With this blog we take a closer look at the individual activities you could do during the tour through Yucatán and Chiapas. One of the most special activities is snorkeling with whale sharks.
If you go to Mexico, snorkeling with whale sharks should be on your bucket list! We would like to share our tips and information with you. Do you still have questions afterwards? Leave a message in the comments!
In this blog you can read more about:
- Where exactly can you do this?
- What does a tour cost?
- Who is the tour suitable for?
- Which tour operator do you choose?
- When should you book?
- What is the best travel time?
- Course of a day tour (1 day tour)
- Accommodation options
Where exactly can you do this?
Every year whale sharks flock to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. If you want to go snorkeling and swimming with whale sharks, there are several possible departure points:
Isla Mujeres
This is the hotspot for snorkeling with whale sharks! Isla Mujeres is located in the middle of the area where these gentle giants gather. The boat trip does not take too long and you can visit different places if necessary. Moreover, it is always nice to stay on a paradise island. Here you can cross an item off your bucket list and enjoy the tropical island feeling at the same time. Worth mentioning: you can also enjoy snorkeling here.
Isla Mujeres is by far the best place to stay and arrange your snorkeling tour with the whale sharks from here. The options below are also possible.
Holbox Island
This is also such an island paradise. This island is better known than Isla Mujeres. This island feels super relaxed and besides snorkeling with whale sharks, you can just chill here for a few days. It is a little further out than Isla Mujeres to spot whale sharks. In addition, Isla Mujeres has an easier connection to Cancun than Isla Holbox.
Cancun
From here you can book a tour relatively easily. Prices are competitive. Moreover, the area where the whale sharks occur is only an hour away, so it can be reached relatively quickly. You have to be able to deal with mass tourism in Cancun. Moreover, the city itself does not really have much to offer. But if you are short on time and you want to take this excursion: great starting point!
Puerto Morelos
This is a very pleasant village with a friendly atmosphere. From Puerto Morelos you can enjoy snorkelling in the reef. But there are also tour agencies that not only offer snorkeling trips, but also snorkeling with whale sharks. Here you have to take into account higher prices, because it is now further away from the area where the whale sharks occur.
Akumal-Tulum
You could optionally join a tour departing from Cancun from other coastal towns. Please note, however, that the tour starts in the morning, around 7:00 AM, and you must factor in the driving time to Cancun. From Tulum, for example, it takes you 2 hours to get to Cancun and in the morning rush hour it is even longer. So you have to get up at three o’clock in the morning… not very tempting.
What does a tour cost?
As soon as you start Googling for “ snorkeling with whale shark tours” , you will soon come across decent prices. It’s true that you won’t find any tours under $140. However, most providers are more expensive, up to those asking over $200! A ‘normal’ price varies between 140 and 190 dollars, depending on where you stay. The further the pick-up is from the port, the more expensive.
We do not recommend a private tour! A private tour is not as private as it sounds. You just go to the same places and arrive around the same time as all the other tourists. Very expensive, and not exclusive!
Who is the tour suitable for?
Actually for everyone. However, you should compare the providers carefully if you plan to go with your family. There are providers that only offer tours for adults or from a certain age. However, many tour operators are open to all ages. However, the whale sharks are gigantic and we can certainly imagine that a child can be afraid of this. There are always two people going at a time, so make sure an adult goes with a child. Moreover, the supervisor always comes along (and they are good with kids…). Just watching from the boat is also really nice, they are close enough for that!
Which tour operator do you choose?
All in all, there are a lot of tour providers! You can also book a whale shark tour from home. In any case, all tour operators pass the same places and have largely the same program. All tour operators have boats for six to ten people.
The difference lies mainly in the fact that some providers are active in a wide area, and therefore also pick up tourists in Tulum-Akumal and that other providers operate on a really small scale, for example from Isla Mujeres itself, or from Puerto Morelos.
When you choose to stay on Isla Mujeres you can go to Carey Dive Center. It is always better tp book this tour in advance when you only stay on Isla Mujeres for a few days and want to be sure of a spot. The booking process can be done online, and the contact is pleasant. Prices are not more expensive compared to other providers, despite being a larger agency.
If you are not going to do the tour from Isla Mujeres, you can do it from Puerto Morelos. A very good provider here is Diverspoint . They organize all kinds of diving and snorkelling tours. You can also rent bicycles there. Moreover, they do speak different languages
In addition, you can take a look at TripAdvisor and then view a number of websites of the providers. One provider that can provide pickup and drop-off in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun is Ocean Tours . They offer all-inclusive tours, where you also get breakfast and lunch. They get very good feedback!
When should you book?
Book in advance or on site? It can be both. However, if you want to be sure of a place and want good organization, We would advice book in advance. Even if you only stay in one place like we did (we spent three nights on Isla Mujeres), I would definitely book in advance. If you spend a week on the beach in Mexico, you could book on the spot. Normally the advantage of booking on the spot is that you could negotiate. In practice, we noticed that the prices were fairly fixed and start from 140 dollars…. We came across one couple who had received a discount because they had also booked a snorkeling excursion with the same company.
What is the best travel time?
