This first video shows a bit of how the process works. The boat gets close to the whale shark (but not to close) and while its getting in place you hang over the edge of the boat. Once the boat is in position you jump from the boat and start swimming like crazy to get to the whale shark.

This second video is from our first swim with our first whale shark. While you look at them from the boat they appear to be slow but when you are in the water with them they are actually moving quite fast. It was a struggle to keep pace with them.