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What about swimming with whale sharks in Cancun?
Whale Shark in Isla Mujeres

 

What about swimming with whale sharks in Cancun?

One of the most important steps in planning your vacation is choosing the itinerary to follow. If you plan to visit Cancun and its surroundings you’ll have a wide variety of adventure, relaxation, ecological, cultural, and entertainment activities to pick from, being one of the most fascinating and special, swimming with whale sharks!

In Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Holbox, and in some places in the Riviera Maya, you can find whale sharks visiting the shores of the Mexican Caribbean from May to September, and it is during this period that tours are offered in which, with the correct weather conditions, you can dive and swim with these incredible species and marvel at their size and beauty.

 
Whale Shark Cancun

 

Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Holbox

In Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Holbox, and in some places in the Riviera Maya, you can find whale sharks visiting the shores of the Mexican Caribbean from May to September, and it is during this period that tours are offered in which, with the correct weather conditions, you can dive and swim with these incredible species and marvel at their size and beauty.

This attractive tour consists of exploring the fascinating waters of the Caribbean Sea on a boat until you reach the indicated area where groups of whale sharks have been seen year after year. Once there, you will have the opportunity to admire these fantastic species, get off the boat together with a companion and your guide, and enter the water to swim with them and enjoy an exciting adventure that you will not forget.

 
Whale Shark in Holbox

 

These tours are a great option to get out of the routine, cross out a life resolution, or dare to adventure, and in turn, they are an opportunity to learn about the whale sharks and other species that you can find during the tour, as well as marine ecosystems and the importance of their conservation and protection.

• The whale sharks are considered the largest shark since it can measure up to 18 meters long and weigh up to 10 tons

• They have approximately 3000 teeth, but unlike other sharks, the teeth of the whale sharks are very small

• This shark is the largest fish in the world

• The whale sharks feed mainly on plankton, necton, macroalgae, and krill, and it does it through filtration, this means the whale sharks open its jaws and absorbs everything that is nearby, then closes its mouth expelling and filtering water for the guts. (It is very likely that you will witness this during your tour)

Whale sharks prefer warm waters, which is why they are found in tropical seas such as the Mexican Caribbean

• The whale sharks are a highly migratory species, that is why we only see them for seasons

• Keep in mind that although they are docile animals, it is not allowed to approach less than 5 meters from the whale sharks or touch them (as indicated by Profepa)

 
Whale Shark in Isla Mujeres

 

Do not forget to be a responsible tourist and respect the whale sharks space and its ecosystem at all times, thus helping to keep our oceans healthy and preserve the species that live there. If you have questions about what to do to become a responsible visitor, take a look at our blog on that topic by clicking here.

Now that you know about the whale sharks season and some curious facts, you are ready to continue planning your next visit to Cancun.