Whale sharks Cancún – Swim with the giants on the best Caribbean tour

The aggregation of whale sharks just off Cancún is one of the biggest in the world! If you want to experience one of the best marine life migratory events on our planet, swimming with the whale sharks in the Mexican Caribbean is definitely something you need to have on your bucket list! In case you didn’t know, whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea and one of the most graceful animals in the water. Keep reading this article to find out everything you need to know about the whale sharks visiting Cancún and the tours you can go on to swim with the gentle giants!

Photo by Lluís Masuet

 

When is the whale sharks season in Cancún?

If you are looking to go to Mexico for the whale shark season bare in mind it takes place from the end of May until mid September. The best part of the season is between the end of June and July when massive aggregations of whale sharks are most likely to happen. By massive we mean twenty plus whale sharks! And, if you are at the right place and at the right time, you could even see hundreds of them. On a good day, there are between 100 and 400 whale sharks in the area. 

Photo by Lluís Masuet

 

The largest whale shark migration on Earth!

During the whale sharks season in Cancún, over 1400 individuals have been counted!

The reason why we find so many whale sharks in the Mexican Caribbean is because in this area the black tuna is spawning at this same time. The marine protected area is where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea. As the warm water of the Gulf encounters the nutrient rich colder water, plankton is brought up to the surface.  Thus, whale sharks can feast on delicious fish eggs for several months. This allows them to vary their diet from the usual plankton and krill to something more nutritious. 

Whale sharks are filter feeders which means they ingest large amounts of water to then filter their food from it. One cool fact is that whale sharks feed in different positions so when you swim with them they will be either feeding horizontally or vertically.  In any case, the mouth will be close to the surface, swallowing big chunks of water to get in as much food as possible. 

Photo by Álvaro Herrero

 

Where exactly can you swim with the whale sharks?

The whale shark snorkelling area is located between Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox in the open sea. One of the hotspots is just East of Contoy island. The federal protected area is known as Reserva De La Biosfera Del Tiburon Ballena. The way to get to the whale shark feeding point is by speed boat which usually leaves from Punta Sam (Cancún). Once on the speedboat it will take you between an hour and an hour and a half to reach the whale shark location.

Tours usually start early in the morning. Because the number of boats which can be in the marine park at the same time is limited, there are a few different slots.

Most tour operators offer hotel pick-up from different locations (Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancún). ProDive International offers pickup by van from any hotel along the Riviera Maya and Cancun, from the ferry pier to Cozumel, as well as by boat from Isla Mujeres.

Bare in mind that, most likely, your day will start between 5 and 6am, which is definitely worth it if you wish to have a magical snorkelling experience with the biggest fish in the sea!

Some operators, like Solo Buceo, which is based in Cancún, do boat pick up from selected hotels and can even get you from Isla Mujeres on their way out.

Photo by Álvaro Herrero

 

How it works? The rules for any whale shark tour from Cancún

Once the speedboat arrives to the feeding area, there are some rules to be followed in order for everyone to have the best experience possible. Not only for the guests, but also for the whale sharks.

The Mexican government takes the protection of the whale sharks around Cancún very seriously. That is why, each boat can have a maximum of 10 people on board.

Also, when snorkelling with the whale sharks, only two people plus the guide can jump in the water at a time. Once you cannot keep up with the whale shark(s) any longer (they look like slow swimmers but they are actually very fast!) then it will be the turn for the next two people. Some operators limit the time and one go can be anything between 3 and 10 minutes. Rest assured, this is enough time as you will actually have to kick hard if you want to swim alongside the sharks. 

Usually, each group gets to do three rounds of swimming with the whale sharks. Sometimes, if you tip the captain you could get four ☺

This system ensures that not too many people are in the water at the same time and thus the whale sharks are calm and stay in the area for longer.

 

Here are the most important rules for the whale shark tours from Cancún:

Photo by Lluís Masuet

 

1. Do not touch the whale shark at any time!

Their skin is not designed to deal with human bacteria, so if you touch them you could give them something called the “shark burn”. This is painful for them and in large amounts it could even be life threatening. Also, if you touch a whale shark you will be breaking the law, as it is illegal in Mexico.

It is recommended to keep a distance of 5m/16ft from the whale sharks. The minimum acceptable is 2m/6.5ft.

 

2. Use ocean friendly sunscreen

Regular sunscreen doesn’t only damage the reefs but is also toxic for other marine life so please be responsible with the sunscreen you wear. Rash guards and leggings with SPF protection are a great alternative to sunscreen. We would recommend wearing a pair in any case as it also protects from plankton bites. 

 

3. You will have to wear a life jacket

During all whale shark tours it is mandatory to wear a flotation device at all times. In the area where most boats are gathered, it is obligatory to wear a life jacket. An exception to that rule is only made when you encounter a shark away from the main action and there are no other boats around. In that case, you will have to wear a wetsuit. The wetsuit rental is normally charged extra so if you have your own wetsuit then bring it along to the tour.

