Whale Shark Tour Cancun FAQ
Do you feel adventurous? This is the tour you should take if you have plans to visit Cancun and The Riviera Maya this summer.
But many tourists have important questions that need to be answered before they enroll in this amazing adventure, here you have some answers.
When is whale shark season 2016 starting?
From May 15th to September 15th, but in past years the permissions for running the tour were released by the Mexican government between the 15th to 28th of May.
When is the best time to do it?
We recommend the months of July and August when the number of sharks arriving at the national park is on average 10 per day.
Is the Whale shark guaranteed?
No, we must understand that you will be transferred by boat to a natural reserve where the whale sharks arrive to feed on plankton, is impossible to control the number of sharks arriving at this national park every day of the season.
How many sharks are in the area?
Is difficult to say a number, but close to 5 on average, depending on weather conditions it could be 1 or 2 but on some good days more than 5, we highly recommend doing this tour on the second week of June and any day of July and August probably the whale sharks Cancun best time to do it.
What is the maximum of people per boat for this activity?
The federal regulations of The Whale Shark Tour Cancun activity allow 10 tourists, a guide, one sailor man, and the captain, 13 people per boat.
Can I take my 2-year-old child on the tour?
This tour is ideal for families but by regulations, the minimum children’s age is 5 years old, and pregnant women are not allowed.
Can we book a private tour?
Yes, you can book a private tour from 1 to 10 people maximum, for more comfort during this activity land and boat transportation are private, ideal for maximizing the number of times to swim with the sharks, please see all details in the Whale Shark private tour page.
Can I bring my dive equipment?
Because of the Whale Shark Tour Regulations, diving is not permitted, only snorkeling. The price of the whale shark tour includes the snorkel gear(mask, life jacket, and fins). We recommend a wetsuit for more comfort, you can bring your own or, for an extra charge of $20 USD, you can rent one at the marina before the tour starts.
Holbox is the best location to do The Whale Shark Tour.
Yes, if you are staying at Holbox Island, many tour operators offer this activity with transfers from Cancun and Riviera Maya to Holbox, but if you are not staying at Holbox, book from a local tour operator at Cancun, from this destinations it will be a half-day tour, instead of a half-day transferring to Holbox plus the tour.
If I book a tour, the pick-up is at my hotel.
Yes, we include the pickup and drop off in any hotel of The Riviera Maya ( Tulum, Akumal, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Morelos) and Cancun, booking the tour with us. In case you are staying at Cozumel, the pick-up will be in Playa del Carmen ferry dock.
Is possible to drive to the meeting point of the Whale Shark Tour?
Yes, if you rent a car, you can drive to the marina in Cancun, where the tour starts. The tour without transportation is USD 159.00 per pax for more details email us info@contoyecursions.com or contact us so we can provide you with the address and map of the marina.
Is this whale shark tour a half-day adventure?
Probably a little bit more than a half day, this tour starts with the pick up at your hotel, depending on the location pick up is between 5 to 6 am, and you must arrive at the Cancun Marina between 7 to 9 am. From this point, the activity takes close to 4 hours, and finally the transfer back to your hotel.
