Playa del Carmen Whale Sharks Tour: Ultimate Guide (2023)
Visiting Playa del Carmen and want to go swimming with whale sharks? You’ve come to the right guide!
As a travel blogger that lives in Playa del Carmen, I’ve personally done the whale sharks snorkeling experience and can honestly say it was an unforgettable experience!
I mean how many people can say that they have gone swimming with sharks?! Check! ✅
🐳 Ready to book your Playa del Carmen whale shark tour?
I went on this whale shark tour from Playa del Carmen and had an incredible experience! All transportation is included and the guides are exceptional 💯
In this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know about swimming with whale sharks from Playa del Carmen, including what to expect and how to make the most of your tour experience.
Ready to find out if the Playa del Carmen whale sharks tour is right for you? Let’s get started!
What to Know About the Playa del Carmen Whale Shark Tour
First, let’s start with some of the most important things to know about the Playa del Carmen whale shark snorkeling tour:
Where can you swim with whale sharks in Playa del Carmen Mexico?
It’s important to know that you can’t actually swim with whale sharks directly in Playa del Carmen, as whale sharks can only be found near Isla Mujeres.
So if you are staying in Playa del Carmen and want to swim with whale sharks, you’ll have to first travel to Cancun and then over to Isla Mujeres by boat.
The whale sharks tour includes roundtrip transportation from Playa del Carmen with hotel pickup, so you won’t have to worry about getting there.
Just be prepared for an early pickup time! And it takes over an hour to get from Playa del Carmen to Cancun, where you’ll board the boat to Isla Mujeres.
When is whale shark season in Isla Mujeres?
Isla Mujeres whale shark season is typically from May–September when the plankton blooms in the shallow waters off the shores of the island.
This is what attracts the whale sharks to Isla Mujeres, where they come to feed in the warm tropical waters.
Whale shark season typically begins around May 15th and then tour operators will monitor the whale sharks’ presence and cease tours when they leave the area.
Why swim with whale sharks?
Swimming with whale sharks is one of the best Isla Mujeres tours from Playa del Carmen and shouldn’t be missed if you’re visiting during this time of year!
The whale sharks tour from Playa del Carmen offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that combines awe-inspiring encounters with these magnificent creatures and the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean.
It is a unique opportunity to witness the world’s largest fish species up close in their natural habitat, which can be very humbling!
And it’s a small group tour that’s limited to 10 people so you’ll have a much more intimate and personalized experience.
Plus, you can cross off swimming with sharks from your bucket list! ✅
More About Swimming with Whale Sharks
If you’re like me, you might be feeling a little nervous about an open water shark encounter experience.
In fact, I was a little apprehensive about going on the Playa del Carmen whale shark tour myself before I really knew anything about whale sharks.
Although it sounded exciting, my mind immediately flashed to the gory shark scenes from Jaws, Soul Surfer, The Shallows, etc. Not sure I could handle that!
But then I quickly discovered that whale sharks are not actually as terrifying as one might think!
Even though they are considered to be the largest fish species, they are actually considered “gentle giants”.
So here’s a few of the basics on whale sharks that helped to ease my fears. Trust me they aren’t as scary as you think!
What are whale sharks?
Whale sharks are the largest fish species and contrary to its name, they are not actually whales but are classified as sharks. They are not predatory in nature and are considered to be “gentle giants”.
Whale sharks are gigantic in size with lengths ranging from 18-33 feet long and weighing up to 41,000 pounds. That’s comparable to the size of a school bus. Woah!
Whale sharks are covered in white spots and each shark has their own unique spot pattern, similar to human fingerprints.
What do whale sharks eat?
Even though a whale shark’s mouth can be up to 5 feet wide and have over 300 teeth, they are filter feeders and primarily feed just on plankton and small fish. They migrate to tropical areas of the world that are rich in plankton.
Their throats are only about the size of a quarter so it would be physically impossible for them to swallow a human.
Is it safe to swim with whale sharks?
Yes, swimming with whale sharks is generally considered safe when conducted under responsible and regulated conditions.
Whale sharks are known for their gentle nature and non-aggressive behavior towards humans.
However, it is important to follow guidelines provided by experienced tour operators and local authorities to ensure the safety of both participants and the whale sharks themselves.
These guidelines usually include maintaining a respectful distance from the animals, avoiding touching or chasing them, and refraining from using flash photography or loud noises that may disturb them.
Additionally, it is crucial to be a competent swimmer and have a basic understanding of snorkeling techniques.
By adhering to these guidelines and respecting the natural behavior of the whale sharks, swimming with these majestic creatures can be a safe and unforgettable experience.
What’s Included in the Playa del Carmen Whale Shark Tour
Below is what is included in the whale shark tour from Playa del Carmen:
- Whale shark snorkeling experience in Isla Mujeres
- Roundtrip transportation from Playa del Carmen
- Continental breakfast
- Bilingual tour guides
- Snorkeling gear (mask, fins, and life jacket)
- Lunch
- Water and soft drinks
❌ What’s not included: A Natural Reserve Fee of $15 USD per person is payable upon pick-up in cash. Plus, tips and optional photo and video packages.
