Swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres is a bucket list experience and magical. However, it is crucial to do so in an ethical way that does not harm the whale sharks in any way.
I became enchanted by the idea of swimming with whale sharks long before I became a scuba diver and passionate ocean advocate. So when a good friend mentioned that it would be whale shark season while talking about our upcoming Yucatán Peninsula trip, I dreamed of including it in my itinerary. After all, Isla Mujeres is known as a prime destination for swimming with whale sharks, and skipping it would have felt like missing out on a dream coming true.
But given what I know today about animal tourism, I was somewhat hesitant to make my dream come true, as I only want ethical animal encounters. With that in mind, I did some research and was pleasantly surprised that some governmental regulations are in place.
However, I know that rules are not always enough to protect wild animals. Therefore, I decided to see what a whale shark tour in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, is really like. And thankfully, the impression was mostly positive, so you do not have to remove it from your bucket list.
With that being said: In order to protect these amazing creatures and to ensure it is ethical, it is your job to research the individual operators and to report them if you see them violating the regulations in place. Your own enjoyment is never more important than the welfare of the whale sharks. Some people will ignore the rule, and it is up to you to speak up. Therefore, it is vital that you are aware of the regulations. Having that knowledge and using it is the only way to fully protect the whale sharks.
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What is it like to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres
I had around one minute in the water with the whale shark, and while short, it was a truly magical experience.
If the whale shark swims slowly, you will have more time per turn. But even in the best case, it is unlikely that you will have more than 8 minutes total between your maximum three chances to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres.
The whale shark is a wild animal, so it is unpredictable. While you can do your best to give it enough space, there is always a chance that it will change its direction and swim toward you.
So do yourself a favor and do not be close to your fellow snorkeler or the guide. Otherwise, you might not have enough space to back away from the approaching whale shark.
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I, for one, tried to keep my distance, but the whale shark suddenly decided to go to the left instead of forward. And let’s just say that I ended up a lot closer than I wanted to be, as I by no means wanted to touch or hurt this amazing animal. As it was, the only way to give it more space would have been to swim to the right, but that’s where my friend was.
It felt like a round of limbo with the biggest fish on earth, even if there was still some distance between me and the whale shark. I do not recommend it, and I am definitely not happy that I was closer than is recommended. Sometimes it does happen even if you do everything you can to avoid it. Hopefully, my experience will be a reminder you need to also keep an eye on your fellow snorkeler, so you always have the space you might need to back away.
If I were to do it again, I would give the whale shark even more space than the regulations require, and I recommend doing so to you, too. You do not have to be super close to them to see them, as the water is crystal clear. So give them the distance to move freely.
Whale Shark Tour Isla Mujeres
There are many different whale shark tour operators, but overall, they conduct the tours in a similar manner.
In the morning, you and everyone else joining the tour usually meet up at the dive centers or shops that offer the Isla Mujeres whale shark tours and then walk to the pier. However, some shops have you wait for them at the pier, so be sure the read the instructions you receive.
Some boats leave early, around 8 AM, and others depart around 10 AM. Leaving later means some of the boats are already gone, but it also decreases the likelihood of being the first boat to spot the whale sharks near Isla Mujeres.
Once on board the small boat, which hopefully has a sun cover for guests, you put on the mandatory lifejacket and get your snorkeling gear. Then it is time to head towards the whale shark area.
The whale sharks are in open water, so expect a bumpy boat ride to the area. The boats are small and the waves can be high, so there is a very good chance that you will be drenched by the time you arrive in the whale shark area near Isla Mujeres.
I recommend putting on your swimwear and stinger suit as soon as you have boarded the boat. Store everything else, including your phone, wallet, and towel, in a waterproof bag.
The whale shark area is large, so it can take a while to locate one or more. Especially, as there are no spotter planes that help the boats search for the animals. Keep your eyes on the surface of the water once you are in the area to see if you spot one of the whale sharks. It will be worth it, even if you do not see one as there are many other amazing marine animals in the area, including dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and even sailfish.
