Swimming with Whale Sharks in Mexico | Small Groups & Eco-Friendly
The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
Swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish and sharks in the world! Yes, you read that right: whale sharks are in fact sharks, not whales. They owe the name 'whale shark' to their enormous size and the way they feed; much like whales, they filter plankton and other tiny particles from the ocean.
These impressive, gentle giants reach an average length of 25-40 feet (8-12 meters) and can weigh up to 46,000 lb (21 tons). Although their mouths can be as much as 5 feet (1.5 m) wide, and are filled with rows of tiny teeth, there is no need to worry: they cannot use them to bite or chew. And because they filter their food through their gills and have an incredibly narrow throat, it is physically impossible to be swallowed!
Under normal conditions, whale sharks live to an average of 70 to 100 years. However, recent scientific research suggests that some individuals can even reach 150 years of age! Unfortunately, they are currently listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This is exactly why a sustainable and respectful approach during our tours is so incredibly important.
What do they do in Mexico?
Whale sharks primarily live in the open sea, traveling through tropical and warm waters while covering enormous distances. Because of this, they are often called the 'nomads of the ocean'. Although these giants can dive to depths of up to 5900 feet (1800 m), fortunately for us they spend a lot of time swimming right at the surface.
Like most shark species, whale sharks are not social animals; they are usually solitary. That is, until they come here! Between May and September, many of our spotted friends migrate to the Mexican Caribbean. This region hosts the largest gathering of whale sharks in the world, with on some days over 200 individuals spotted together!
Why do they gather here in such massive numbers? The reason is simple: food. They come to indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet of plankton and fish eggs. While scientists and biologists suspect they might also mate here, it remains a great mystery; no one has ever witnessed whale sharks mating or giving birth in this area.
Whale shark facts
Each whale shark is unique: Their spot pattern is like a human fingerprint, allowing researchers to identify every single individual.
Even though they are the largest fish in the world, they feed on the smallest particles in the sea: plankton and fish eggs. But they do so in impressive quantities: they filter an average of 6,000 to 10,000 liters (approx. 1,500 to 2,600 gallons) of water per hour. When the water is rich in nutrients and they dive headfirst into the buffet, they can process up to 600,000 liters (over 150,000 gallons) of water in a single hour!
Ancient ocean dwellers: They have been around for a very long time; the species originated approximately 60 million years ago.
Whale sharks are completely harmless to humans, there has never been any accident or 'attack' reported in encounters with these docile giants.
The skin of a whale shark can be as thick as 4 inches (10 cm), which in combination with their size makes that they hardly have any natural predators. Sadly, their only real threat is humans, who hunt sharks primarily for their fins.
What is it like to swim with whale sharks?
An unforgettable sea safari in a small group
This is truly a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience and a must-have for your bucket list! Our journey begins in Cancun, where we head out on a boat equipped with modern four-stroke engines. To ensure an intimate experience, we work with small groups of a maximum of 10 guests, accompanied by our highly experienced captain and crew.
The boat ride to the whale shark area usually takes about an hour, but you won't get bored; this is a true sea safari, and we often spot dolphins and sea turtles along the way!
A sustainable & respectful encounter
We operate our tours in a sustainable and animal-friendly way, with a deep respect for the ocean. We don't believe in chasing the sharks in a crowded cluster of boats. Instead, we take the time to find "our own" whale shark, and if needed we venture further out than the others. We also avoid jumping into the water with a massive crowd of people; this isn't just a better experience for you, it’s primarily much better for the shark.
Please remember that whale sharks are an endangered species whose numbers have unfortunately been declining for years. Being able to swim with them is a privilege, not a right. We will do everything in our power to get you in the water with them, provided it is never at the expense of the welfare of the animals themselves.
Into the water: safe and personal
If there are enough whale sharks in the area (more than five), it’s time to jump in! To keep the experience calm and safe, you always enter the water with only two people at a time, and you will of course be accompanied by us or our crew. As experienced guides, we will make sure that you feel safe and that you get the best view of the whale sharks, even if you're not an experienced snorkeler or the strongest swimmer. We will even hold your hand if that makes you feel more comfortable!
We take as long as we can
We prioritize quality time: we are in no rush, and as long as the conditions allow and the sharks are present, we stay until everyone is happy. If we’re lucky, majestic manta rays might even join the party, as these beautiful animals have about the same diet as the whale sharks.
