Friendly and knowledgeable guides are dedicated to making the whale shark watching and swimming experience a memorable highlight of your holiday. Their passion and expertise help create a safe, engaging, and truly unforgettable wildlife adventure.
Your Adventure Begins
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in either the Riviera Maya or Cancun and bring you to our pier where the boats are ready for the adventure to begin.
Start Your Day Right
Before setting off, enjoy a selection of snacks and refreshments, including coffee and tea, to start your day. Once refreshed, we board our boat for a scenic speedboat ride of approximately two hours to the pristine waters where Whale Sharks gather.
Swimming with Whale Sharks
Once the ideal location is found, guests can enter the water to snorkel and swim alongside these majestic creatures. The goal is to provide at least two opportunities to swim with the whale sharks, although the exact number of entries depends on weather, sea conditions, and wildlife activity. With more than 15 years of experience, the knowledgeable team is dedicated to creating a safe and truly unforgettable encounter.
Snorkeling at Isla Mujeres
After swimming with the whale sharks, the journey continues to another beautiful location for snorkeling along the coral reef near Isla Mujeres. The final stop is Playa Norte, renowned as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, where guests can enjoy lunch, refreshing drinks, and time to relax and have fun.
Return Journey
After enjoying Playa Norte, the tour returns to the pier in Cancun. The guide and driver will then provide transportation back to the hotel, with an estimated arrival at approximately 3:30 pm for Cancun hotels and 4:30 pm for Riviera Maya hotels.
Included:
*Tulum Zone is not included in the price, there is an extra charge of 10 USD per person in cash on board
**If you have any special dietary requirements or would like a vegetarian option, please note this in the Additional Requests field at the time of booking.
Tour Time Table
* Times can vary depending the conditions.
05:00 - 07:20 am - Pick up from the Hotel Lobby in an air-conditioned van.
08:00 am - Arrive in location and pier in Flamingos. Coffee break.
09:00 am - Arrival at the Whale Shark area. Swim with Whale Sharks. Included all of equipment required for activity
11:30 am - Leaving the Whale Shark area on speedboats and go to Isla Mujeres Coral reef.
12:30 pm - Arrival and snorkeling at Isla Mujeres Coral reef. Included all of equipment required for activity.
01:30 pm - Lunch.
02:30 pm - Departure for the pier in Flamingos. (transportation ready to take you back to your accommodations).
03:30 pm - Arrival at hotels and accommodations in the Cancun area.
04:00 - 05:00 pm - Arrival at hotels and accommodations in the Playa del Carmen area.
05:30 pm - Arrival at hotels and accommodations in the Tulum area.
About Whale Sharks and this tour:
A whale shark tour typically lasts between five to six hours, but the duration may vary depending on several factors such as where the whale sharks are located, the number of whale sharks in the area, the ease of swimming with them, and also the weather conditions. Some tours may end within four hours, while others may last up to eight hours, offering a unique adventure each time. Please note that transportation from your hotel is included in the tour, but the travel time to our exclusive pier in Puerto Juarez (north of Cancun) may vary depending on your location. If you're staying in Tulum, transportation may take up to three hours, while transportation from the Riviera Maya may take around two hours. However, if you're located in the Cancun area, transportation may take less than an hour. Despite the duration and travel time, this experience is worth the wait and will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip to Cancun.
Some guests may experience seasickness while on the water. To help ensure the most enjoyable whale shark watching and swimming experience possible, complimentary seasickness prevention options are available, including Dramamine, ginger tea, and pressure-point wristbands. In the unlikely event that seasickness occurs during the tour, experienced guides are available to provide assistance and help guests remain as comfortable as possible.
You should not touch the whale sharks, as it can harm them and is also prohibited. Whale Sharks are considered "vulnerable to extinction" and are on the Red List of Threatened Species. They are in danger due to threats resulting from human activities, including non-biodegradable sunscreen, plastic/waste/toxins/oil spills in the ocean, cutting the fins off sharks, being caught in fishing nets, and even for sport.
Although the name is confusing, whale sharks are sharks. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean and can reach up to 12 meters or perhaps even bigger. Whale sharks do have teeth but they have incredibly tiny teeth evolved to aid in filter-feeding, they really are gentle giants. Whale sharks have no need to bite anything, they simply filter-feed which involves a sucking process. So just to be clear whale sharks don’t eat humans, they have never harmed a human directly or indirectly.
Regardless of whether you plan to swim with the whale sharks or not, all passengers will be required to pay the full regular fee for the tour. However, even if you're not a confident swimmer, you can still enjoy the experience of a marine safari and have the opportunity to see dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks from the boat. Watching these magnificent creatures from the boat can be an unforgettable experience, and you can still capture amazing photos of them. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to witness the beauty of these creatures in their natural habitat!
Children are welcome to join the tour. Children over 3 years old may swim with the whale sharks when accompanied by a parent, guide, or another responsible adult. All necessary equipment in suitable children’s sizes is provided.
The aim is for every guest to finish the day completely satisfied, with as much time swimming alongside the whale sharks as conditions allow. Like any wildlife safari, this experience is guided by nature and can be unpredictable.
The intention is for guests to enter the water at least twice, although the number and duration of swims depend on sea conditions, the number of whale sharks present, and each guest’s ability to keep pace with them. Swimming alongside these magnificent animals can be physically demanding, and even a few minutes may leave participants breathless.
Approximately 2 to 3 hours will be spent in the whale shark area to provide the best possible opportunity for sightings and swimming.
Arrival Instructions / What to Bring:
Arrival instructions:
- Pick-up time for the tour is from 05:00 am to 07:20 am (From Tulum to Cancun)
- The guests can be picked up from their villa/hotel. For some locations, there are special nearby meeting points. The precise pick-up time will be confirmed at the booking time.
- BRING: Long sleeve shirt for sun protection (sunscreen - even biodegradable is not allowed during the tour, as it harms the coral reef and other sea life. You can apply sunscreen in your hotel and after water activities are done), Snacks (if your pick up is early, it is a good idea to bring some bars and sacks especially when traveling with kids), Change of clothes, Extra money for souvenirs and tips, Hat or Cap, Sunglasses, Swimsuit, Towel, Wear lightweight, light-colored, comfortable clothing
Additional Notes:
This tour is not recommended for people with disabilities, heart problems, pregnant women, people with spine or neck injuries, and persons who could lose loss of consciousness.
People under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed.
Whale shark sightings are guaranteed; however, as this is a natural wildlife experience, the number of whale sharks present may vary. In rare cases, swimming may not be permitted if only a few whale sharks are in the area, helping ensure responsible and sustainable interaction with the species.
Whale Shark Guarantee: If no whale sharks are sighted during the tour, guests may either reschedule for another available day or receive a 50% refund.
Touching the whale sharks is harmful and not allowed.
If swimming is not possible, guests will still have the opportunity to observe the whale sharks from the boat and experience these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
Sunscreen even biodegradable is not allowed during the tour, as it harms the coral reef and other sea life. You can apply sunscreen in your hotel and after water activities are done. Bring long sleeve shirt for sun protection.
Child Restriction 3 years and above
Booking Policy
Full payment is required at reservation.
Booking needs to be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy: 20% is non-refundable upon booking. For cancellations within 7 days of the service/activity, no refunds are provided.
Change requests: Reservation changes after a service/activity is confirmed is subject to a $35 change fee.
| OPTION | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Per Adult (12 years and older) Per Child (3 - 11 years) | $219.00 $189.00 |
Note:
Payments accepted in US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Australian Dollars, New Zealand Dollars.
Major credit cards accepted in US Dollars.
