Whale Shark & Manta Ray Snorkel -(May-Sept) Only 10pp per Boat
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- 7 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Isla Mujeres welcomes the world's largest concentration of whale sharks to its waters every year from May to September. But, for visitors, it can be difficult to know where to spot them. Skip the guesswork with this guided boat tour that takes you close to a pod of whales and manta rays, and into the water to swim near them for an unforgettable experience.
- Guided boat tour ensures your best chance of seeing whales
- Small-group: Maximum of 10 passengers ensures no crowding
- Learn about marine life and behavior from your guide
- Includes lunch: No need to buy or pack your own
What's Included
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- All Fees and Taxes
- LunchIncludes a light breakfast pre-boat ride including juice and coffee, fresh ceviche, sandwiches and beverages.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Aqua Adventures Eco Divers, 5 Star Padi Dive CenterCentro across from Javi's Cantina, Av Juárez 13, Centro, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Q.R., Mexico
Our Aqua Adventures dive shop is located on Avenida Benito Juarez 13 across from Javi's Cantina. We are located just 3 blocks north of the Ferry Terminal and one block east
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.7:50 am
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- 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 10 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Maddison_E
This experience was so magical, it brought tears to my eyes! Our guides were so so amazing. It was a nice long boat ride out to where the whale sharks were, and our captain navigated those beautiful waters perfectly. We were able to enjoy the ride and take in the view on the way there. When we arrived he knew exactly how to get us up close and personal with the sharks. We saw two massive whale sharks and they were breathtaking. I looked one right in the eye!! After plenty of time in the water with the sharks, we took a ride to a nearby reef where we were able to explore on our own. Our main tour guide prepared us the most delicious lunch ever. I’ll be dreaming about that ceviche!! On the ride back we saw dolphins, sea turtles, and lots of birds which was a fun added bonus.
This experience was perfect. They provided plenty of tasty food and drinks and they had all the supplies we needed (life jackets, snorkels, goggles). My two main pieces of advice are: 1) ditch the camera. You’ll need both hands to swim and you should really use every second to take it all in. The experience will turn out so much better than any photos. 2) be prepared to swim. This was a bit more physically demanding than I originally expected. The sharks are fast and constantly moving so you’ve got to swim quickly to keep up. But with the captain’s expert navigation, even our weaker swimmers got a good glimpse.
Reviews
4.7
based on 34 reviews
Maddison_E, Sep 2025
This experience was so magical, it brought tears to my eyes! Our guides were so so amazing. It was a nice long boat ride out to where the whale sharks were, and our captain navigated those beautiful waters perfectly. We were able to enjoy the ride and take in the view on the way there. When we arrived he knew exactly how to get us up close and personal with the sharks. We saw two massive whale sharks and they were breathtaking. I looked one right in the eye!! After plenty of time in the water with the sharks, we took a ride to a nearby reef where we were able to explore on our own. Our main tour guide prepared us the most delicious lunch ever. I’ll be dreaming about that ceviche!! On the ride back we saw dolphins, sea turtles, and lots of birds which was a fun added bonus.
This experience was perfect. They provided plenty of tasty food and drinks and they had all the supplies we needed (life jackets, snorkels, goggles). My two main pieces of advice are: 1) ditch the camera. You’ll need both hands to swim and you should really use every second to take it all in. The experience will turn out so much better than any photos. 2) be prepared to swim. This was a bit more physically demanding than I originally expected. The sharks are fast and constantly moving so you’ve got to swim quickly to keep up. But with the captain’s expert navigation, even our weaker swimmers got a good glimpse.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Maddison, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! 🌟 We’re thrilled to hear that swimming with the whale sharks was as magical for you as it is for us—looking one in the eye is truly unforgettable. 🦈💙
It’s wonderful that you enjoyed not only the whale sharks, but also the reef snorkel, the dolphins and turtles on the way back, and of course our crew’s ceviche (we agree, it’s hard to forget!). Knowing our captain and guides helped make the day smooth, safe, and special really means the world to us.
We also love your advice—ditching the camera and being ready for some good swimming is exactly the way to get the most out of this incredible adventure.
