Water activity

Cancún: Swim with Whale Sharks

4.5 / 5

57 reviews

Activity provider:EcoColors Tours
Water activity

Cancún: Swim with Whale Sharks

Activity provider:EcoColors Tours

From US$ 175 per person

Tick another thing off your bucket list and swim with whale sharks off the coast of Cancun on a thrilling guided trip. Witness whale sharks that can get up to 12 meters long and enjoy a local lunch.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 7 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Pickup included
You will be picked up from your hotel. If you are staying in an Airbnb, the activity provider will arrange a nearby pickup point.
Small group
Limited to 10 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • See whale sharks with a company that's been around almost a decade
  • Enjoy knowing that you're 100% guaranteed to swim with the biggest fish in the world
  • Go with professional naturalist guides who speak your language
  • Enjoy the feeling of being in a small group of no more than 10 people
  • Look out for dolphins playing and sea turtles swimming
Full description

Snorkel with whale sharks on this day trip from Cancun (from May to September). Take a boat out whale shark reserve in the waters surrounding Isla Contoy follow your naturalist or marine biologist guide for once-in-a-lifetime experience. Savor a delicious lunch and drinks on the boat.

Be picked up early in the morning from your hotel in Cancun and hop aboard a comfortable van for the drive to Puerto Juarez (Marina Xtabay). Listen to an informative briefing to help you understand whale sharks and the area's ecosystems. Depart from Marina Xtabay on a boat and head towards the whale shark reserve in the waters surrounding Isla Contoy. Use high-quality snorkel gear to see whale sharks. Feel confident snorkeling with the help of your guide. Sit down to a filling lunch on the boat with stunning views of the coast of Isla Mujeres. Afterwards, cool off with a swim in the clear turquoise waters. Travel back to Marina Hacienda del Mar and transfer by van back to your accommodation.

Includes
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned Club Wagon or Suburban
  • Tour guide
  • Swimming equipment
  • Whale shark swim
  • Boat cruise
  • Lunch
  • Drinks
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Environmental tax and dock use ($15 USD in cash per person payable on the day of your activity)
  • Tips
Not suitable for
  • Children under 5 years
  • Pregnant women
  • People with back problems

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

What to bring

  • Sun hat
  • Change of clothes
  • Towel
  • Sandals
  • Cash

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Smoking

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable clothes such as a long sleeve cotton shirt, long cotton pants and an impermeable jacket.
  • The use of sunscreen is limited in order to protect the whale shark and the water from pollution.
  • It is recommended to take some medication in order to avoid seasickness.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 57 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.4/5
  • Service
    4.7/5
  • Organization
    4.9/5

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Star rating:

Magnifique quelle chance d’avoir pu voir ces merveilles c’était magique , le trajet bateau est très long mais ça valait le coup. Je suis juste restée un peu sur ma faim car nous avons eu le droit de sauter que deux fois j’aurais aimé un saut supplémentaire car ça va tellement vite … Je recommande vivement cette activité, très bien organisé le bateau se rapproche, un plongeur saute en premier puis nous sautons par binôme à tour de rôle… afin d nez pas se retrouver tel dans l’eau et effrayer les requins baleines, le plongeur veille à ce que nous les voyons sous l’eau en nous dirigeant et veille à ce que personne ne touche les baleines et ne s’approche trop …. Bref au top du top

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May 30, 2023

The experience was something amazing. Worth every cent. The animals are majestic and to see them in their natural habitat was epic. I went about a week ago and still talk about it to anyone that will listen. Will definitely go again. Tour guides were great. TAKE THE SEA SICKNESS PILL. We had some guests get sea sick and messed up their experience. Thank you Jose for the info. Very knowledgeable guides.

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May 30, 2023

We were told that we were approaching the very last days of the whale sharks being around the snorkeling site. They come by between May and mid September, so we were worried we wouldn’t be able to see any. But we found one whale shark that was swimming around even with a lot of people around. Because there are so many boats trying to get close to the sharks, you need to stay alert and safe. Also the boat ride to the snorkeling site is long and bumpy — we were told to purchase motion sickness pills. They saved our lives! Our guide was Lara and she was really cool and thoughtful throughout the entire excursion. She made sure we got in the water more than once and the boat crew was also very friendly and kind. Thank you Lara!

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May 30, 2023

Product ID: 4165