Introduction
Municipality in Sorsogon, Philippines
For the species of sea hare, see Dolabella auricularia. For the film of the same name, see Donsol (film).
Municipality in Bicol Region, PhilippinesDonsolMunicipalityMunicipality of DonsolPort of Donsol
FlagSealNickname: Whale Shark Tourism Capital of the PhilippinesMap of Sorsogon with Donsol highlightedInteractive map of DonsolDonsolLocation within the PhilippinesCoordinates: 12°54′30″N 123°35′53″E / 12.9083°N 123.5981°E / 12.9083; 123.5981CountryPhilippinesRegionBicol RegionProvinceSorsogonDistrict
1st districtFounded1668Barangays51
(see Barangays)Government  • TypeSangguniang Bayan • MayorRalph Walter Lubiano • Vice MayorMa. Christiana R. Abetria • RepresentativeDette Escudero • Municipal Council
Members
Ma. Christiana R. AbetriaTeodoro B. de GuzmanNicolas A. NatoMary Antoinette G. AquinoHelene A. GarayArgel D. HernandezJerome R. Alcantara IIVictor V. Alim
 • Electorate32,811 voters (2025)Area • Total156.20 km2 (60.31 sq mi)Elevation13 m (43 ft)Highest elevation84 m (276 ft)Lowest elevation0 m (0 ft)Population (2024 census) • Total51,781 • Density331.50/km2 (858.59/sq mi) • Households11,262DemonymDonsolanonEconomy • Income class3rd municipal income class • Poverty incidence37.54% (2021) • Revenue₱ 290.7 million (2024) • Assets₱ 948.7 million (2024) • Expenditure₱ 275.4 million (2024) • Liabilities₱ 287 million (2024)Service provider • ElectricitySorsogon 2 Electric Cooperative (SORECO 2)Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)ZIP code4715PSGC0506207000IDD : area code +63 (0)56Native languages
East Miraya
Tagalog
Donsol, officially the Municipality of Donsol, (Central Bikol: Banwaan kan Donsol; Tagalog: Bayan ng Donsol) is a municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 51,781 people.
It is known for whale shark encounters and its rich marine biodiversity, offering activities like snorkeling, diving, and wildlife exploration.
Geography
[edit]
Donsol is 66 kilometres (41 mi) from Sorsogon City, 571 kilometres (355 mi) from Manila, and 94 kilometres (58 mi) from Legazpi.
Barangays[edit]
Donsol is politically subdivided into 51 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Alin
Awaii (Poblacion)
Banban
Bandi
Banuang Gurang
Baras
Bayawas
Bororan Barangay 1 (Poblacion)
Cabugao
Central Barangay 2 (Poblacion)
Cristo
Dancalan
De Vera
Gimagaan
Girawan
Gogon
Gura
Juan Adre
Lourdes
Mabini
Malapoc
Malinao
Market Site Barangay 3 (Poblacion)
New Maguisa
Ogod (Crossing)
Old Maguisa
Orange
Pangpang
Parina
Pawala
Pinamanaan
Poso Pob. (Barangay 5)
Punta Waling-Waling Dalisay (Poblacion)
Rawis (Poblacion Brgy)
San Antonio
San Isidro
San Jose
San Rafael
San Ramon
San Vicente
Santa Cruz (Itunggan)
Sevilla
Sibago
Suguian
Tagbac
Tinanogan
Tongdol
Tres Marias (Poblacion Brgy)
Tuba
Tupas
Vinisitahan
Climate[edit]
Climate data for Donsol, Sorsogon
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
27(81)
28(82)
29(84)
31(88)
31(88)
30(86)
29(84)
29(84)
29(84)
29(84)
29(84)
28(82)
29(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
22(72)
21(70)
22(72)
23(73)
24(75)
25(77)
25(77)
25(77)
25(77)
24(75)
23(73)
23(73)
24(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
65(2.6)
44(1.7)
42(1.7)
39(1.5)
87(3.4)
150(5.9)
184(7.2)
153(6.0)
163(6.4)
154(6.1)
127(5.0)
100(3.9)
1,308(51.4)
Average rainy days
13.9
9.2
11.0
12.5
19.6
24.3
26.5
25.0
25.5
24.4
19.4
15.1
226.4
Source: Meteoblue
Demographics
[edit]
Population census of DonsolYearPop.±% p.a.1903 6,685—    1918 10,656+3.16%1939 18,050+2.54%1948 20,681+1.52%1960 23,703+1.14%1970 30,548+2.57%1975 32,310+1.13%1980 33,785+0.90%1990 33,159−0.19%1995 36,013+1.56%2000 39,995+2.27%2007 43,996+1.32%2010 47,563+2.88%2015 49,711+0.84%2020 50,281+0.24%2024 51,781+0.71%Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Language[edit]
The majority of the population speak Eastern Miraya, an Albay Bikol language of Inland Bikol group of languages. The language is also spoken in four towns of Albay and some parts of Pilar and Castilla, Sorsogon. It is mutually intelligible with Western Miraya. People of Donsol can also speak and understand Tagalog or Filipino, the national language, and English.
