Swim with the Biggest Shark in the World – The Gentle Giant – Whale Shark

In recent years whale sharks have been sighted in warmer areas and tropical waters. That is why they favor Mexico’s coastal areas and return yearly to the Yucatan peninsula to feed and mate. Proof of that is the largest gathering of whale sharks recorded in 2011, when more than 400 whale sharks were spotted off the Yucatan coast. These seasonal gatherings are regular and reach the largest number of whale sharks from June to September, when bonito spawn and plankton blooms. That’s namely when you can enjoy swimming with whale sharks.

More about Your Whale Shark Snorkel Tour

Please mind that there’s no pick up included. Meeting point is our dive shop in Tulum.

Please mind that there’s no pick up included. Meeting point is our dive shop in Playa del Carmen.

Please mind that there’s no pick up included. Ask us about the most convenient meet up location near you.

8 people small group visits – every day from June to September. 
Please mind that we might change the date of the tour, to make sure you will get to see whale sharks or in case of bad weather
Please mind that no pick up is included, we kindly as you to be at the corresponding meeting point.
Prices are fixed, regardless of the number of people in the group.
All prices include:
Guide
Light breakfast prior to departure (bread, coffee, juice and fruit)
Water and Soft drinks are available aboard, no beer
Full Snorkeling equipment
whale shark: 2-3 jumps in the water per person in a small group of 2 at a time
Flotation vests
Lunch: A sandwich after swimming with whale sharks, Shrimp ceviche, vegetarian options also available
1 hour free time on Isla Mujeres beach
For private Whale Shark tours, please contact us, so we can provide an exclusive offer for you.

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Why we love swimming with Whale Sharks

These humongous fish can grow up to 12 meters long and weigh more than 20 tonnes while feeding on only the tiniest ocean organisms – plankton. Their mouth is massive and can reach 1.5 m width, containing 300 to 350 rows of tiny teeth, which it uses to filter feed. Whale sharks are beautiful creatures with distinctive appearance. They are grey with a white belly, their body is covered by a unique pattern of pale yellow spots and bars. The pattern of spots around the gill area is unique to each individual. A fascinating fact is that as a fish, whale shark’s skeleton is entirely built of cartilage, not bones.

Little is known about how these elusive giants mate. Much of the sharks’ lives occur in the open sea, where it’s hard to be observed. Female sharks produce eggs, which hatch inside the mother, unlike most fish. Then, the female gives birth to about 300 baby sharks. Scientists estimate that they live from 70 to 100 years, but don’t become sexually mature until their early 30’s.

Whale sharks are intelligent animals and don’t present any danger to humans. What is more, they sometimes allow swimmers to interact with them.