If whale sharks have already been spotted by other boats, you will head there. Otherwise, you will cruise around until you find one, or it is time to turn back without seeing a whale shark. Remember that there is no guarantee.
Once near one of the Isla Mujeres whale sharks, everyone puts on their snorkeling gear, and then it’s time to wait for your turn. If there are many boats, all boats will let their customers swim with the whale sharks in a row.
Just before you are allowed to enter the water, you sit on the side of the boat with your snorkel, mask, and fins, and wait for your guide to shout “jump, jump, jump”. Remember to slowly slide into the water instead of doing so with a big splash. You do not want to disturb the whale shark you want to swim with.
And then it is time for the magic moment. You swim on the surface as the whale shark comes closer and then glides past you. It is seconds full of wonder and amazement, and words cannot fully describe what it is like.
You have to be a very strong swimmer if you want to follow (but not chase) it for a few meters. Just know that even the strongest swimmer will not be able to keep up for long.
Once everyone had the chance to swim with whale sharks near Isla Mujeres, they usually offer everyone a sandwich and a bottle of water, and then it is time to head back with a grin on your face.
Before the Isla Mujeres whale shark tour ends, the boats drop their anchor at Playa Norte. Here, you can go for a short 15-minute-long swim while the crew prepares the food. Back on board, you can then eat ceviche and guacamole while enjoying a cold beer or a soft drink.
After that, the Isla Mujeres whale shark tour is over, and you can spend the rest of the afternoon checking out the things to do in Isla Mujeres. The tours usually end around 2 PM, but in some scenarios, they last until 4 PM.
Impressions and Remarks about my own whale shark tour
A whale shark tour from Isla Mujeres starts out with a 1-hour-long boat ride to the area and then 1.5 to 2 hours of looking for a whale shark. During my tour, two hours passed, and we had essentially given up as no whale shark had been spotted. There was only a false alarm.
We were just planning to head back when there was a boat radio call that one or two whale sharks had been spotted 30 nautical miles away from us. We were informed that we could go there, but that there were a lot of other boats heading there.
My stomach was honestly filled with dread as I did not want to see a lot of boats harassing a whale shark. I wanted to tell them that I just wanted to go back as it just felt wrong, but then I decided to stay silent as I wanted to be able to provide an honest account of the situation.
We arrived, and my heart dropped into my stomach as it looked like there was a ‘boat island’. We counted 33 boats in the area, and at first glance, it was very chaotic. But then we realized that there was an order and that the situation was better than it looked. Instead of getting too close and positioning themself around the animal, most boats waited in a spiral-like line to wait.
And while I was happy to see that, I do believe that there should be fewer boats in the area and that they should stay even further away.
Update: At the time of originally writing this, I was under the assumption that they were following the rules set in place by SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales). However, I recently found out that there is a new regulation concerning the distance between boats and whale sharks that was clearly ignored.
According to it (see page 18, point 23), all other boats have to stay at least 100 meters away and have to wait until the other boat leaves the area. No boat is allowed to stay near the whale shark for more than 30 minutes.
Is it ethical to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres?
While there are still issues that have yet to be fixed, it can be said that swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres can be ethical IF all the rules are followed. Hereby, ‘ethical’ is defined as follows: The whale sharks are wild animals that are not exploited or harmed in any way. Additionally, the behavior of the whale sharks is not altered.
To ensure this, it is vital that all the rules set in place by CONANP (the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas) are followed. Overall, the regulations for swimming with whale sharks in Mexico have a good basis, and I am happy that there are measures to protect the whale sharks. However, I would like to see further measures as the current ones are not yet ideal.
However, these rules are not always followed, which poses a major risk to the whale sharks near Isla Mujeres. It is vital that the regulations are strictly enforced in the future, as any violation can easily make swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres unethical.
Therefore, it is vital that YOU know the rules that are in place and that you speak up if you see them violated. It could be argued that it is hard for the government to ensure everyone follows the rules, but that only makes it more important that we, as travelers, hold whale shark tour operators accountable.
