Swim with whale sharks Cancun Mexico swim with gigantic sharks! certainly, whale sharks are the world’s largest fish. Our experienced guides provide an intimate, eco-conscious experience that emphasizes the importance of conservation.
In addition to small group tours, guests have an exclusive chance to observe and interact with these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
You can swim with whale sharks in Cancun during the season from June 1st to September 15th every year, this is a shared tour service, with daily pickups from Riviera Maya & Cancun hotels during the season.
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Tour location
Tiburón Ballena Biosphere Reserve, this area was established to protect the aggregations of whale sharks that occur north of the Yucatan Peninsula.
In few places on the planet can you admire these impressive concentrations of fish of these dimensions, which has an extension of 145,988.14 hectares.
These are rules established by the federal government that must be followed during the activity in the protected area.
- No use of regular sunscreen, instead use biodegradable option, which must be applied arriving at the port before the boat tour starts, recommended UV protection swimsuits.
- Each customer has 1 or 2 chances to jump and swim with the whale sharks, if possible, according to the number of sharks in the area, and weather conditions, you could do one extra jump or keep only one chance.
- Use of lifejacket is mandatory, no scuba option is available for this tour, only snorkeling.
- During the snorkeling, you will jump in pairs guided by the sailor, keeping a distance of 2 meters from the whale sharks is mandatory.
- May 30, June 30, July 30, and August 30 are days removed from the tour activities, to provide rest to the whale sharks from boat activities in the area.
- In the case of spotting 1 whale shark in the area, no snorkeling activity is allowed, and only sightings from the boat will be available.
These rules are focused on preventing any harmless behavior from boats and humans, trying to reduce the impact of this tour activity that could affect the whale sharks, Not following these rules could result in a federal penalty.
Swim with whale sharks Cancun Photo Gallery
Tour Itinerary
- 06:00 AM Start the hotel’s pickups.
- 08:00 AM Arrival to Punta Sam port( Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/R57WN6UjS3hRPUVp8 ).
- 08:30 AM Jump in the boat to start the search.
- 09:30 AM Search for whale sharks and snorkel in the surroundings of Contoy Island ( Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/YHUC8E5y4W5AF4zE6).
- 01:00 PM Transfer to Playa Norte beach at Isla Mujeres(Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/mbxPXqWMEA1vA9daA).
- 01:30 PM Lunch.
- 02:00 PM Transfer back to Punta Sam port.
- 2:30 PM Arrival at Punta Sam port.
- 3:00 PM Transfer back to the hotel.
Tour details
- Shared tour service.
- Duration 6 to 8 hours.
- Runs daily all year round.
- Shared transfer pick-up/drop-off.
- Bilingual guide.
- Minimum 1 pax per booking
Inclusions
- Shared van transportation.
- Hotel to Marina round trip.
- Boat transportation.
- Bilingual guide and boat staff.
- Snorkel gear( mask, life jacket, and fins).
- Express breakfast at Marina(coffee, breath & fruits).
- Snacks(chicken sandwiches, peanuts & granola bars).
- Lunch(Chicken sandwiches and fresh fish ceviche).
- Beverages( soft drinks, sodas & water).
- Languages English and Spanish.
Not includes
- Port fee & whale shark protected area entrance Total of USD 20 per pax.
- Personal expenses.
- Photo & video.
- Tips.
Restrictions
Despite being a tour for mostly all travelers consider the next restrictions:
- No children under 5 years old.
- Pregnant women are not allowed.
- Regular sunscreen is NOT allowed only biodegradable.
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Video
Whale Shark Tour Cancun Availability?
Without a doubt, this is the TOP snorkel tour of the summer, available from June to September every year, certainly, July and August are the best months with a 90% probability of spotting the sharks, consequently, the rest of the month’s probabilities are between 50% to 70%.
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Recommendations
- The use of regular sunscreen is restricted, instead, biodegradable is the best option
- By regulation, sunscreen must be applied 30 minutes before starting the tour.
