How fast does a whaleshark go?

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are known for their large size and gentle nature. While they are not considered fast swimmers compared to other marine animals like dolphins or tuna, they can still move at a respectable speed. The average swimming speed of a whale shark is around 5 kilometers per hour (3 miles per hour). However, they have been known to reach bursts of speed up to 18 kilometers per hour (11 miles per hour) when startled or pursuing prey.