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Whale Shark Adventure

Cancun, Mexico
  • 6 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Whales sharks are some of the largest and most docile creatures on earth, and on this tour you can admire them up close and personal. After pickup at your hotel, travel to a marina to enjoy a continental breakfast and get acquainted with your guides, who will explain some rules to follow in the water. Take a boat to the spot where the whale sharks swim, with the opportunity to share the water with this majestic marine mammal if you so choose. Afterward, enjoy a ceviche and a drink aboard the boat before the return journey.
  • Swim with whale sharks in their natural habitat
  • Snorkeling equipment and professional guide included
  • Ceviche lunch and non-alcoholic beverages aboard the vessel
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cancun included

What's Included

  • Continetal breakfast.
  • Non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Life jacket.
  • Snorkeling equipment.
  • Lunch aboard the boat.
  • Guides.
  • Transfers to Marina and back to hotel from Costa Mujeres, Cancun and Puerto Morelos
  • Photos.
  • Tips.
  • Government Fees
    $20.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick-Up Information – Whale Shark Adventure Please note that pick-up times may vary slightly depending on your hotel location. The following are approximate pick-up times prior to your tour departure from the marina (API Punta Sam): Puerto Morelos: 1 hour 30 minutes before tour departure Cancún area: 1 hour 15 minutes before tour departure Costa Mujeres / Playa Mujeres: 45 minutes before tour departure Our team will confirm your exact pick-up time the evening before your tour. We kindly ask all guests to be ready at the designated meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to the confirmed pick-up time. Thank you, and get ready for an unforgettable Whale Shark experience!

Operating hours
.6:30 am

What To Expect

1

Isla Contoy

2

Isla Mujeres

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • You can not touch the shark at any point.
  • It is advisable to bring: - Towel. - Swimwear. - Cap or hat. - Sun glasses. - Sunscreen. - Biodegradable. - Identification. - Tour reservation receipt and / or confirmation key.
  • Stroller accessible
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

5.0
based on 2 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We loved it! Details on how it goes.

Kelli_K, Aug 2025
I had so much fun! The ride - I really appreciate they were willing to come out to Costa Mujeres to get us. Not many companies were willing that I could find. The marina - you can change at the marina. Be sure to use the bathroom because there is not any bathroom on the small boats and you're on them for around 3 hours. They offer a pastry to eat before leaving. The boat ride - very bouncy (which I loved). We had 8 total people on our boat, 4 couples. It was really great having such a small group without children!! It took over an hour to get to the location of the whale sharks. Same amount of time to come back but we stopped at Isla Mujeres. Have plenty of sun protection with you. The cool part - you must wear either a life jacket or rent a wet suit. They provide snorkel equipment on the boat. We went in one couple at a time, jumping from the boat (about 2 feet of a jump). The Capt would line up with a whale shark and you'd jump in, with the swimming guide, towards the front of the whale shark but at least 6 ft away. The swimming guide had a go pro taking pictures and videos throughout. He also made sure we were seeing as much of the whale shark as possible. They are fast, but you can use your flippers to swim alongside it for a few minutes. Once it swims away or dives down, the guide helps you get back to the boat where you have to climb up back into the boat via ladder. Again, pretty bouncy. Each couple repeated this process a few times. The ride back - just as bouncy and lengthy as the ride to the whale sharks. However, you still at Isla Mujeres and can jump into the gorgeous water and swim. It's not deep. We were on the water for about 30 minutes and the guide took more pictures with his GoPro. This was a really nice part of the tour to wind down and soak in what we just got to see. The lunch - when we were back on the boat they gave us ceviche and a ham and cheese croissant sandwich. Both were good. I really love ceviche in general, but this was really great! I ate all of mine and got seconds. The end - it was a short ride back from Isla Mujeres to the marina. Once back, you can view and purchase the pictures and videos they took. It's pricey, but we planned for it. They also sell a few souvenirs. If you do purchase the pics/vids, they give you a SD card before you leave and later email you a link to download them. We were then taken back to our hotel. Need cash for the marina fee ($20usd ea) and tips for driver and the boat guide and Captain. Can use card for wet suit rental, souvenirs and pics/vids. We had a blast!!! Everything was pleasant and fun!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Many thanks for taking the time to leave your kind words and observations following your recent excurtion, activitie or tour. I was delighted that you’ve enjoyed all the details we take pride in offering our guests. As is our regular practice, we’ve been happy to share your lovely remarks to our team who take so much pride in ensuring that all of our guests only receive the very best service.

Swimming with Whale Sharks

Paul_H, Jul 2020
Highly recommend. Great experience with friendly English and Spanish speaking tour guides. No bathrooms on the boats though so plan ahead.

Response from Host, Jul 2020

Thank you very much for sharing this amazing experience.

From $230.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 69 days in advance.

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