 

4. Listen to your guide!

The guides and the whole boat crew need to take several courses and pass exams in order to be able to work in the marine protected area. They are experts in running the tours, so please pay close attention to their briefing and follow all the rules. The team wants you and the rest of the group to have the best and safest experience possible while protecting the whale sharks, so please follow the instructions and their lead. 

 

Photo by Álvaro Herrero

 

Enjoying some time at Isla Mujeres

After swimming with the whale sharks some boats will make a stop in the area around Isla Mujeres. You can go snorkelling at the colourful reef or simply relax on the boat. Afterwards the boat will anchor in the bay.

Here the sea is a splendid turquoise color and there is a beautiful view towards the sandy beaches of Isla Mujeres, such a great sight for you to watch! This stop will be accompanied by delicious Mexican seafood, beers, fruit and other snacks. You can ask for vegetarian/vegan alternatives when you book the trip if you are vegetarian/vegan.

From Isla Mujeres it will take around twenty minutes to go back to Punta Sam. The whole excursion from pick up to drop off will last around 7 hours. 

Photo by Lluís Masuet

 

Video and photography tips 

If you are planning to take photos of the whale sharks make sure you have a wide angle or fish eye lens. For video, we would highly recommend to attach your action camera to a long selfie stick. In that way you can keep a safe distance from the animals and not disturb them while filming.

Our top tip is: start swimming towards the shark(s) as soon as you hit the water! This is your only chance to swim alongside it for more than a few seconds or to “overtake” it. In order not to disturb the animals, the boats will not drop anyone right in front or in the way of the whale sharks. If you want to take those front shots, you will have to race it or be lucky enough for a shark to approach you.

Photo by Álvaro Herrero

 

What to bring for swimming with the whale sharks around Cancún

For the whale shark tours in Cancun we recommend you to bring your own mask and snorkel. On the boats you will have brand new gear, but if you have a mask, which fits your face perfectly, you will have an even better experience with it. 

If you want to be able to keep up with the whale sharks, do bring your own fins!

A rash guard is a must! If you do not have one, do take any white t-shirt along, you will have a very long day in the sun. If you have leggings with SPF protection, you will not regret taking those along as well.

Don’t forget to pack a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, underwater camera, your swimming suit and potentially a wetsuit as well. Make sure you check your SD card and charge your  camera batteries the day before!

Important tip! If you are prone to get seasick or not sure if you might be, take motion sickness pills at least half an hour before the boat ride. Even if the sea is very calm, once you reach the whale shark feeding area the boat will be shaky for a a few hours as you will have all the other boats manoeuvring around and making waves. Alternatively, you can also take motion sickness gum. Unlike the pills, this works within 5-10 minutes after you take it, even if you’re sea sick already.

 

Fun facts & insights

Did you know that locals used to call whale sharks “Dominoes” like the board game? This was before whale shark snorkelling tourism started and when the locals where not sure what these giant animals where. They named them “Dominoes” because of the white spots on its back. 

Photo by Lluís Masuet

Also, another interesting piece of information about whale shark tours is that there is a high chance to see manta rays and dolphins as well! So keep an eye everywhere while you are snorkelling with the gentle giants in the sea.

If you happen to be in Cancún during the months of November and December, you can also plan a scuba diving trip to the spectacular Manta Valley.

 

Booking your trip

Planning to take the most amazing summer tour in Mexico? Here are the two best operators offering the whale shark tour in Cancún.

Solo Buceo

Solo Buceo is a local family owned dive business with the highest standards and the most friendly and helpful staff. They have 4 boats, which run the whale shark tour all summer and have been in the scuba diving business for more than 26 years. Depending on where you are staying, they also provide pick-up directly with the boat, so you can sleep longer and less time goes into gathering the group.

This tour is focused solely on the whale sharks and having the most magical experience. You will get to spend up to 10 minutes in the water with the animals each time you jump in the water. When taking turns, this also gives you enough time to relax on the spacious boat and have a snack before it’s your turn again. After swimming with the whale sharks you will make your way back to Cancún.

The readers of Dive into Life get 5% off when booking a trip with Solo Buceo. Just enter your email in the form below to receive your coupon code!

 

Pro Dive International

ProDive International specialises in tailor-made world-class dive and snorkelling adventures. They have the most knowledgable staff and provide an unforgettable high-end experience.

The meeting point for their excursions is at Punta Sam in Cancún where you can get with your rental car or, alternatively, have complimentary hotel pickup arranged for you. Regardless whether you’re staying in Cancún, on Cozumel, Isla Mujeres or anywhere on the Riviera Maya, pickup can be provided.

You will be offered a light breakfast with coffee, tea and water at the meeting point before departing. After swimming with the largest fish on Earth, on the way back, you will make a stop at the vibrant reef next to Isla Mujeres where you can go snorkelling. After that you will make a stop in the lagoon, where you can have some drinks in the sun and enjoy a floating picnic with fresh ceviche.

The readers of Dive into Life get 15% off when booking a trip with Pro Dive International online. Just enter your email in the form below to receive your coupon code!