Swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres

Have you ever dreamed of swimming with a whale shark in Isla Mujeres? These marine giants, which can reach up to 12 meters in length and weigh 20 tons, offer one of the most impressive experiences you can have in Mexico.

From Privilege Aluxes we recommend a unique tour organized by Weymar and Islafuntours that runs from May 17 to September 17 (except for the 30th of each month). In this incredible experience, near Isla Contoy, you will find the largest concentration of whale sharks.

Prepare to live a unique experience at sea! Your adventure will begin at 8 am in Isla Mujeres. Upon arrival at the marina, you will enjoy a delicious coffee and bread, while receiving a safety briefing. Afterwards, you will put on your life jacket and board one of our 36-foot boats, which can accommodate up to 10 people.

We will sail to the area where the impressive whale sharks are located. Once located, you will begin your swim, accompanied by a certified guide, who will make sure you live this experience safely. During approximately 2 and a half hours at sea, you will have the opportunity to swim with two pairs, not only with whale sharks, but also with giant manta rays, dolphins and turtles, all in their natural habitat.

But the adventure doesn't end there. After the thrilling swim, we will head towards Isla Mujeres, arriving at North Beach, famous for its crystal clear waters. In this paradise, you can enjoy practicing snorkel on a reef and afterwards you will enjoy a delicious ceviche or snacks.

Finally, we will return to Isla Mujeres around 1:00 pm, to take you back to your hotel with unforgettable memories of this unique experience.

Recommendations for the whale shark tour

• Wear comfortable shoes or sandals.
• Towels
• Hat or cap, sunglasses
• Swimsuit
• Camera
• Cash

The following elements are included in the price of the tour:

• Round transportation
• 36-foot speedboats
• Life jacket
• Snorkeling equipment
• Certified guides Bilingual crew
• Coffee and bread
• From 2 to 3 swims per person with the whale shark.
• Water and soft drinks
• Swimming and snorkeling in Playa Norte
• Sandwich & Ceviche

Not included:

• Federal dock and marine park tax, $20 dollars or 350 pesos per person in cash.

Attention, children under 4 years old are not allowed to participate in this activity..

Before embarking on this incredible adventure of swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres, you must know certain requirements and fundamental recommendations.

Minimum age information varies by operator, however, most state that participants must be between 8 and 10 years old to swim with the whale shark. On the other hand, some operators allow children as young as 4 years old, while others require a minimum of 15 years old. If you are traveling with minors, please confirm this requirement when booking.

If you are traveling with minors, please confirm this requirement when booking.

It is important to note that this activity is not recommended for pregnant women, people with heart problems, respiratory problems, epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension or claustrophobia. In addition, you must know how to swim, as it is a prerequisite for this experience.

For your whale shark swim you will need to bring:

• Bathing suit (brought from the hotel, as there are no changing rooms on the boats).
• Towel and dry clothes for the return trip
• Biodegradable sunscreen (conventional sunscreens are harmful to the marine ecosystem).
• Rashguard or long sleeve t-shirt (additional sun protection)
• Cap, hat and sunglasses
• Motion sickness medications if you are prone to motion sickness
• Underwater camera (only allowed on some tours)
• Cash for tips

However, the carrying of video cameras is prohibited in certain areas and the use of drones is completely forbidden. For safety reasons, life jackets are mandatory on all tours, while wetsuits are prohibited on some tours.

The experience of swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres has become one of the most sought after activities in the Mexican Caribbean. Knowing the details about when and how to enjoy this experience is essential to make the most of your visit.

Each year, these marine giants make an extraordinary migration to the waters of the Yucatan Peninsula, usually from late May to mid-September. During this period, you can enjoy swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres in their natural habitat.

Why do they choose our shores? The warm waters of the Mexican Caribbean are rich in nutrients, creating the perfect environment for these magnificent animals to feed in.

Whale sharks mainly seek plankton, krill, small crustaceans and other tiny marine species that abound in these waters. In fact, they can consume up to 117 kg of food daily, which is why they remain at the surface, making it easy to spot them.

Each year, these marine giants make an extraordinary migration to the waters of the Yucatan Peninsula, usually from late May to mid-September. During this period, you can enjoy swimming with whale sharks on Isla Mujeres in their natural habitat.

Why do they choose our shores? The warm waters of the Mexican Caribbean are rich in nutrients, creating the perfect environment for these magnificent animals to feed. Whale sharks are a great way of feeding. Whale sharks mainly seek plankton, krill, small crustaceans and other tiny marine species that are abundant in these waters. In fact, they can consume up to 117 kg of food daily, which is why they remain at the surface, making them easy to spot.

Despite the high probability of sightings, you should know that whale sharks live in the wild. For this reason, on rare occasions (approximately 5% of the time) you might not see any specimens. Operators have the experience and tools to locate these animals, however, their presence is never 100% guaranteed. It is important to note that some whale sharks are not always seen.

It is important to note that some tours only allow swimming if there are more than five sharks in the area. If the number is less, you may be limited to a sighting without a dive. Therefore, we recommend booking your trip during the peak of the season and consider having days of margin to maximize your chances.

During the swim, participants enter in pairs along with the specialized guide, who makes sure you keep a respectful distance from the animal. The experience of watching these magnificent fish, which can measure up to 12 meters, swimming peacefully while feeding on plankton, is truly unforgettable.

It is important to remember that if there are 5 whale sharks or less in the area, some operators may only allow non-swimming sightings.

Para garantizar tanto tu seguridad como el bienestar de estos majestuosos animales, debes seguir estrictamente estas normas:

• Mantén siempre una distancia mínima de 2 metros a los lados de la cabeza y 3 metros de la aleta caudal del tiburón ballena
• No toques, montes o persigas a los animales bajo ninguna circunstancia
• Utiliza únicamente bloqueadores solares biodegradables o, preferiblemente, ropa de protección solar
• No uses flash para las fotografías submarinas ni bastones de extensión para autorretrato (selfie stick)
• Sigue en todo momento las indicaciones de tu guía certificado
• Recuerda que el tiburón ballena es una especie protegida y las actividades de nado están reguladas por las autoridades ambientales mexicanas para garantizar su conservación.