Christmas Island - when to go?

I'm based in Hong Kong and we get time off work at the end of January 2009 for Chinese New Year. I was wondering if it would be a good time to go to Christmas Island? I heard there are whale sharks there but I'm not sure if they're there at the end of January.

It's a long trip from Hong Kong so I want to be sure we not wasting our money. My buddies and I are amateur photographers and we've already gone diving within and outside Asia. We're looking for some place special. thanks.

I am currently researching this exact question. A friend who has been there said anytime between December and March for whale sharks so I emailed Christmas Island Divers asking them the absolute best time within the season and they said January February but that it was also monsoon season and if the swells were up we'd have to dive the other side of the island where there are less whale sharks.

We are currently getting our travel agent to put together a package. When we know that we will weigh up cost vs monsoon risk.

Might see you there

Mary