This marine park is 60 miles northeast of Los Cabos. If you wear glasses, we can provide you with a prescription snorkeling mask, at no extra cost, so you can properly see the Whale Sharks underwater. They limit the number of boats and people that can approach, the size and speed of boats, and the distance you must keep between you and the animal. Most of the whale shark trips that depart from Cozumel, Cancn, Playa del Carmen, and elsewhere along the Riviera Maya go to Isla Mujeres. Adults Only and Adult Friendly Resorts Cancun, Hotels near Sat Mexico Tours Cancun & Riviera Maya, Hotels near Cancun Airport Transportation, Hotels near (PCM) Playa Del Carmen Airport, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Cancun, La Isla Shopping Village: Tickets & Tours, Xoximilco Cancun by Xcaret: Tickets & Tours, Zona Arqueologica El Rey: Tickets & Tours, El Parque de las Palapas: Tickets & Tours. It all depends on where their preferred food source is drifting on any When these rules are respected, the animals dont seem to notice humans or their boats. Upon request, were able to provide vegetarian options to our guests. But if swimming with them is on your to-do list, there are two main places to go: the Sea of Cortez and the Mexican Caribbean, each with several destinations to choose from. on the boats. guests. in the waters of Cancun in fact its the largest aggregation of whale sharks in the is not possible. clear, and blue, while the waters around Holbox are green and colder. We loved our crew! Enjoy fantastic views of the Caribbean Sea. If the service is cancelled by the supplier. Not because it's dangerous but because we can harm them. Most of our guides are diving instructors or dive masters, and have all been hand-selected by Ocean tours for their passion and care for nature, awesome attitude and exceptional empathy. Caribbean lunch in the beautiful waters of Isla Mujeres which also includes drinks to Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Don't worry, they're friendly and harmless to humans. In the unlikely case that you still get seasick on the boat, The captain made the best ceviche I've ever had with fresh mangos for lunch while we chilled at playa Norte after our swim. At the end of your trip, you're able to purchase a digital copy. The company made it clear to all participants not to touch the whale sharks. Hover over the arrows to browse the best Wild Life Tours in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Here, you buy directly from the tour operator. As well, we supply all gear suitable for Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. With the help of Its possible to get a whale shark tour to look for the animals in the Cabo San Lucas area. Whale sharks are very docile and gentle, do not get scared when they are approaching divers or swimmers. we take you to swim with Whale Sharks in Mexico. Mexicos whale shark tourism is regulated by the Secretara de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) and the Secretara de Turismo (SECTUR). Scuba & Snorkeling, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours, Boat Tours, Eco Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Boat Tours, Shark Diving, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Water Sports, Scuba & Snorkeling. with the ocean's largest fish. Whale sharks seem to have sensitive bellies and often turn them away from scuba divers bubbles and flee from an area where humans are swimming underwater. Keeping your distance from whale sharks helps protect both of you. It was the first Spanish settlement on the peninsula, founded in 1697. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Swimming with the immense creatures is a popular tourist activity in Mexico, and its in everyones interest that the animals keep returning to their feeding grounds. Featuring a delicious pasta salad with olive oil, fresh tomatoes and olives, served with guacamole, tortilla chips, and fruit. There are about 70 different accommodation options on Holbox. The whale sharks are animals that live in the sea they are not dangerous at all but their behavior is unpredictable, we very often see 60 or more of them along with manta rays, dolphins or sea turtles and sometimes only one of them or none. Mexico Whale Shark Cancun Puerto Juarez Av. gather. Boats with a maximum of 10 people. It also improves breathing, allowing you to jump in right away with the Whale Sharks, without being hindered by your equipment. The main difference is that the waters around Isla Mujeres are warm, Well worth every penny! We offer professional guides in multiple Please let languages. Myself and my Husband did the Whale Shark encounter in Cancun about a week ago. If the service is cancelled by the supplier. When onboard and in the water, remember to take your time, keep calm and enjoy, we will Whale sharks are viviparous animals and sometimes see young calves swimming with the elderly. Know that it could lead to a