Religion
[edit]
The majority of the people adhere to Catholicism and each barangay has a patron saint and fiestas are held annually. Iglesia ni Cristo is the second largest religion of the population and has several local congregations in the municipality.
Economy
[edit]
Poverty incidence of Donsol
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000 65.14
2003 68.73
2006 54.60
2009 47.30
2012 44.13
2015 46.80
2018 37.10
2021 37.54
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Tourism
[edit]
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Whale shark viewing[edit]
Butanding whale shark in Donsol, Sorsogon
Swimming with whale sharks, locally known as butanding, was featured as the Best Animal Encounter in Asia by Time magazine in 2004. Whale sharks can be seen between November and June, with presence peaking between February and May.
For over a century, Donsol residents believed whale sharks were dangerous. These gentle giants, *Rhincodon typus*, were misunderstood until December 26, 1997, when diving instructor Romir Aglugub and his group encountered them peacefully while scuba diving. At first, Aglugub's fellow divers doubted the gentle nature of whale sharks. However, after swimming with them, they observed their calm behavior. Their experience, documented on video and shared with the media and WWF-Philippines, helped dispel myths and initiated scientific research in Donsol. By 1998, whale sharks became symbols of Donsol’s natural heritage and earned it the title “Whale Shark Capital of the World.” This shift spurred eco-tourism and highlighted the value of education in marine conservation, thanks to Aglugub's efforts.
Interaction with the whale sharks is regulated by the local Department of Tourism (DOT) office. WWF guidelines are generally observed to protect the sharks. Rules include limiting the number of swimmers per boat to six, prohibiting scuba divers, and requiring staying farther than three meters from the sharks.
In recent years the number of male sharks has out-numbered female sharks by 20:1. Generally, the females that are seen are large mature adults in the 7m ~ 9m range. Increasing numbers of sharks show propeller marks on their backs. Anecdotal evidence from local fishermen suggests that prop strikes are from fishing boats in the off-season, rather than from tourist boats during the main February–June tourist season.
In 2006 five sharks were found dead on the surface of the water, within 30 miles of Donsol. They had all been shot at close range. One shark had 13 bullet wounds to the head. The locals blame this on commercial fishermen shooting the sharks if they are caught in their nets. Manta rays, which are also protected in the Philippines, are also over-fished and sold in local markets in the Sorsogon area.
Groups from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines make up the largest groups of visitors. Most tourists book guided tours with dive centers familiar with whale shark interaction.
Other attractions[edit]
Donsol has a night firefly tour and shrimp-catching night tour available all-year round. Donsol also is becoming the best jump-off and base for divers to the Manta Bowl and San Miguel Island in Ticao due to the existence of better tourist facilities. Diving in Donsol itself is not allowed. Donsol also is a trekking and biking site, due mainly to the abundance of hilly areas and fields.
Education
[edit]
There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. These are the:
Donsol East Schools District
Donsol West Schools District
Primary and elementary schools[edit]
Alin Elementary School
Banban Elementary School
Bandi Elementary School
Banuang-Gurang Elementary School
Baras Elementary School
Bayawas Elementary School
Cabugao Elementary School
Cristo Elementary School
Dancalan Elementary School
De Vera Elementary School
Donsol East Central School
Donsol West Central School
Gimagaan Elementary School
Girawan Elementary School
Gogon Elementary School
Gura Elementary School
Juan Adre Elementary School
Lourdes Elementary School
Mabini Elementary School
Malapoc Elementary School
Malinao Elementary School
Nagalon Elementary School
Ogod Elementary School
Ohana Life Academy
Old Maguisa Elementary School
Orange Elementary School
Pangpang Elementary School
Parina Elementary School
Pawala Elementary School
Pinamanaan Elementary School
Rawis Elementary School
San Antonio Elementary School
San Francisco Elementary School
San Isidro Elementary School
San Jose Elementary School
San Rafael Elementary School
San Ramon Elementary School
San Vicente Elementary School
Sevilla Elementary School
Sibago Elementary School
Sta. Cruz Elementary School
Suguian Elementary School
Tagbac Elementary School
Tinanogan Elementary School
Tongdol Elementary School
Tres Maria Elementary School
Tuba Elementary School
Vinisitahan Elementary School
Secondary schools[edit]
Banuang Gurang National High School
Cabugao National High School
Donsol National Comprehensive High School
Donsol National Comprehensive High School (Sta. Cruz Extension High School)
Donsol Vocational High School (Gimagaan)
Donsol Vocational High School (Gogon)
Donsol Vocational High School (Tupas)
