Winners of the 2024 ‘Name a Whale Shark’ Contest

Every year, something magical happens in the Galapagos Islands. Divers don’t just explore one of the world’s most incredible marine ecosystems—they become part of a conservation legacy through our annual ‘Name a Whale Shark’ Contest.

This special tradition allows guests on our Galapagos liveaboard dive expeditions to take an active role in marine science, while also honoring the incredible creatures they meet beneath the waves.

As a thank-you to our amazing dive guests, each person aboard our Citizen Science Expeditions is invited to submit a name idea for a newly tagged whale shark. At the end of the season, our founder, Jenny, randomly selects the winning names from our entries. These names are then assigned to the whale sharks tagged during that year’s Galapagos Whale Shark Project research expedition.

We’re thrilled to introduce the newest additions to the Galapagos Whale Shark Project family:

• Zoya

• Elodie

• Louise

• Joyce

Each name was submitted by one of our dedicated guests during their 2024 dive trip—and now lives on in the ocean as part of our conservation mission.

Thanks to our passionate diving community, we raised over $18,000 USD this season—enough to fund four new satellite tags and provide valuable satellite time to track these gentle giants across the open ocean.

Whale sharks are classified as endangered, and much of their behavior is still a mystery. By tagging them with satellite trackers, researchers can monitor their migration paths, understand their habits, and identify crucial areas for protection.

Your dive isn’t just an unforgettable adventure—it directly funds the research and tools that protect whale sharks for generations to come. This hands-on approach to diving makes our expeditions more than just travel—it’s diving with purpose.

To all our 2024 guests—thank you for being part of this journey. Your support has made a real impact on whale shark conservation, and we can’t wait to dive with you again.

Together, we’re not just naming whale sharks.

We’re protecting them.

Curious about past winners?
👉 Explore the 2023 ‘Name a Whale Shark’ Contest results here.

Want to be part of this unforgettable experience? Our Citizen Science Expeditions offer divers the chance to contribute to real marine research while exploring one of the world’s most iconic dive destinations.

Submit a whale shark name. Witness science in action. Help protect the ocean.

📩 For more details, visit https://www.galapagossharkdiving.com/en/galapagos-dive-liveaboard/

📧 Contact us at: info@galapagossharkdiving.com

👉 Book your adventure today and dive with purpose!