Thank you again for choosing Aqua Adventures. We’d love to welcome you back one day for more amazing moments on the water! 🌊✨
Ashtin_M, Jul 2024
the captain was very personable and enthusiastic, and was very good at ensuring you had a very good view of the sharks. the guide was also very kind and good at his job.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you, Ashtin, for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience viewing the whale sharks and that our guide was able to ensure you had an excellent vantage point. It's wonderful to know our guide's kindness and professionalism made your trip memorable. We hope to see you again on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
Jessica
Daniel_S, Jul 2024
The captain and guide were fantastic. Great experience for my daughter and I. Best ceviche on the island!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Hi Daniel,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your daughter had a fantastic experience with our captain and guide during the whale shark tour. It was our pleasure to provide you both with a memorable adventure. We're also delighted to hear you enjoyed the ceviche! Thank you again for choosing us for your adventure. We hope to welcome you back soon for another amazing experience!
Best regards,
Jessica
Jen_B, Sep 2023
The overall experience was wonderful. The ocean was gorgeous and the captain and tour guide were both very helpful.
I'm an anxious person by nature though, and this sort of this was too much for me. I swallowed a lot of sea water and panicked when I got in the water at first. I more or less paid for the boat ride out and a tummy ache. Smarter people than I would probably know better than to try swimming with whale sharks with extreme anxiety. I'm still glad I did it.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thank you and sorry you had anxiety.. they are huge beautiful-majestic creatures .. Glad you had a great time in spite of this..
Sad you gave us a 3 star only since we did our job. That hurts us bad...
Thank you ..
Michael_M, Sep 2023
Through no fault of the tour, operator, or captain, there just simply weren’t any whale sharks that day. Nobody saw them, so it was kind of depressing as this was the sole reason for us going to Isla Mujeres. However, when we came up to the sandbar, the captain made homemade shrimp ceviche, which was delicious and both here And the other gentleman were very nice.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thank you... Yes they are wild animals and we do not have control so we never guarantee.. That said we have the largest concentration of whalesharks on the planet May-September.. June- the first week of August we typically see them daily. I am so sorry your day was not successful!! It truly breaks our hearts too..
Sad you gave us a 3 star only since we did our job. That hurts us bad...
Sara_B, Aug 2023
This was a really great trip seeing the whale sharks. The check in was really easy, then our captain drove us out in the boat for about an hour and we saw a ton of whale sharks! Everyone on the boat got two jumps into the water with them. Gustavo was a great guide maximizing everyone’s experience in the water. Afterwards they served sandwiches and waters/sodas, we saw a bunch of dolphins on the boat ride back. We made a stop to snorkel at another reef and then made another stop in front of the island to swim and eat fresh ceviche. We got to see a turtle on this last stop as well. I would recommend Aqua Adventures to anyone!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you so much!!!! They are amazing creatures!!!! So happy the dolphins and turtles were out to play too!!! Hope you can visit again
chris_k, Jul 2023
Waited over an hour for a late group. No one to take video and pictures in the water. The whale sharks were amazing. Long ride to sharks very choppy.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
I am so sorry about the wait you had... We would of waited for you too... We try to accommodate everyone and respect that issues happen with transportation etc..... It doesn't happen often..
I will certainly check into the photographer issue, the guides always have cameras unless something malfunctioned and they were unable to.. That is a huge part of the experience we offer people... First I have heard of this..
We do sometimes have to cross currents which can be choppy waters... It is kinda like deep sea fishing...
Thank you so much
Shonna_S, Jul 2023
The hard work of the guides paid off and we were able to find and swim with the whale sharks. I understand they cannot control if the sharks are around that day or not, but they adjusted the start time of our trip so we would have a better chance of finding the animals. Their communication was very clear.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thank you so much!!!! We strive to provide the best service possible!!!! So happy for you.. They are amazing creatures!!!
Tim_L, Jun 2023
The trip was well organized by Aqua Adventures and we had a good time. Unfortunately, there was only one whale shark the day we went out, so a limited opportunity due to government regulations to protect the animals.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Yes this happens occasionally early season..
Sad about 4 Star as you said good trip and we took good care of you.
Mother Nature isn’t us:(
Thank you for joining us! Hope you can return!
Gillian_R, May 2023
Awesome day with the Whale Sharks and we saw two manta rays, one was white :)
The crew were cheerful and extremely helpful. It made for a fantastic day!
Response from Host, May 2023
We're glad you had a great time. Thank you for choosing us here at Aqua Adventures. We appreciate having great guests like yourselves.
From $160.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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