cut or a skin infection for both the shark and for you. We saw dolphins and lots of whale sharks on our expedition! We are the best reviewed whale shark tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Tulum, Akumal, Riviera Maya, Holbox reviews on TripAdvisor. Our guide Raul was amazing. However, most tours will drive you up to La Paz for the day to ensure you get the experience youre looking for. is not possible. Both very helpful and entertaining through the whole process. A wonderful experience! It is important to consider that we will remain in the area between 2 to 3 hours approximately. Whale sharks are usually between 18 and 32 feet long though one was measured at almost 62 feet and weigh about 20 tons. Between October and February, its rare not to see whale sharks on a La Paz tour. For example in case of bad weather and From those reviews i expected that we would be on a boat with shade and would be leaving earlier than other companies. actually know where the sharks are exactly. swimming into objects and other creatures. They have no desire to taste humans; theyre even known to spit out grains of rice and other foods not part of their natural diet. Also whale sharks are not fast During the day, It is possible to interact with wildlife in ethical ways, but you need to choose your destination and your tour operator carefully. Most of the time the conditions are very good or perfect and everything goes well but as we all know the sea changes every minute and the conditions are sometimes not that good including rough sea and rain. To swim next to an animal with a mouth that can open as wide as five feet is a thrill. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. Explore the warm and shallow underwater world of Akumal. We know how important this experience is for you. We were without a doubt the first ones to take a visitor out on this wonderful adventure, without knowing it was going to become such a big event every year. and fun! They also actively avoid practically anyone can do the Cancun whale shark tour regardless of their physical You have the possibility with us do the best snorkeling tour swimming with the whale sharks in Mexico from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Tulum, Akumal, Holbox island or Isla Mujeres. No guarantee to see or swim with the whale sharks at all nor refund of any kind by any company in case we do not see any of them which usually happens only once or twice at the most per season. Before we go swimming with Whale Sharks in cancun, we'll enjoy a freshly-prepared and Snorkel with Whale Sharks just a few feet away! Only boats with certified operators are allowed to enter the zones, with no private vessels allowed. reschedule Pictures and HD video collection of the day available for purchase. Some people suffer from seasickness on boats, it's a part of life and we totally Expect to arrive back to your hotels around 15:30 particular day. Raul took exceptional care of the people on the tour who were a little intimidated by the water and the sharks. Need more information? They made sure everyone had a chance to swim with the Whale Sharks and also showing everyone where they were. We recommend the private tour to keep your group small. Then we got back on-board and Cindy had prepared us an epic lunch which was so fresh and delicious. One of the most accessible places to see whale sharks is just a few minutes off the sea wall in La Paz, the laid-back capital of the state of Baja California Sur. Due to illness, presenting a doctor's report. there will be plenty of bottled water & soft drinks, as well as sandwiches to snack Snorkeling with whale sharks in Mexico is a unique and unforgettable experience! Mexico Whale Shark had great reviews and that is why we chose them. If a date change is requested at least 24 hours prior to the date of the tour and a It is important to request it when making the reservation. If a date change is requested after 5pm (local time) on the day before the tour, and Our idea is that you enter the water at least 2 times, however, it all depends on the sea conditions, how many sharks there are and your own swimming skills. mobile app. Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. Our idea is that you enter the water at least 2 times, however, it all depends on the sea conditions, how many sharks there are and your own swimming skills. The a new date will get to swim with 18+ foot whale sharks so wherever they are, we will find them. We offer whale shark swimming and snorkeling tours in Cancn, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Tulum, Riviera Maya, and Holbox Island! Although the name is confusing, whale sharks are sharks. A few whale shark tour operators will take you here from the Cancn area, but staying on Isla Holbox is easier. We were given the option to go snorkeling but the quick swim in the beautiful waters was hard to pass up. Sharks snorkeling in Cancun is an unforgettable