If we refuse to book tours with them because of unethical practices, they will have no choice but to adhere to the regulations in place. So do your part to ensure it can be an ethical experience and help protect the whale sharks.
As previously stated, I also think that some of the measures should be improved to ensure that it is ethical to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres, Cancun, or Holbox.
While some posters say otherwise and while there is now certainly a specific regulation, the limitation of boats per whale shark is not enforced.
Therefore, it can happen that more than 30 boats circle two whale sharks, which should never be the case.
And while all the crews I saw did their best to maintain a safe distance from the animal, it was still way too many.
The boats do wait in line, so it was never more than one boat really close to the animal, but ultimately, it was too many boats given the number of whale sharks, and the other boats should have been further away.
Another rule says that “when there are fewer than 5 whale sharks, you can only observe them from the boat.” This rule is not executed in any way – likely because tour operators know some people will not spend their money if they only get to see the whale sharks from the surface instead of swimming with them.
And while I admittedly think there could be a better regulation, allowing whale shark tour operators in Isla Mujeres and Holbox to ignore the rule sends the wrong message and leads to less ethical whale shark encounters. After all, it creates a situation of lenience where rule violations suddenly appear acceptable.
As previously mentioned, a limit of boats per whale shark would be prudent, and I would love to see the execution of a regulation that is similar to that of the Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Western Australia. There, only one boat is allowed per whale shark, with a maximum of 90 minutes in the vicinity of the animal, and the animal is not to be disturbed after that time frame.
The rule of two people and one guide per whale shark is mostly followed, although I have seen a few instances where it was two groups instead of one. Try to see which boat ignores the rules if you see this happen, and report them.
Another thing I would really like to see is a further limitation on the number of boats that are allowed per day. 300 boats per day are way too many, as this means there can be up to 3000 snorkelers per day. There are some reports of potential limitations, but even the proposed amount is still too high.
And while we are at it: The Mexican government should also turn the area in which the whale sharks accumulate during the season into a protected area. As of now, this is not the case.
Rules for swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres
It is not allowed to enter the water more than three times. If there are few whale sharks and many boats, the crew will likely decide to only let you swim the Isla Mujeres whale sharks once. This is done to protect the animals, so please accept it without complaint.
- Do not touch the whale sharks.
- Do not obscure the animal’s path.
- Try to keep a distance of at least 5 meters. (I highly recommend giving the whale shark more space than this!)
- Do not use a flash when taking photos & do not use lights or strobes.
- No scuba diving, as the bubbles could disturb and disorient the whale sharks as they feed.
- Move slowly so you do not disturb the animal. If bothered, it will dive down, so following this rule will benefit all involved parties.
In addition to these general rules for swimming with these gentle giants, it is also mandatory to wear a lifejacket while swimming with whale sharks near Isla Mujeres.
- There is a maximum of 10 guests per boat.
- No more than 300 boats are allowed per day. (Throughout the season, the average is 200 boats per day.)
- There is a mandatory guide for the two snorkelers who can be in the water at the same time.
Whale Shark Facts
Whale sharks are filter feeders whose diet mostly consists of plankton, and they eat up to one ton of plankton a day. They can be found in open water with a temperature above 22°C.
Most of them have a length between 3 and 12 meters, and the average length is 5 meters. A 12-meter-long whale shark weighs 11 tonnes, which makes an encounter a breathtaking experience. After all, this means they can be as big as a school bus.
The dot and stripe pattern of the whale sharks is as unique as a fingerprint, so it can be used to identify the individual animals.
Sadly, they are listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ on the Red List of Threatened Species. In some areas, whale sharks are hunted by humans. As these giants spend time close to the surface to feed, they are extremely vulnerable to boat strikes, plastic ingestion, and bad fishing practices.
How much does it cost to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres?
The price per person to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres starts at 125 USD. Whale shark tours from Cancun and Holbox are more expensive, as the demand is higher or because the travel time is significantly longer.
