CONDITIONS are perfect for the arrival of basking sharks in Manx waters, after the first official sighting was recorded just before the Easter  break.

With just one day left of the school holidays, it's the final chance for families to get their binoculars out and go searching along the coastline for the gentle giants of the Irish Sea.

One single shark was spotted on the surface near Niarbyl last weekend and the warm weather and calm seas now provide ideal conditions to see more of the huge yet peaceful sharks in the coming months.

The Manx Basking Shark Watch accepts reports on sightings and carries useful information on where to see the world’s second biggest fish when they visit Manx waters.

The Isle of Man is one of the best places in the world to see basking sharks and a number of organised trips can be taken to view the sharks at close quarters.

However, there are strict rules and a code of conduct about how to handle boats when close to the sharks.

Manx law protects basking sharks from harassment, fishing or reckless injury. If you injure one through reckless boat driving you are liable to be prosecuted and fined up to £5000.

It is also against the law to disturb their courtship rituals and it is dangerous for boats to be close to basking sharks at this time as they are liable to breach, leaping clear out of the water.

The official comment is: “If they land on your boat this would be bad press for the basking sharks and very bad news for you and your boat!”

Basking sharks are most commonly seen between mid May and mid August, although they have been spotted in all months of the year when sea conditions permit.

The best places to see them are on the west, south west and southern coasts. Large numbers have been seen together on occasions and sometimes they come in very close to land, such as at Niarbyl Bay. The Manx name for the basking shark is gobbag vooar, which means “big mouth”.

Manx Basking Shark Watch (www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com)