in the strong currents in the Galapagos. It took Christian several days of intense instruction to increase their skills to the point that they were ready for these dives. Entering the water in rough waves and strong current is not for the faint of heart. After investing so much in this trip, Christian understandably felt a lot of pressure to provide them with the view of a whale shark they were hoping for.

As they braved the waters around Darwin Island, Christian was faced with the biggest challenge. Actually finding these whale sharks is often a nearly impossible task. Studying the conditions carefully, he chose the time and the spot and led the divers to a rock ledge under Darwin's arch, 70 feet below the surface. Incredibly, one of the massive creatures appeared on the second day. Christian had the divers lined up on the wall to watch and wait. Surrounded by hammerhead sharks, sea turtles and fish, it was like watching the most massive and spectacular IMAX screen. When the whale shark slowly cruised past on the ocean current, the divers followed their guide out into the blue to meet it face to face. What they saw and felt when they came close enough to touch this majestic animal cannot be described.

For the next five days, Christian found his guests whale sharks 11 more times. Their experience in the waters of the Galapagos Islands left them in awe. This video provides us with a few highlights from their adventure. Few people have ever met one of these creatures close up and even fewer have met 12 in one week.