Unless you get a special discount, no legit company will ask for less. Therefore, you should see very cheap tours as a red flag that might indicate that it is not a licensed tour operator and that they do not operate in an ethical manner.
Be sure to read a variety of reviews before you settle for a whale shark tour operator in Isla Mujeres. There are plenty of them, so you can browse around if you are spending a few days in Isla Mujeres. Otherwise, it is best to book your tour online after reading some reviews.
Private tours are possible but more expensive. They are a great option if you are traveling with a larger group of friends, but with fewer than 10 people.
As you can see below, it is possible to book your whale shark tour in advance via third-party agencies. If you do so, I want you to take a look at the recent reviews and review their policies. I would prefer it if you talk to the tour operators themselves ahead of booking the trip to ensure they follow the rules, but if you do not want to do so, you can at least avoid unlicensed operators by booking the options below.
If you pay in the shops, it is best to pay in pesos. Use the conversion rate of your credit card instead of that offered by the Mexican bank processing the payment.
Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Season
The Isla Mujeres Whale Shark season is usually from June 1 to September 15. However, some Isla Mujeres whale shark tour operators start later and stop their tours sooner than these dates, as there are fewer animals in the area near the beginning and end of the season.
If you have the choice, it is best to plan a whale shark tour around the middle of the Isla Mujeres whale shark season. After all, July and August, see the largest number of whale sharks in the area. Therefore, they are the best months to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres. During this time, there are fewer boats per whale shark, which makes it the best time frame from an ethical point of view.
During the whale shark season, the water temperature ranges from 27°C to 29°C (80°F to 84°F).
There is a set whale shark season during which it is allowed to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres. Do not book a tour with a company that offers trips outside of the official season.
If you want to swim with whale sharks in the Gulf of California, the whale shark season is from October to February.
The best whale shark tour starting point: Isla Mujeres, Cancun, or Holbox?
All boats head toward the same area, so where you start does not make a difference when it comes to the experience of swimming with whale sharks itself. The difference between the departure destinations, Isla Mujeres, Cancun, and Holbox, is the costs and the traveling time to the whale shark area northeast of Boca Iglesia and Isla Contoy.
How long does it take to reach the whale shark area?
- Isla Mujeres: 1 hour
- Cancun: 1:15 h (likely stop to pick up more passengers on Isla Mujeres)
- Holbox: 1:30 to 2 hours
As the boat ride is the shortest from the pueblo magico Isla Mujeres, and because it is also the least expensive starting point, it is safe to say that whale shark tours from Isla Mujeres are the best option.
If you dream of swimming with whale sharks, it is better to plan a day trip to Isla Mujeres or to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres at the beginning or end of your Yucatán trip, as you will likely arrive in the area via Cancun airport.
Book your trip ahead of time. There is a limited number of boats allowed, and all of them can be full.
It is also possible to swim with whale sharks from Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, but I do not recommend these starting points. They include an early transfer to Cancun, where you will board the boat, and can easily be delayed thanks to traffic jams.
What to bring on an Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Tour
While things like food and even some drinks are included in your whale shark tour from Isla Mujeres, there are certain things you should bring aside from swimwear and a towel. Some of them will just make your life easier, while others might drastically improve how you will remember your experience.
UV protective clothing or a stinger suit — Sunscreen is not allowed, not even biodegradable sunscreen. Wear UV clothing or a stinger suit to avoid sunburn.
Seasickness medication — It is a bumpy ride, so take some unless you are used to being on smaller boats in open water. You do not want to get sick and feed the fish.
Rain jacket — It is windy due to the speed of the boat, so you might want to bring a rain jacket to keep you warm. Especially if it is a cloudy day.
Bring your own fins if you own some. — There is a limited number of fins per size available on the boats, so you might end up with the wrong size. Just ensure that your fins are good for snorkeling, or you will have no hope of keeping up with the whale shark.
Insulated water bottle — If you want to fight plastic pollution, it is always good to have a reusable water bottle. Bring your own if you have one, and fill it up before you board the boat. That way, you might not need the small plastic water bottles they offer you during the tour.
