About Swim with Whale Sharks
A once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming with whale sharks in Cancun!
Is swimming with whale sharks on your bucket list?
Well, if you head to Cancun, or the Mayan Riviera between June and September, you’ll be able to check this one off your list!
It's time to swim the largest fish in the ocean!
AMENITIES
- Professional Guide
- Roundtrip transportation
- Soft drinks
- Equipment provided
- Lunch
- Light snacks
Prices
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- Child: Not permitted
- Toddlers: Not permitted
- Cancellation: Strict
Description
Every year, from mid-May until mid-September, we get 100's of extra visitors to the area.
They range in size from 25 to 40 feet (8 to 12 meters). The average weight for a whale shark is 20,000 pounds (970 kilos) – think of that the next time you complain about your weight!
These gentle giants are agreeable to swimming alongside swimmers and snorkelers. The whales swim slowly and you will be able to observe them up close.
You can read our review of the whale shark tour as well as 10 tips for swimming with whale sharks on our blog.
FUN FACTS ABOUT WHALE SHARK
Every summer, the whale sharks migrate to the islands off of Cancun.
Although considered a part of the shark family, these giants are gentle and docile.
In 2011 the largest aggregation of whale sharks ever recorded was reported from the Yucatan coast of Mexico, in which more than 400 animals gathered in one place to feed on plankton, macro algae and small fish.
Whale sharks have about 3000 tiny teeth that are of little use – they are filter feeders who strain their food through their large gills.
This tour runs daily from June until mid-September.
Exact pick-up times are confirmed upon booking but, depending on where your hotel is located in the Riviera Maya, expect to be picked up between 6am-7am.
The return time will depend on the how the day goes (you can't control nature) and where your hotel is located. You can expect to be back anywhere between 4:30pm-7:30 pm.
WHAT THE TOUR INCLUDES:
✓ Professional PADI guides
✓ Snorkeling equipment
✓ Snorkel with whale sharks
✓ Small breakfast on the boat
✓ Lunch (vegetarian available upon request)
✓ Non-alcoholic drinks
Available extras (optional)
- T-shirt $25 usd, p.p
- Photo reportage $50 usd for up to 3 guests - $10 USD per additional guest
- Wetsuit $20 usd
Mandatory
- Reef Preservation Fee 15 usd. p.p (please bring this extra cash with you to be paid directly at the dock)
Transport
- Roundtrip transportation is included
You can bring a GoPro camera if you wish for no extra charge.
Hints and Tips
- Wear your swimsuit under your clothes.
- Only use biodegradable sunscreen, please.
- Bring a hat and long-sleeved shirt to protect from the sun while on board.
- Have a light breakfast or bring a snack with you.
- Get seasick? Take your medication 1 hour prior to boarding the boat.
- Participants must be able to swim, have a minimum level of physical fitness and must not have heart or lung problems.
- Bring extra money for souvenirs, photos, tips.
- Required Dock Fee - Bring $15 per person (national park tax)
Kids
Kids prices are not available for the Whale Shark Swim. Children younger than 6 years old are not recommended on this tour. Keep in mind that the guide takes only a few people at a time to swim, so there is a lot of waiting on board the boat which may not be easy for smaller children and the travel time to the marina may be 1-2 hours depending on the location of your hotel.
Accessibility
This tour is not accessible for people with limited mobility.