Yes, that’s a very important one! Whale sharks are not there all year round, but only for a limited period! They can be found in the waters around Isla Mujeres from May to September . The trips are only offered during this season . In practice, the months are June, July and Augustthe high season for those who want to cross this activity off the bucket list! In May the whale sharks start to gather, so they are not so numerous yet, and from September there is a chance of strong winds (October is even the hurricane season), and then you can only sail when the weather is good. However, if you go in June, July or August, the chance of seeing whale sharks is virtually guaranteed! There are nowhere in the world so many of these beautiful animals at the same time as here!
Course of a tour
You cannot book multi-day tours here. Your tour consists of a day trip . You have to get out of bed early for that.
The further you have to come, the sooner. So if you come from Tulum, you have to get off at 5.45! Typical for the tours that start from the mainland, they usually serve another breakfast in Cancun before you really go to sea.
That is not the case with the tours that depart from Isla Mujeres . Here you get on the boat around 8.00 am and first you get a short explanation about the whale sharks, what to expect and how the tour goes. Between 8.00 and 8.30 you go to sea.
About 45 minutes to an hour and a half later you will be at the place where the whale sharks are located. The sailing time depends a bit on where they are exactly. In July and August you really have an almost 100% guarantee to see whale sharks. Usually even more than one. You are not the only tourist yourself. Your boat can usually take about six to ten people, excluding skipper and guide. Count that you will encounter 10 such boats on the spot. We even heard from other tourists that there were up to 30 boats on the day they had snorkeled. However, we can reassure you here: with these boats there are also surveillance boats from the Mexican government to make sure everything goes well and to check that everyone is following the rules.
That means: don’t get too close to the whale sharks, don’t chase them . That is why only two people (plus the guide) are allowed into the water at a time from each boat . If you are with kids, make a team with your child as a parent. You get about 2 to 4 minutes per swim round to swim with the whale sharks. Of course the first time in the water with the whale shark is the most beautiful and impressive moment, but you can’t get enough of these wonderful creatures. This is followed by a number of swimming rounds. The guide helps you (or the kids) where necessary and he takes great photos and videos underwater. Nice as a souvenir!
In total you will be there for about three hours . Afterwards you will then sail back to Isla Mujeres, to a beach (usually Playa Norte), where you will have some more snorkeling time, and where a delicious lunch will be served, which is included in the tour. You eat ceviche, a raw fish dish, very tasty and refreshing. The tours that depart from the mainland also often visit Isla Mujeres for lunch. Afterwards the tour is over , which is around 2.30 pm to 3.00 pm if you take the tour from Isla Mujeres.
Our experience is that people really do show a lot of respect for the animals . The imposed rules are followed effectively, all boats do that, and the animals are really given the necessary space. That made us decide to do this tour and that was also confirmed during the tour. Nowadays, private tours are also offered . That is absolutely not necessary , you are only six to ten people in your boat anyway. Moreover, with a private tour you are certainly not private: during our tours we also encountered boats that did a private tour. You really have to share that whale shark with other tourists who have booked through other travel agencies.
Overnight on Isla Mujeres
We have already indicated it above: Isla Mujeres is actually the best place to spend the night if you want to snorkel with whale sharks. You can also enjoy great snorkeling here and you immediately enjoy that tropical island feeling. Getting around on Isla Mujeres is decadent with a golf cart. From here you can also do the snorkeling tour with the whale sharks. Spending the night on an island does not have to be that expensive at all. Below are a few options:
Our choice: Itzé Hotel
This is a nice deal! With a score of 8.2 and great value for money. Nice, clean rooms and a very good location. You sleep there for $68 in a double room, by far the best deal on this island! You can also book a bed in a dormitory here for $29. Oh yes, and the breakfast is delicious! Book here !
Hotel tip: Nomads Hotel & Beach Club
Now this is a great four star hotel! The location is perfect: on the southern, wonderful beach, with your feet in the sand! Close to restaurants, cafes and shops and also with two restaurants on site. The hotel is very hip and there is a nice backpacker vibe: all kinds of activities are also organized (SUP lessons,….) and you can simply rent your golf cart on the spot 😉 Very clean, spacious rooms with air conditioning and a swimming pool to cool off to cool! You can sleep here in a double room from $154 per night, with four people you pay $178. Oh yes, and the beds are wonderful! Book Nomads Hotel & Beachclub here!
Luxury hotel: La Joya Isla Mujeres****
This hotel is located in the quiet South, close to the sea and some beautiful snorkeling locations! All rooms have air conditioning, a private sitting area, some also have their own (spacious) terrace! The hotel provides a shuttle bus to and from the ferry. Of course there is also a fantastic swimming pool here. Travelers think the hotel is fantastic and give La Joya Isla Mujeres**** a big 8.8! You have a double room with a very good breakfast from $167 per night. Nice detail: the staff is very nice and gives you a lot of tips about the area. You can also use snorkelling equipment and kayaks. Eating in the restaurant is certainly not a punishment!
Tips snorkeling with whale sharks
So, these were all my tips! Do you still have questions about snorkeling with whale sharks after reading this blog? About booking a tour or something like that? Ask your question in the comment section!