Captured forever: photos & videos included
We record your entire adventure with our GoPro cameras, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the moment without worrying about your own gear. Of course, you are more than welcome to bring your own camera if you prefer!
A major advantage of us handling the filming is that we specifically focus on capturing photos and videos of you right next to the whale shark: perfect for sharing your incredible experience on social media.
All photos and videos of your day are included in the price. After the tour, we’ll provide a link to download your footage in its original, high-resolution quality. Your link remains valid for one year, and as an extra safety net, we archive all footage on our private hard drives for years to come.
Relaxing at Isla Mujeres
After the whale shark adventure, we cruise to Isla Mujeres. We drop anchor in the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the island's most beautiful beach. Here, you can relax with a drink while our wonderful crew prepares a delicious, fresh Caribbean lunch right on the spot.
Want to know more?
Are you not completely convinced or do you want to know more? In our blog Whale shark tours in Mexico: everything you should know we explain a little more in detail about this activity in general and we answer the most frequently asked questions. For everyone who still finds it a bit scary: in our blog What's it like to swim with whale sharks we try to take away all fears of swimming with whale sharks. And finally, if you want to take children to swim with the whale sharks, you should definitely read our latest blog.
When is the Whale Shark season?
This excursion is only available during the official season, which runs from late May to mid-September.
Important: Our tours take place in a completely natural environment, and whale sharks are wild, migratory animals. Because of this, the first month (May) and the last month (September) of the season are less predictable. In May, the whale sharks typically begin their slow return to the area. Some years the season starts early, while in others, the numbers only increase later on. For example, we've had a year in which our first successful tour wasn’t until early June, whereas in other years we’ve had amazing days already in the last week of May.
For this reason, we can not offer a sighting guarantee during the months of May and September, this means that during these specific months, we cannot offer a second tour or a refund if the animals are not found. Of course, we always do our absolute best to find them. Leading up to your excursion, we monitor sea conditions daily. We will inform you shortly before the tour about recent sightings from our captains and others in the area, allowing you to decide if you want to embark on the adventure.
Why choose us?
We love the whale sharks! That is the main reason why we do this tour: we want you, our other guests and anyone who wants to hear it, to learn more about these incredible animals. We hope people will start loving the ocean, all of its creatures and sharks in particular. We are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism practices, and ensure that our tours do not harm the environment or marine life. If there are not enough whale sharks, we don't line up with 100 other boats and we don't chase the whale sharks. We always search further in the hope of finding our "own" whale shark. Sometimes we even find a whole group!
This excursion is very dependent on the weather, so we do not go out every day. We constantly monitor the weather, wind, waves and whale shark behavior in order to choose the best days for the tour. Naturally, this is an outdoors trip, so we can never be 100% sure, but with our many years of experience and in particular the immensely valuable knowledge and input of our captains, we are usually able to choose the right days to set sail. For you, this can mean the difference between the highlight of your holiday and an experience you'll never forget, or a terrible day you won't want to remember.
We always choose our departure times tactically: we depart at different times from most other companies, so we avoid the crowds as much as we can (the majority leave within an hour anyway) and have the whale sharks to ourselves as much as possible.
Our crew is like family to us. We have been working together for years, we know each other well and we are fully attuned to each other. We pay well above average for their services), and this is how we ensure, among other things, that our crew receives a fair wage, which is very important to us. Therefore our prices may be a bit high compared to others, but we really believe in: what you give, you will receive, so it also results in a very pleasant and fun vibe on board, above average quality, and excellent service for our guests. Our crew is very helpful and in no hurry: we get plenty of time in the water to fully enjoy this fantastic experience.
We don't like hidden costs, so our excursion includes everything in the price, so you know exactly where you stand in advance. And we can focus (instead of giving sales pitches and collecting all kinds of 'taxes') on what we really find important and fun: namely giving the most extensive briefing possible, with a lot of information about the whale sharks, their behavior, the rules, and how to swim with them so that you get the most out of this experience.
JOIN US ON THIS SPECTACULAR EXPERIENCE WITH OUR SPOTTED FRIENDS. AN ABSOLUTE MUST-DO ON YOUR TRAVELS IN MEXICO!