- We highly recommend the use of UV Sun Protective Swimwear instead of sunscreen.
- Bring a waterproof camera.
- For more comfort during snorkel use a wetsuit.
- Another key point, bring sunglasses, a hat, and a long-sleeve shirt.
Before Booking The Whale Shark Tour.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the prices listed on this page do not encompass the port and entrance fees to the Whale Shark protected area.
The combined total for both fees per person is USD 20, required upon arrival at the port.
Kindly be aware that only cash payments are accepted, and there are no ATMs accessible at the port. Therefore, it is essential to bring cash with you, as this payment is obligatory for boarding the boat.
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Price Best Deal!
Tour from Meeting point locations
- Punta Sam port, Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/PYshPidJ4foLmiYLA.
- Isla mujeres Mininos restaurant dock, Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Pdo18v8ZU5js1C8z5.
From 1 pax minimum per booking, this price doesn’t include pickup & drop-off, meeting point time, and port arrival instructions will be sent as soon as you complete the online booking.
Punta Sam
$155 USD
Isla Mujeres
$155 USD
Price According To The Hotel Location
Where does the whale shark tour start?
Starting from Punta Sam port north of Cancun, where you will be transferred from your hotel, these prices include the shared van transfer round trip service.
Prices per pax, according to the hotel pickup & dropoff location in Cancun, Playa del Carmen & The Riviera Maya.
From Tulum, locations add at least 2 more hours of land transfer, requiring a minimum of 4 pax per booking.
Traffic conditions & weather conditions could delay the tour itinerary, the tour’s estimated time duration is between 6 to 8 hours.
Cancun
$ 159 USD
Minimum 1 pax per booking
Puerto Morelos.
$ 165 USD
Minimum 1 pax per booking
Playa del Carmen
$ 185 USD
Minimum 1 pax per booking
**Tulum
$205 USD
** From Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum require a minimum of 4 pax per booking.
Swim with Whale Sharks Cancun FAQ
1. What is a whale shark?
- Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, known for their massive size and gentle nature. Despite their name, they are not whales but rather sharks, belonging to the shark family.
2. What time of year can you swim with whale sharks in Cancun Mexico?
- Whale shark season in Cancun typically runs from May to September, with peak sightings occurring from June to August.
3. Is swimming with whale sharks safe?
- Yes, whale sharks are friendly, all tours in Cancun are generally safe when conducted by experienced and licensed tour operators who adhere to safety guidelines and regulations.
4. Can I swim with the whale sharks in Cancun?
- Yes, swimming with whale sharks is the highlight of the tour. Cancun is a top destination for this activity, we provide guided snorkeling experiences alongside these magnificent creatures.
5. Do I need to be a strong swimmer to participate?
- While basic swimming skills are required, most tours provide flotation devices and guidance from experienced guides to ensure the safety of participants.
6. How close can we get to the whale sharks?
- Regulations stipulate that swimmers must maintain a distance of at least 6 to 10 feet (2 to 3 meters) from the whale sharks to ensure their well-being and safety.
7. What should I bring on the tour?
- Essentials include swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, and a waterproof camera to capture the unforgettable experience.
8. Are there age restrictions for whale shark tours?
- While age restrictions may vary among tour operators, children as young as 6 years old can often participate with parental supervision. However, it’s best to check with the specific tour provider for their policies.
9. Is food provided on the tour?
- Our tour includes snacks and refreshments, at the end of the snorkeling activity the lunch is fresh fish ceviche, and chicken sandwiches, if you have any food restrictions let us know.
10. What happens if we don’t see any whale sharks during the tour?
- Whale sightings are highly likely during the peak season, if for any reason whale sharks are not spotted, there is no refund applicable.
Whale Shark Tour Cozumel
No direct boat from Cozumel Island to the whale shark area.
Private Whale Shark Tour
Advantages of private service, faster more time snorkeling.
