Tour Z Palawan marine operations on the water
Marine Operations Team

Tour Z Palawan Crew

The people behind the Puerto Princesa whale shark expedition: booking coordination, boat handling, wildlife spotting, safety briefings and field notes.

5Named Team Members
1Active Operation
10Guest Maximum
WildNo Feeding
LocalPuerto Princesa Knowledge
Operational Expertise

Real crew, specific roles, first-hand water experience.

This page exists for transparency: who coordinates guests, who operates the boat, who reads the sea, and what rules guide decisions around wild whale sharks.

01

Management and guest operations

Founder and Tour Operator

Johann M.

Hometown
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Experience
5 years on the water
Specialties
Scuba diver; whale shark spotter; wildlife behaviour and trip systems
Favourite encounter
Whale shark, dolphin and dugong
Languages
French, English

Builds the field-note systems used to log sea state, wildlife observations and guest safety details.

General Director

Sarah U.

Hometown
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Experience
2 years on the water
Specialties
Guest operations; whale shark spotting; communication standards
Favourite encounter
Whale shark
Languages
English

Keeps the guest experience clear before, during and after the tour.

General Manager

Ivy A.

Hometown
Taytay, Palawan
Experience
2 years in tour operations
Specialties
Tour coordination; guest communication; schedule control
Favourite encounter
Whale shark
Languages
Tagalog, English

Connects bookings, pickup details, crew readiness and day-to-day Puerto Princesa logistics.

02

Puerto Princesa whale shark crew

Boat Captain

Jayson S.

Hometown
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Experience
15 years on the water
Specialties
Boat handling; Puerto Princesa Bay navigation; whale shark behaviour
Favourite encounter
Whale shark
Languages
Tagalog, English

Positions the boat calmly, watches swimmer location and changes route when weather or wildlife behaviour requires it.

Wildlife Spotter

Romeo S.

Hometown
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Experience
12 years on the water
Specialties
Whale shark behaviour; dolphin spotting; open-water wildlife search
Favourite encounter
Dolphins
Languages
Tagalog, English

Reads surface movement, birds, baitfish, dolphins, wind and recent field notes during the morning search window.

See the whale shark tour with this crew
Wildlife Rules

Specific rules guests hear before entering the water.

  • No whale shark feeding, baiting or chasing.
  • No touching the animal.
  • No blocking the whale shark's path.
  • Controlled swimmer numbers.
  • Calm entries only when the crew says conditions are suitable.
Marine Knowledge

How the crew reads Puerto Princesa water.

The search combines calm morning water, wind, visibility, surface activity, birds, baitfish, dolphins, plankton signs and recent crew observations. None of these signs guarantees a whale shark.

Why Different

One vessel choice for one route.

The speedboat suits this offshore search because the crew may need to cover a wide area in a short morning window. Other boat types can suit other Palawan routes; this choice is specific to the whale shark expedition.

Local Roots

Puerto Princesa is not a generic departure point.

The crew works these waters repeatedly. That continuity matters when weather, current, visibility and animal behaviour change day to day.

Safety Infrastructure

How decisions are made before and during every tour.

Weather checksWind, rain, wave height, visibility and captain judgment before departure.
Guest briefingsWildlife distance, boat movement, snorkeling entry and emergency signals.
Life vestsLife vests are provided for every guest; non-swimmers remain welcome with guide support.
Rescue readinessBoat crew monitor swimmer position, current, fatigue and weather changes throughout the tour.
Route flexibilityThe captain can change course, shorten water time or cancel for safety.
Field notesWhale shark, dolphin, sea condition and safety observations are recorded to improve future decisions.
Crew FAQ

Operational questions guests should ask.

Who guides the active Tour Z tour?

The active Tour Z tour is the Puerto Princesa whale shark expedition. It is run by a named operations team, boat captain, wildlife spotter and local crew.

Are guides local to Palawan?

Yes. The active boat crew are based in Puerto Princesa and work the same waters repeatedly during the whale shark season.

What wildlife training does the crew follow?

The crew follows practical rules: no feeding, no baiting, no touching, no chasing, controlled water entries and clear swimmer instructions.

Are whale shark sightings guaranteed?

No. Whale sharks are wild migratory animals. The crew searches carefully, but no ethical operator can guarantee a sighting.