experience! at another beautiful location: The coral reef in Isla Mujeres. Enter the water slowly and smoothly so as not to scare the marine animal away. There will be no tours running on each day 30. We continue with all COVID FREE measures, according to the authorities tell us. Whale sharks are the largest Rules around sunscreen are changing at first biodegradable sunblock was allowed, but no-sunscreen practices are growing. Mexico has strict whale shark rules, and most tour boat operators are careful about following them. Everyone's invited to join! Private Unfortunately it is not possible since this tour is regulated by the Mexican authorities 1 Whale Shark tour operator & supplier in TripAdvisor in the entire Mayan Riviera, and were the only tour operator with a full 5-Star Rating and Certificate of Excellence with TripAdvisor. Our goal is that the client ends the day completely satisfied, that's why we allow you to swim with the Whale Sharks for as long as possible. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in either the Riviera Maya or Cancun, then We first started operating the snorkeling tour swimming with the whale sharks in Holbox island in 2001. Isaac was our captain and Cindy was our water guide. La Paz Bay is a critical habitat for whale sharks and has been a protected refuge since 2018. complete your once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Captain shared some of his stories and information with us, while sailing to find. more assistance and we are happy to assist you! This is the same for all companies as it has been a federal rule since 2016. There will be no tours running on each day 30th, May 30th, June 30th, July 30th, and August 30th will be days off. Stay in the Whale Shark area up to 3 hours approx. Even the worlds largest animals like the blue whale seem to love the waters here. Plus, whale shark season coincides with the time some of the islands beaches light up at night with bioluminescence. I expected the rough water and chaotic boat experience at the spot. pressure point bracelets. We love what we do and we want to share these amazing experiences with you! understand. The legal season for swimming with the sharks is between June 15 and September 15. Youll have the best chance of seeing whale sharks in the Mexican Caribbean if you visit between mid-June and August. This was our first tour with whale sharks. We'll then bring you We then went out to a reef and swam with loads of fish. 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Seeing the whales was. Our shuttle picked us up from Hotel Xcaret at 6am and we were back by 2pm. Its a two-hour drive north of Cabo San Lucas and has its own airport. sharks in Holbox. For more information read our privacy policy. If a date change is requested at least 24 hours prior to the date of the tour and a new date The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea, and you can snorkel alongside them in many places around the world. At all times, our team is there for you with knowledge, motivation, attention, and trust. We will pick you up at your hotel or accommodation at the beginning of the day and drop At the right time of year, youre almost guaranteed to see whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez (east of the Baja Peninsula) and in the Mexican Caribbean (near Cancn). Again, all prevention methods are free of any charge! Puerto Jurez Sm 86, Mz 53 Cancun, Quintana Roo 77520 MX, Click here to visit our Google My Business Profile. It is important to be aware that in order to find and see the whale sharks we go out to open waters and sometimes it is rough. in Mexico begins! Puerto Jurez Sm 86, Mz 53 Cancun, Quintana Roo 77520 MX, Click here to Learn more about gift cards, Click here to Riviera Maya & Puerto Morelos, 7-12 hours (Depending on your place of departure), Duration 7-12 hours (Depending on your place of departure), This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. Whale sharks swim at about three miles per hour and humans at about two, so you can keep up with one for a few minutes before it smoothly glides away in search of more plankton. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. feeding, they really are gentle giants. to feed on tiny fish eggs and microscopic organisms. One of the main rules when swimming with whale sharks is to stay on the surface of the water. We went in three times. We first started operating the snorkeling tour swimming with the whale sharks in Holbox island in 2001. On every tour, our captain and guide are experienced in locating and spotting Turtles, Sailfish, Dolphins and Manta Rays to make your experience even more amazing! non-biodegradable sunscreen, plastic/waste/toxins/oil spills in the ocean, cutting the You will not regret booking your whale shark snorkeling with this team! Whale sharks are very docile and gentle, do not get scared when they are approaching divers or swimmers. Transportation can be by van or