Ultimate Whale Shark Experience
Included:
Round trip transportation from your hotel (between Playa del Carmen and Cancun) in a shared comfortable van with max. 10 persons. For pick-ups from the south there is an extra charge. We offer very limited pick-ups in Tulum, ask us for availability. Our boat can also pick you up from Isla Mujeres, and for people coming from Cozumel, we can pick you up from the ferry station in Playa del Carmen.
One of us as a certified guide/photographer with over 10 years of experience. We give a very extensive briefing so you know exactly what to do and what to expect, and we'll be with you during the whole day to help you get the most out of this experience
Taxes of the National Park and the marina
Anti-seasickness medication (optional)
Comfortable shared boat, with a maximum of 10 persons. Fully equipped with GPS, VHF radio, shaded area, first-aid kit
Dive quality snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins), we also have full face masks
Quality time swimming with the whale sharks, no rush, no chasing, multiple jumps
We guarantee seeing the whale sharks. In case we are not able to find any, we will give you a 50% refund, or you can choose to come along again on another day for free
Varied breakfast by a local chef, sandwiches, lunch (ceviche and guacamole) and snacks. We also offer vegetarian and vegan options. Please inform us of any food allergies to take into account.
Water and soft drinks (and beer after the activities)
We take our time to relax with a drink in front of beautiful Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres
All the photos and videos of the day
Private Whale Shark Experience
Included:
Round trip transportation from your hotel (between Playa del Carmen and Cancun) in a private van for your own group of maximum 10 persons. For pick-ups from the south there is an extra charge. Our boat can also pick you up from Isla Mujeres, and for people coming from Cozumel, we can pick you up from the ferry station in Playa del Carmen.
One of us as a certified guide/photographer with over 10 years of experience. We give a very extensive briefing so you know exactly what to do and what to expect, and we'll be with you during the whole day to help you get the most out of this experience.
Taxes of the National Park and the marina
Anti-seasickness medication (optional)
Comfortable private boat just for your own group of maximum 10 persons, fully equipped with GPS, VHF radio, shaded area, first-aid kit
Dive quality snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins), we also have full face masks
Quality time swimming with the whale sharks, no rush, no chasing, multiple jumps
We guarantee seeing the whale sharks. In case we are not able to find any, we will give you a 50% refund, or you can choose to come along again on another day for free
Varied breakfast by a local chef, sandwiches, lunch (ceviche and guacamole) and snacks. We also offer vegetarian and vegan options. Please inform us of any food allergies to take into account.
Water and soft drinks (beer and wine after the activities)
We take our time to relax with a drink in front of beautiful Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres
All the photos and videos of the day
Some important info and rules for swimming with the whale sharks:
Whale sharks are endangered and protected animals and the activities are regulated by federal law.
Touching the whale sharks is strictly forbidden
Life jackets are mandatory (and included). As an alternative, wetsuits are also allowed for positive buoyancy. Wetsuits are not included in the tour, but available for rent at the marina or you can bring your own
This tour is not recommended for people who suffer from cardiac, respiratory or back problems, pregnant women, children under 5 years old or people who do not have basic swimming skills. People under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to participate.
This activity might be re-scheduled for reasons of major cause such as weather or sea conditions. Port authorities decide.
We guarantee seeing the whale sharks. In consultation with you we choose the best day (in terms of weather conditions and the chance to see whale sharks) to go out. In case we are unable to find any whale sharks, we will give you a 50% refund, or you can choose to come along again on another day for free.
We can not guarantee swimming with the whale sharks, by federal regulations no one is allowed in the water if there are less than 5 whale sharks in the area, in order not to stress out the animals. You will still be able to watch them. In our experience, in the last few years all of our clients have been able to swim with the whale sharks
(Chemical) sunscreen is very harmful for the marine life and therefore not allowed. You can use biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen only in the morning before boarding the boat (we'll also bring some if you don't have your own)
It is even better to use alternative sun protection like (long-sleeved) rash-guards or shirts, face scarfs (buffs), hats or caps. As of now we also have caps and beautiful hoodies made of bamboo for sale. Of course they have a whale shark print! Available on our tour.
What to bring
Towels
Comfortable, fresh clothing and long-sleeved shirts or rash-guards
Hat or cap
Sun glasses
Swimsuit and sandals
Biodegradable reef-safe sunscreen - to apply only after swimming. Please make sure to apply your sunscreen (especially on face, neck and ears) before leaving for the tour in the morning.
Optional: a wetsuit (also available for rent at the marina)
Camera (water resistant)
Money for tips & souvenirs