Swim with whale sharks Cancun, Mexico, and snorkel alongside the largest fish in the world. These gentle giants offer a truly unforgettable experience, combining adventure with a deep connection to nature.
Moreover, our experienced guides ensure a safe, intimate, and eco-conscious tour, always emphasizing the importance of marine conservation and responsible wildlife interaction.
In addition, thanks to our small group approach, guests enjoy a more personal experience while observing—and when conditions allow, respectfully interacting with—whale sharks in their natural habitat.
You can swim with whale sharks in Cancun during the season from June 1st to September 15th every year, with daily pickups from Riviera Maya & Cancun.
Why should you book this whale shark tour?
This tour is the TOP-RATED Cancun & Riviera Maya snorkel tour on TripAdvisor & GetYourGuide.
Guided by local experts, each tour offers personalized service, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience.
This whale shark tour fits the needs of all snorkeling/swimming levels( Novice/Beginner, intermediate & advanced) starting from 9 years old in advance.
Swim with whale sharks Cancun Photo Gallery
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Video
Best Time to Swim With Whale Sharks in Cancun, Mexico
The whale shark season in the Mexican Caribbean takes place every year from May 15th to September 15th. However, since this is a 100% natural phenomenon, the number of whale sharks arriving in the protected area can vary significantly from season to season. In some cases, they may arrive earlier, while in others, their arrival may be slightly delayed.
It is important to understand that whale sharks migrate to the waters of the Yucatán Peninsula primarily in search of their main food source, plankton. Therefore, their presence depends on environmental conditions that influence plankton abundance.
Generally speaking, the best time to experience a higher concentration of whale sharks—often more than 20 individuals per day—is from the last weeks of June through the first weeks of August.
What happens if we do not find any whale sharks, or if only one whale shark is sighted?
If only one whale shark is found, current regulations do not allow snorkeling with the animal. In this situation, guests will be able to observe the whale shark from the boat only.
When more than one whale shark is present, snorkeling is permitted. Guests enter the water in pairs accompanied by our guide. However, snorkeling time may be shorter to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to experience the activity.
If no whale sharks are found, we will instead offer an extended snorkeling session at a coral reef near Contoy Island, as well as additional free time at Isla Mujeres.
Whale shark sightings are guaranteed?
Please keep in mind that whale shark sightings are not guaranteed, as this is a wildlife and nature-based activity. For this reason, refunds are not available due to the absence of whale sharks.
To maximize your chances of a successful experience, we strongly recommend booking during the peak season (July and August), when whale shark numbers are typically at their highest. This helps reduce the possibility of long search times and limited sightings.
Don’t get Scam & Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun
Many companies and street resellers claim they have the lowest price in the market, but they don’t clarify, that federal taxes must be paid in cash arriving at the port
The prices listed on this page do not encompass the port fee(USD 10) and entrance fees to the Whale Shark protected area(USD 15) for a total of USD 25 per person, required upon arrival at the port.
Be aware that only cash payments are accepted, and no ATMs are accessible at the port. Therefore, it is essential to bring cash with you, as this payment is obligatory for boarding the boat.
Avoid unfortunately experiences and book with TripAdvisor Top Rated Tour Operator like us.
Where does the whale shark tour start?
The boat tour starts 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 and Playa del Carmen.
Traffic conditions & weather conditions could delay the tour itinerary. The tour’s estimated duration is between 6 to 9 hours.
Shared tour service: Shared van transfer round trip service, maximum 16 people per van & shared boat tour, maximum 10 people per boat.
Pickup time: Once you complete the booking, we will contact you one day before the tour day, around 7 to 8 pm, to confirm the final hotel pickup sequence and confirm the pickup time at your location.
Price per pax( From 9 to 80 years old) **Children under 9 years old and pregnant women are not allowed.
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Prices
Cancun Hotels
Puerto Morelos Hotels
Playa del Carmen Hotels
Inclusions
- Shared van transportation.