How to get to Isla Mujeres
To get to Isla Mujeres, you have to take a ferry from Cancun. There are two ferry terminals, but there are more ferry crossings from Puerto Juarez than from the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Where to stay on Isla Mujeres
If you also want to explore Isla Mujeres and check out what the island has to offer, it is best to spend at least one night. Arrive early in the day, so you can explore the island with a golf cart before swimming with whale sharks the next day.
Stay at Itzé Hostel or at the Selina Poc Na Hostel, which also have private rooms, if you are traveling on a budget. If you want to stay near Playa Norte and the piers where the whale shark tours on Isla Mujeres start, Hotel Privilege Aluxes is great. Should you prefer an all-inclusive resort, the MIA Reef Resort will be ideal for you.
FAQ: Swim with Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres
How many whale sharks will you see?
There is no way to predict how many whale sharks you will see, as they are wild animals. The largest number ever seen in a day near Isla Mujeres was 400, but do not expect to see as many.
Two days before my Isla Mujeres whale shark tour, they did not encounter a single one, and one day before my trip, they encountered four. When I went swimming with whale sharks near Isla Mujeres, we saw two whale sharks.
If you visit the area during the peak of the season, there is a good chance that upwards of twenty whale sharks will be spotted, but there are no guarantees.
Is it safe to swim with whale sharks?
There are no records of a whale shark biting or harming a human. Sadly, the same thing cannot be said about the way humans treat these gentle giants.
While you might (not yet) think that sharks are the puppies of the ocean, you do not have to be afraid of swimming with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres or elsewhere.
Whale sharks might be sharks, but they are filter feeders that eat plankton, so you do not have to worry. Just maintain the regulated distance so you do not accidentally get whacked by its giant tail fin or harm the whale shark.
Are you planning a trip?
Check out these useful websites and resources I use to plan my adventures around the world.
Roundup: Swim with Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres
If you want to swim with whale sharks, you should always keep in mind that you should only do so in locations where the animal encounter is regulated. Without strict regulations, swimming with whale sharks is often conducted in a way that harms the animal.
If this amazing adventure is on your bucket list, I recommend planning your trip to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres during the middle of the season when there is a great likelihood that more whale sharks will be at the surface.
It also has the bonus that fewer swimmers in the water per whale shark significantly decrease the risk of stressing the animal.
More about Mexico
If you are planning a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula, you might also be interested in these travel guides about Mexico:
Hidden Gems in Mexico
Mexico Travel Budget
Is swimming with Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres on your bucket list?
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Well written synopsis of the whale shark tour at Isla Mujares
Lovely post! The underwater world is so so gorgeous. It is like the water creatures have their own world.
Swimming with whale sharks is a magical experience, one that I missed unfortunately although we were so close to one in the Indian Ocean just off South Africa. OMG, there are so many boats though! I am glad they limit the amount of boats and people, but it must still have a huge impact having so many people swimming around them.
Thanks for sharing your experience as well as your honest opinion on things that could be improved. I swam with whale sharks in the Ningaloo Reef and it was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had.
Would have loved to swim with whale sharks in the Ningaloo Reef, but sadly missed the season by a week… Will definitly do it there too if I get the chance during my next Australia trip as I’d love to see just how different the tours are conducted.
Swimming with whale sharks on Isla Mujeres has been on my list for a while. Unfortunately, I had to cancel a trip to Mexico a while back. But I’m excited to read about your experience. An inspiring post! Thank you!
Sorry to hear that you had to cancel your trip. Hope you get to go to Mexico during the next whale shark season, so you can swim with whale sharks too!
It’s great to read about this ethical swimming with whale sharks tour! Thank you for also sharing valuable information about the best season to see them and what to bring on the tour. Definitely sounds like a well-worth trip!
Great post! Would love to be able to do this one day.
I appreciate the effort you went to to provide us with information about boat numbers per whale shark too. Super informative.