How to Book a Whale Sharks Playa del Carmen Tour
The easiest way to book the Playa del Carmen whale shark tour is by booking online in advance. You can book online here.
Whale sharks tours in Playa del Carmen can have limited availability as it is a smaller and more exclusive experience. You’ll want to book early to reserve your spot!
The price can vary depending on the month but it typically costs around $209 USD per person. It is one of the more expensive Playa del Carmen snorkeling tours but it is definitely worth it!
Remember the tour is only available during the months of May-September.
Whale Shark Tour Itinerary
The whale shark tour Playa del Carmen starts very early with a pickup from your hotel or designated meeting point.
I was picked up at 6:30AM from downtown Playa del Carmen, but this will vary depending on the location of your hotel.
Below is a detailed tour itinerary. The total duration of the tour is about 8 hours. Note times can vary depending on tour operator and group size.
- 6:30 AM: Pickup from Playa del Carmen
- 7:30 AM: Arrive to Punta Sam Marina Cancun
- 8:30 AM: Depart Punta Sam Marina Cancun by boat
- 9:00 AM: Arrive offshore Isla Mujeres
- 9:00 AM: Swimming with whale sharks
- 11:00 AM: Lunch at Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres
- 12:00 PM: Boat ride back to Punta Sam Marina Cancun
- 1:00 PM: Return trip to Playa del Carmen
- 2:30 PM: Arrive Playa del Carmen
Whale Shark Tour Experience
Here’s what to expect during each stop on the whale shark tour itinerary:
Pickup in Playa del Carmen
The whale shark excursion from Playa del Carmen begins with a very early pickup around 6:30 AM from your hotel or designated meeting point.
It’s an early start so you definitely don’t want to go out drinking the night before!
Your pickup vehicle will vary depending on how many people are coming from Playa del Carmen but we were picked up in a comfortable sedan.
Stop 1: Punta Sam Marina Cancun
It takes about an hour to drive from Playa del Carmen to Cancun so I would recommend bringing some coffee along for the ride or it’s a great time to go back to sleep if you are able!
Once you arrive to the marina, you’ll be treated to a light continental breakfast that includes coffee cake, fruit, sandwiches, and juice.
You’ll wait for the other tour goers to arrive and then everyone will board the speed boat to Isla Mujeres.
Group sizes will vary depending on the day but are capped at around 10 people for a small group experience.
As you board the boat, you’ll be greeted by two tour guides and the boat captain who will quickly outfit everyone with life jackets, flippers, and snorkeling masks.
Stop 2: Offshore Isla Mujeres
From the Punta Sam Marina in Cancun you’ll head over to the island of Isla Mujeres, which takes less than 30 minutes and is a stunning ride through crystal clear turquoise water.
Rules for Swimming with Whale Sharks
During the boat ride, the tour guides will explain the guidelines and process for swimming with whale sharks.
Basically it is a “search and find” type mission as they never know where the sharks will be that day. They also explained some important rules:
- Touching the whale sharks is prohibited
- The group will be divided into pairs and only 2 snorkelers will be allowed in the water at a time
- Regular sunscreen is prohibited – only reef-safe biodegradable sunscreen is allowed
Whale Sharks Drop Zone
Once we arrived to the whale shark area, we could see dorsal fins protruding out of the water almost everywhere we looked.
I’m talking 60-70 whale sharks in sight and that was just in the area where our boat had stopped. Not all tours will get to see this many whale sharks but we were very lucky that day!
On top of seeing whale sharks, you might get to see other sea creatures as well. On our tour, the guides kept yelling, “Manta, Manta!” where we would spin around to find giant manta rays gliding through the water.
Wait a minute, had I really willingly signed up to jump into these heavily shark invested waters?! Too late now!
The tour guides were excellent at explaining exactly what we needed to do. The group is divided into pairs and only two snorkelers plus one tour guide are allowed in the water at a time.
Once it’s your turn, you will be instructed to sit on the side of the boat with your feet dangling off the edge.
Then the captain precisely positions the boat at just the right spot next to a whale shark and then you wait to hear the guides say “Jump!”.
Whale Shark Snorkeling Experience
After you jump into the water, the tour guide will lead you and your partner in the right direction towards the whale shark.
You’ll get to snorkel at the surface of the water within just a few feet of the sharks.
At first sight underwater, the whale shark was truly a magnificent creature to observe–they are just as massive as they look in the pictures!
It was so cool to see these ginormous creatures up close and personal and see their unique spot patterns along with their massive gaping mouth with thousands of tiny teeth.
You definitely have to turn off your tunnel vision and be mindful of your surroundings so as to not accidentally touch or kick one of the whale sharks with your flippers.
Just as I was getting comfortable in the water, I turned around to see 2-3 more whale sharks in close proximity. It’s prohibited to touch the whale sharks so it is important to be extra cautious on every dive.
