Cave of the Sleeping Sharks Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure
• All-Inclusive Isla Mujeres Catamaran
• Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya
• Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya
• Diving in the Mexican Caribbean for Beginners | 2 Tanks 2 Dives | All Inclusive

You can visit the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks via snorkeling or scuba diving excursions. Tours to reach this area off of Isla Mujeres typically run around US$80 and up for snorkeling, and around US$160 for scuba diving. Full-day excursions and private tours cost more.

The Cave of the Sleeping Sharks is an underwater cave system where sharks appear to be "sleeping" on the sand. The area is popular with scuba divers, though some snorkeling tours also go there. The nurse sharks are found at the bottom of the cave, about 60 feet (18 meters) underwater, so it’s best viewed while scuba diving.

If you want to see sharks when they are most active, visit the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks in the morning when the water is calmer, and you'll have better visibility. Dive operators are aware of the tides and will advise on the optimal conditions for diving.

Yes, if you plan to scuba dive at the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, you must be PADI open-water certified (or a comparable international certification). If you plan to snorkel at the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, you won't need any certification. Scuba diving affords you the best chance of seeing the sharks, and other locations might be better for snorkeling.

Yes, the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks is worth visiting if you plan to scuba dive. It is just a 30-minute boat ride from Isla Mujeres, and the coral cave system and "sleeping" sharks are interesting to see. If you only plan to snorkel, other sites may be better.