bus, depending on the operational need. snorkeler, or if youre not so comfortable swimming, the guide will ensure your Whale The crew person told the people in front of us to pass on how to swim and keep up with the sharks-so not a lot of guidance. amazing. The whale shark has nothing in common with whales except for its size and the fact that only eats tiny plankton that gathers with his mouth open. We took a GoPro with us and the footage is brilliant, so amazing. If you want to swim with a fish the size of a bus, Mexico is one of the best places in the world to do it. However, its tough to get a half-decent photo. we offer three different prevention methods for free: Dramamine, ginger tea, and Well give you all opportunities necessary to make sure you see the Whale Shark. So just to be clear whale sharks You can tell they care very much about marine life and the environment. Its probably easiest to spot them off Isla Mujeres. Sindy and Isaac were amazing. found. We sell quality and an unforgettable experience as long as mother nature is on our side, when it is not on our side we do our best to make the trip as pleasant as possible, our staff and crew are specially trained for that and always make their best effort. After our whale shark experience, we docked at Isla Mujeres to swim in the waters while the duo made us fresh ceviche. We offer whale shark swimming and snorkeling tours in Cancn, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Tulum, Riviera Maya, and Holbox Island! We got within feet of a pod of 75 incredible whale sharks, and as a bonus saw a beautiful large manta ray. At this moment there is no early ferry to get you on time for our shared service. Sometimes we find whale sharks in Isla Mujeres and sometimes we find the whale (Cancun Hotels) and 16:30 (Riviera Maya Hotels). We do everything possible to prevent seasickness from happening to our guests, which is why we offer three prevention methods FOR FREE, such as dramamine, ginger tea, and pressure point bracelets. Snorkel and Safety Vest Life jacket is mandatory to swim with the Whale Shark. Look for SEMARNAT or SECTUR certification when you choose a tour operator, as not all operators are certified. Breakfast and lunch (vegetarian and gluten-free food available on request.). to Playa Norte named one of the Most Beautiful Beaches in the World which is our conservation of the species. speedboat ride that takes about one hour to get to the area where the Whale Sharks Whale sharks do have teeth but they have incredibly tiny teeth evolved to aid in filter Isla Contoy is an uninhabited island north of Isla Mujeres on the way to Isla Holbox by boat. His love for his job was very evident, and he wanted us to have the best experience possible. We have over 17 years of experience in operating Whale Shark tours as Ocean Tours, starting way back in 2005. Because of this experience, weve developed the expertise, knowledge, and truly honed our craft of finding Whale Sharks when no one else can. If your shark decides to leave, your swim might only last a minute or two. All in all, I would totally recommend you to book and live this experience with them! There's no record of Whale Sharks or Mantas hurting any human being. Our first concern is to give our clients a unique experience that they can remember for years to come. We provide a no-hassle 100% Guarantee to watch & swim with the Whale Sharks in Mexico. Children can go Threatened Species. No guarantee to see or swim with the whale sharks at all nor refund of any kind by any company in case we do not see any of them which usually happens only once or twice at the most per season. tour. We have prescription masks (-1 to -5). you may to consider bringing on the Whale Shark tour. last stop on the Whale Shark tour in Isla Mujeres, where we'll have lunch, drinks We only take small groups of clients with a maximum boat capacity of 10 people, so that we can create an environment thats personalized & comfortable, giving you that private tour feeling without the private tour price. Ocean Tours is the No. If you have further questions about our tours, please take a look at ourFAQ, it has all the answers! Every year hundreds of whale sharks arrive Our mission is to provide wonderful and once-in-a-lifetime experiences through excursions full of nature, culture and adventure. more, Recommended experiences in and around Cancun. No one knows if the dolphins want the sharks to leave or if theyre just amusing themselves. We were the first ones to take a visitor out on this wonderful adventure, without knowing it was going to become such a big event every year! Part of the Yum Balam Ecological Reserve, Isla Holbox is a 20-minute ferry ride from the Port of Chiquil, about a two-hour drive northwest of Cancn. Every service and every part of the tour is directly operated by Ocean Tours. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! After leaving that spot, we traveled back inland and stopped at an island off Mexico, and had a swim at the beach with crystal waters. Either way you Round-trip transportation is included in the cost of the We understand that this is not an inexpensive tour and that you even have to wake up very early to be on time, so with that in mind, we do as much as possible to make this an experience of a lifetime. Snorkel with Whale Sharks from your own private speedboat. delicious continental breakfast at the pier in Cancun. We also snorkeled close to Cancun on our way home and got to see some awesome barracudas and fish while there. This was an incredible experience and our guides were amazing! You are welcome to bring your own camera. If the cancellation is made at least 24 hours prior to the day of the tour. We first started operating the snorkeling tour swimming with the whale sharks in Holbox island in 2001. We are flexible so the situation can be evaluated if necessary. While whale shark swimming tours arent on offer, you might get lucky and see the sharks while youre on a whale watching tour. This team definitely helped ease our fears and made the whole experience one to remember. Swimmers are asked to stay on the sides of the shark, generally between its eye and the base of its tail. Due to illness, presenting a doctor's report. Tulum Ruins, Akumal Turtles & Cenotes Tour, Private Snorkeling, Tulum Ruins & Cenote Tour, Private Tulum Ruins, Akumal Turtles & Cenotes Tour, Private Contoy Island & Isla Mujeres Tour. adventure to begin! Learn More >>>. We did witness other boats allowing people to touch the whale sharks, but that doesn't necessarily mean they were told not to. Within sight of the city, there are three plankton-rich spots that teenage whale sharks seem to love. Please feel free to contact us through email or phone! fish in the ocean and can reach up to 12 meters or perhaps even bigger. We are flexible so the situation can be evaluated if necessary. They left early enough so that we were among some of the first boats to get to the sharks. You also can take your own aquatic camera. Have the whole boat to yourselves and enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience swimming with whale sharks on an unforgettable tour. 2005 - 2022 Ocean Tours Mexico. always be assisting you. But having no shade in an uncomfortable small boat and being among the last to arrive at the spot was really disappointing. Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, Baja California Sur. The whale shark is the largest fish that exists in the world today, it can grow up to 15 meters in length. We got SUPER close to these magnificent creatures, and the staff was awesome! Our guides will make you feel safe, secure, comfortable and most importantly theyll We all got great pictures and the sevitche made on board was delicious! To ensure you'll have the best Whale Shark watching & swimming experience, No alcoholic beverages allowed on board. Youre required to wear a life jacket (or a wetsuit without a weight belt) to make it difficult for you to dive under the water. Four hours north of La Paz, and even more laid-back, is Loreto. My husband and I had a great trip. Its a prime nesting spot for turtles and birds and more than 200 different bird species have been seen here. children. It happens that in spite of all our efforts to find them we do not get it and we, therefore, cannot give any kind of guarantee or refund. It is also a good idea to take some motion sickness pills before the tour if you tend to get seasick easily and you are not allergic to them. Our Whale Shark Discovery Tour is child-friendly and elderly-friendly. Please let us know if you have additional questions relating to young children and your guide and sailor, its easy and safe to accompany anyone into the water. new date All children above the age of 3 can swim with the Whale Sharks. Regardless of age, all people entering the Whale Shark watching area are required to pay Unsurprisingly, touching the animals is also not allowed. We also understand that you may need We take three crew members on each boat to ensure all your needs are taken care of and to also ensure that you swim as much as you like: captain, sailor/guide, bilingual guide/photographer. Our guides make sure that That is why we do everything we can to prevent this from happening to our Round-trip transportation, meals, drinks, and equipment are all included in the booking price! you off at the end of the day. knew where to go to get the highest number of whale sharks. You can stay on the island itself there are about 60 hotels to choose from to explore everything Isla Mujeres has to offer. This tour is not recommended for children under 5. swimming experience the highlight of your holiday. If you dont see a single Shark on your tour, you can reschedule, or receive a certificate to do the tour again. Our whale shark tour starts with an early pick up. The boats edge is 2.5 feet (0.7 mts) above the surface of the water.