After a few minutes in the water, your guide will pull you back towards the boat. After that, the tour group will take turns jumping in the water.
The number of times you get to jump will depend on the group size, but we got to jump 3 times each. On our last jump, we got to swim along a giant manta ray as well. ¡Que padre!
Stop 3: Isla Mujeres Playa Norte
After the excitement and exhilaration of swimming alongside the whale sharks, you’ll head closer to the shore of Isla Mujeres and anchor at Playa Norte, which is one of the best beaches in Riviera Maya.
Once there, you’ll get to relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch of freshly made ceviche, guacamole, and cold beverages.
Our group had a lot of fun laughing and joking about our whale shark encounters–it will get your adrenaline pumping!
Stop 4: Punta Sam Marina Cancun
After about an hour at Playa Norte, you’ll head back on the boat to the Punta Sam Marina in Cancun.
After getting off the boat, your ground transportation will be waiting to take you back to Playa del Carmen.
Don’t forget to tip your tour guides before you leave!
What to Wear on the Playa del Carmen Whale Sharks Tour
Here’s what I recommend wearing on the whale shark excursion from Playa del Carmen:
- One-Piece Swimsuit: For most of the tour you will be in the water so you’ll definitely need to wear a swimsuit. I always prefer to wear a one-piece swimsuit when going on snorkeling tours since they provide more coverage and less hassle with the life vests and snorkeling equipment.
- Swimsuit coverup: Wear a coverup or shorts and a tank top over your swimsuit to be comfortable on the car ride to Cancun.
- Waterproof sandals or flip flops: Wear comfortable sandals or flip flops that you don’t mind getting wet. You’ll remove them as soon as you get on the boat.
- Sun Hat: If you want to bring a hat, make sure to wear one with a wind lanyard or that fits securely on your head as it can easily blow off when you’re traveling by boat.
What to Bring on the Playa del Carmen Whale Shark Tour
Here are a few essential items I would recommend bringing on Playa del Carmen whale shark tours:
- Biodegradable Sunscreen: Be sure to wear biodegradable sunscreen as regular sunscreen is prohibited on the tour as it is damaging to the coral reefs and marine eco-systems.
- Beach Towel: You’ll definitely want to bring a towel to dry off after snorkeling. These microfiber beach towels are great as they are lightweight and dry quickly.
- GoPro or waterproof camera: Be sure to bring a GoPro (or the less expensive AKASO Brave) waterproof camera to capture your whale shark experience. And be sure to bring a floating hand grip, as well as backup batteries. I was using my GoPro so much that my batteries drained pretty quickly!
- Rash Guard: It’s also a good idea to bring a rash guard which provides sun protection without the need for sunscreen. And it’s actually better for the environment if you don’t wear any sunscreen at all.
- Change of Clothes: Definitely bring a change of clothes to change into after the tour so you’re not stuck in a wet swimsuit for the return trip back to Playa del Carmen.
- Cash for tips: I would also recommend bringing some extra cash to tip the tour guides at the end of the tour. This is something I often forget and then feel terrible at the end of an amazing tour experience.
✅ GoPro
Is the Whale Shark Tour Worth It?
Yes, the whale shark tour is definitely worth it! While it’s one of the more expensive things to do in Riviera Maya, it offers a once in a lifetime experience to swim alongside these giant creatures in their natural habitat.
The Riviera Maya whale sharks tour is well-organized and all transportation and meals are included so you don’t have to worry about getting to Isla Mujeres on your own.
Plus, the guides are exceptional and will make sure you’re having a safe and enjoyable time. And since it’s a small group tour that’s capped at 10 people, you’ll have a more personalized experience.
Playa del Carmen Whale Shark Tour: FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about swimming with whale sharks in Playa del Carmen:
Yes, it is okay to swim with whale sharks as long as you do so safely and responsibly. It’s important to go with a reputable tour provider that will ensure you’re following the rules and not disrupting the whale sharks.
Yes, you can swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, Socorro Island, and La Paz. On Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the most popular place to swim with whale sharks is in Isla Mujeres.
When visiting Cancun, you can swim with whale sharks just off the coast of Isla Mujeres.
The whale sharks arrive in Isla Mujeres every year from May–September.
You can go swimming with whale sharks in Mexico in Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, Socorro Island, and La Paz.
Aside from Mexico, you can also swim with whale sharks in Belize, the Philippines, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Australia.
Isla Holbox whale shark tours will take you by boat to Isla Mujeres, so it’s best just to book an Isla Mujeres whale sharks tour with much less travel time.
Conclusion: Swimming with Whale Sharks from Playa del Carmen Guide
So what do you think? Are you ready to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres Mexico?
I had an incredible experience on this whale shark tour from Playa del Carmen and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime snorkeling experience!
This is one of the top things to do in Isla Mujeres and shouldn’t be missed if you’re up for an adrenaline-pumping water excursion.
Just remember that whale shark season in Isla Mujeres is from May–September and since it’s an exclusive experience tours can book up quickly!
