Whale Shark Tours from Cancún: The 6 Best Boats

1.Whale Shark Adventure in Isla Mujeres and Cancun

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 951 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $155Our pick

Head from Isla Mujeres or Cancun into the Caribbean Sea to find whale sharks from May through September. Felipe, Lolo, and other certified guides help two people at a time enter the water safely. The trip includes gear, snacks, lunch, drinks, and a small group capped at 10 people.

“Outstanding!!! A bucket list experience in a beautiful location. Wonderful crew with Felipe and Lolo. Those guys couldn’t have been better. We were very fortunate on our trip out to the whale shark location. There were dozens of them out there. My wife and I had two dives and each encounter was right up close with these magnificent creatures. Words don’t do it justice! I can’t guarantee that you’ll see the same amount of whale sharks we did, but you’ll be in the care of two guys who will do their very best to give you a great experience. BTW the ceviche is fantastic! I’m not normally a fish guy,…”

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2.Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 929 reviews · 6 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $199

Set out early with a bilingual guide such as Dory, Pia, Diego, or Pepe, then ride a speedboat to whale shark waters. Swim in pairs, snorkel near Isla Mujeres, and finish with ceviche, guacamole, and warm water at Playa Norte. Hotel pickup is included, but expect a $20 government fee and optional wetsuit rental.

“Our tour was amazing! Fresh ceviche, yummy drinks, amazing views, once in a lifetime experiences, this made this excursion 10/10 alone. The service on top of everything made this experience ♾️/10!! Our guide Alex was so sweet and cool. The gentleman in the car that picked us up was also a great guide! He gave us so much interesting information about the wildlife. Overall, everyone took care of us like we were family. I am heavily impressed with everything. I’m 1000% recommending this tour to friends and family and if I come back to Cancun, I will do this tour again when it’s in season. Thank you guys so much!”

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3.Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 916 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160

Join a bilingual naturalist such as Naara, Arturo, or Victor for a whale shark trip from Cancun and Riviera Maya. Expect hotel transport, a boat ride, brief water sessions in pairs, lunch near Playa Norte, and a $20 cash environmental and dock fee.

“They take amazing care of you. We got to swim with two different whale sharks and then an amazing 15 minute snorkel adventure around the coral reef. An excellent snack is included. The guys are friendly and will pick you up at your hotel as well. It was a day my wife and I will always remember! These creatures are magnificent and it was a privilege to share the water with them.”

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4.Whale Shark Swimming and Isla Mujeres Beach Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 399 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $210

Leave Cancun before breakfast for a boat trip to the protected whale shark area. You swim in pairs with a guide, usually two or three times, then stop at Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte for ceviche and beach time. Guides such as Herbert, Angel, Manuel, and Xavier have earned special praise.

“This was an amazing trip and totally worth the money. If you do one thing while in Mexico this is it. Pros- whales sharks are awesome and are not going to hurt you. Snorkel gear is included. Able to purchase photos and videos from the shore but you are also able to take your own. Everyone gets time in the water which is fair but would be better to have longer. Cons- lunch is provided but they don’t cater well - ham sandwich You have to wear a life jacket or pay $15 to wear a wet suit as they state you need to have some buoyancy. Take sea sickness…”

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5.Swim with Whale Sharks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 380 reviews · 7 - 7.5 hours · from $160

Join EcoColors Tours for a May to September boat trip from Puerto Juárez to the whale shark reserve near Isla Contoy. Guides such as Omar, Arturo, Naara, and Mo lead small groups of up to 10, with snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a swim near Isla Mujeres.

“The experience was amazing, seeing and being able to swim with such beautiful creatures is just incredible. Naara, Daniel and Jonathan were amazing guides.”

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6.Cancun Whale Shark Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 172 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $210

From Punta Sam, you’ll take a half-day shared boat trip to swim near whale sharks under strict marine-life rules, then visit Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres. Expect hotel pickup, breakfast, snorkeling gear, ceviche, drinks, and bilingual guides such as Geovanny, Dorian, or Manuel, depending on the departure.

“This is nature, and there is no guarantee. I went on the whale shark tour on Monday, but we did not succeed in getting a chance to swim with the sharks. We got close, but nature was not cooperating. At least we got to have lunch at a beautiful beach with warm, turquoise water. Contoy and Viator helped me rebook the tour for another try to see these amazing creatures, and I was not disappointed. I really appreciated that Contoy stuck to the rules set up to protect these whale sharks (limits on sunscreen use, only two swimmers allowed in the water with the guide at a time, only short…”

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