Whale Shark Tours from Cancún: The 15 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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7.Swim with Whale Shark from Isla Mujeres and Cancun

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 52 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $161

Meet in central Isla Mujeres for breakfast, then take a small boat toward whale sharks with guides such as Carlos, Willy, Toño, Steve, Jonathan, and Rebecca. Swim two at a time, snorkel a coral reef, and finish with fresh ceviche at North Beach. Pickup may be available from Cancun and nearby resorts.

“My wife and I booked this while on vacation for our anniversary, and couldn’t recommend it more! It was so special to swim right next to a whale shark together. The actual experience was a few rounds of diving in two at a time and swimming for a few minutes next to the shark. Everything else was just added benefit which made the overall experience absolutely incredible.”

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8.Half-Day Snorkeling with Whale Sharks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 8 hours · from $175

From Cancún or Puerto Morelos, join a bilingual guide such as Carlos for a small-group boat trip to seasonal whale shark waters. Expect hotel transport, snacks, drinks, gear, a safety briefing, limited swim turns, and lunch at Playa Norte.

“Décevant le guide n’a fait aucun effort d’écoute et de compréhension vis à vis de nos différents demandes aux cours de la journée. La visite avec les requins baleines s’effectue pas groupe de deux personnes ce qui laisse peu de possibilités de savourer le moment. Le repas servis sur place dans le bateau et totalement irrespectueux vis à vis du prix que nous avons laissé ( servi dans un petit pots avec 3 chips et un véhicule) je déconseille fortement”

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9.Private Whale shark Ecofriendly tour from Cancun

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $895

Leave Cancun early for a private whale shark trip led by a bilingual biologist or naturalist guide. You’ll receive a marine-life briefing, snorkel with the world’s largest fish, enjoy lunch with water and soft drinks, then return by air-conditioned vehicle.

“Fantastic trip! We were lucky enough to swim twice with a magnificent whale shark; although we did jump in a third time, but I didn’t see the whale shark. :)”

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10.Whale Shark Adventure from Isla Mujeres

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · 6 hours · from $176

Join a small group of up to 10 from Isla Mujeres for a six-hour search for whale sharks from May to September. Swim near these gentle giants in open water, with snorkeling gear, a guide, drinks, sandwiches, ceviche, and dock fees included. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Treffpunkt ist bei Dock 3, nehmt vorher etwas gegen Seekrankheit auch wenn ihr damit normalerweise keine Probleme habt und lange Ärmel helfen gegen Sonnenbrand”

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11.Whale Shark & Manta Ray Snorkel -(May-Sept) Only 10pp per Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $160

Meet Aqua Adventures Eco Divers in central Isla Mujeres at 7:50 AM for a seven-hour trip with no more than 10 people. Swim beside whale sharks in pairs with a guide, then enjoy reef snorkeling, ceviche, sandwiches, cold drinks, and possible manta ray sightings.

“Through no fault of the tour, operator, or captain, there just simply weren’t any whale sharks that day. Nobody saw them, so it was kind of depressing as this was the sole reason for us going to Isla Mujeres. However, when we came up to the sandbar, the captain made homemade shrimp ceviche, which was delicious and both here And the other gentleman were very nice.”

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12.Small Group Whale Shark Encounter – 10 years in business

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $199

Join Kay Tours Mexico for an early boat trip from Cancun, with a maximum of 10 people, guides such as Adolfo, Cedric, Diego, or Nester, and the chance to snorkel beside whale sharks. Breakfast, drinks, gear, photos when conditions allow, ceviche, and Isla Mujeres time are included.

“We had a fabulous experience with Kay Tours Mexico! Diego and Captain Irving (aka, Captain Jack!) were fun and gracious tour guides. They did an excellent job of ensuring we got to swim with the Whale Sharks and a huge perk was the included videos and pictures! After swimming, we went to the beautiful Isla Mujeres where we enjoyed homemade ceviche and guacamole (YUM!) by the Captain. If you are considering swimming with Whale Sharks, we highly recommend Kay Tours Mexico.”

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13.Cancun Whale Shark Experience with Snorkel & Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · from $210

Leave Cancun early for a small-group speedboat trip toward Isla Contoy, with breakfast, two whale shark swims, reef snorkeling near Isla Mujeres, ceviche, and Playa Norte. Guides such as Juan and Captain Noah have earned praise for their care and effort. Pickup covers Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Playa del Carmen.

“Today we were very lucky, we found o er 50 Mantras and 3 Whale Sharks, to swim with such amazing fish was very special. From start to finish our guides couldnt have been more amazing. SO PROFESSIONALLY.”

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14.Private Whale Shark Tour from Cancun

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Set out from Cancun with a private boat, guide, snacks, drinks, and included snorkel gear. Swim with whale sharks, then enjoy ceviche and chicken sandwiches along Isla Mujeres. Guides Carlos and Captain Pablo have earned praise for careful, friendly service. The tour lasts about seven hours.

“This was a wonderful experience for our family. We each got in the water with the whale sharks multiple times. The extra cost of the private tour was well worth the price. If we had been in a much larger group, we would only have been able to get in the water twice at most and may not have been able to see the animals nearly as well. We got some cool video of the experience as well! Captain Pablo and Guide Carlos were informative and attentive. We accidentally left our shoes on the boat, and Pablo personally delivered them to our hotel after the tour. It was great, and…”

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15.Swim with Whale Sharks & Playa Norte Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 hours · from $199

From Cancun, a bilingual crew takes you by 36-foot boat toward Contoy Island for two or three guided water entries beside whale sharks. Afterward, stop at Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres for beach time, snorkeling, soft drinks, and ceviche. The group is limited to 10 people.

“Experiencia muy recomendable. Nosotros pudimos hacer 3 saltos y fue increíble, el capitán ubicaba la embarcación de forma que el tiburón viniera a por nosotros y la vista fue espectacular.”

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