- Hotel pickup adn drop-off.
- Shared boat tour.
- Bilingual guide.
- Snorkel gear( mask, life jacket, and fins ).
- Express breakfast at the port(coffee, bread & fruits ).
- Snacks( peanuts & granola bars ).
- Lunch( Chicken sandwiches and fresh fish ceviche ).
- Beverages( soft drinks, sodas & water ).
Not includes
- Federal taxes of USD 25 per pax.
- Personal expenses.
- Photo & video.
- Tips.
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Meeting Points Prices
Please note that the meeting point option does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. However, detailed port arrival instructions will be provided immediately after your online booking is completed.
Punta Sam Port
Punta Sam port, Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/PYshPidJ4foLmiYLA.
Inclusions
- Shared boat tour.
- Bilingual guide.
- Snorkel gear( mask, life jacket, and fins ).
- Express breakfast at the port(coffee, bread & fruits ).
- Snacks( peanuts & granola bars ).
- Lunch( Chicken sandwiches and fresh fish ceviche ).
- Beverages( soft drinks, sodas & water ).
Isla Mujeres
Isla mujeres Mininos restaurant dock, Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Pdo18v8ZU5js1C8z5
Not includes
- Federal taxes of USD 25 per pax.
- Hptel pickup and drop-off.
- Car parking fee ( 15 Mexican pesos per hour ).
- Personal expenses.
- Photo & video.
- Tips.
Pickups Outside the Regular Service Area
Please note that there is no boat tour departing directly from Cozumel Island to the whale shark area. Therefore, travelers staying in Cozumel must make their way to the nearest meeting point in Playa del Carmen. Additionally, this tour is not recommended for cruise ship passengers, as the tour duration does not fit within most cruise ship itineraries.
Furthermore, for guests staying at hotels located between Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum, a minimum of 4 participants per booking is required. In this case, pick-up times are approximately 5:45 AM due to the longer distance to the departure point..
Cozumel
❯ Price per pax: Minimum 1 per booking, Cozumel Ferry tickets not included, meeting point at Playa del Carmen.
Puerto Avenuras, Akumal, and Tulum Hotels
❯ Price per pax: Minimum 4 per booking, van transfer around 2.5 hours one way.
Whale Shark Tour Reservation Assistance
If you require any additional information before booking contact us: +52 987 101 20 05. Available on WhatsApp, Line & Telegram Chats.
Email: info@contoyexcursions.com
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 We 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
Restrictions
- No children under 5 years old.
- Pregnant women are not allowed.
- Regular sunscreen is NOT allowed; only biodegradable.
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 a few places on the planet, you can admire the impressive concentration of fish of these dimensions, which has an extension of 145,988.14 hectares.
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Rules
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 a biodegradable option, recommended UV protection swimsuits.
- Each customer has 1 or 2 chances to jump and swim with the whale sharks. Depending on the number of sharks in the area and the weather conditions, you could do one extra jump or keep only one chance.
- Use of a lifejacket is mandatory; no scuba option is available for this tour, only snorkeling.
- During snorkeling, you will jump in pairs. You will be guided and must keep a distance of 2 meters from the whale sharks.
- May 30, June 30, July 30, and August 30 are days removed from the tour activities to allow the whale sharks to rest 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 harmless behavior to boats and humans. Failure to follow them could result in a federal penalty.
Whale Shark Tour Cancun Availability?
Without a doubt, this is the top snorkel tour of the summer, available from June to September every year. Specifically, July and August are the best months, as they offer a 90% probability of spotting sharks; consequently, the probabilities for the rest of the months are between 50% and 70%. Therefore, if you plan to go, it is advisable to book your tour during those peak months.
Swim With Whale Sharks Cancun Recommendations
- The use of regular sunscreen is restricted; instead, biodegradable is the best option
- According to regulations, 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 snorkeling, use a wetsuit.
- Another key point is to bring sunglasses, a hat, and a long-sleeve shirt.
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.
