‘Tis the Season to Swim With Whale Sharks
By Dena DaSilva
It’s summer, it’s whale shark season, and the Riviera Maya is blessed to be one of the world’s greatest places on Earth to see and swim with these beautiful creatures.
What is a whale shark exactly? Well, despite its size, it’s not a whale nor is it a man-eating shark. It’s actually the largest known fish on the planet. They’re large, slow moving, filter feeders with a mouth that can be up to four feet wide. These fish can be as long or longer than a school bus and weigh multiple metric tons (or the weight of more than three elephants combined!). These majestic creatures glide along the water’s surface consuming enormous amounts of plankton, small fish, crustaceans, and squid through its gills as it swims. The biggest relief is to know that these gorgeous creatures are very gentle and pose no threat to humans.
North of Cancun at the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula is home to the largest concentration of these amazing fish that come every year to feed on plankton. The whale shark season is in the summer, usually from around mid-May to mid-September. However, it’s important to note that nature isn’t always predictable so the season can shift earlier or later, it all depends on the amount of plankton in the area. From local experience, July and August are the best months to see hundreds if not thousands of whale sharks at a time. These big beauties are normally found in abundance around the islands north of Cancun – Isla Holbox, Isla Contoy, and Isla Mujeres – where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea.
If you plan to visit the Riviera Maya during the summer months then swimming with the whale sharks is a must. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and simply awe-inspiring. It’s a great activity for the family as it welcomes a variety of ages.
Allow one of our experience curators to organize a wonderful whale shark adventure for you. It’s about a 50 km/30 mile boat trip from the port in Cancun. All the equipment you may need from wetsuits, snorkel gear, underwater cameras, even seasickness tablets are provided by the tour operator. The wonderful boat tour also includes a delicious lunch of conch ceviche, guacamole, and fruit along with a few cocktails and other refreshments all served on a pristine beach as you make your journey home.
Once back on dry land in Cancun, you’ll forever have the memory and the privilege of swimming alongside these magnificent creatures. This day will prove to be an unforgettable experience that absolutely no one should miss.
Speak to a Maya Luxe Experience Curator and organise your whale shark adventure.
