Season: mid-June to mid-September.
Pickup: if you’re staying in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, a van picks you up at your hotel between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. (we send you the exact time the day before). If you’re staying in Cancún, meet us directly at Punta Sam at 7:45 a.m.
Check-in: at Punta Sam, go to Gena’s kiosk at the entrance. A breakfast is waiting for you (yogurt, fruit…) before departure.
At sea: about a 1 hour 30 minute boat ride to reach the whale sharks, on a boat with 10 people maximum. The time varies depending on where the animals are. With a little luck, you’ll also see manta rays.
With the whale sharks: you get in the water two at a time, with an accredited crew member. You enjoy 2 swims, sometimes 3 depending on conditions. Out of respect for the animals, you stay at least 2 meters (about 6 feet) away, and touching them is not allowed.
Isla Mujeres: after a snack on board (water and sandwiches), the boat heads to Playa Norte for 30 to 45 minutes of swimming and relaxing, while the crew prepares ceviche and guacamole.
Return around 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., at Punta Sam or at your hotel by van.
On board, the crew speaks English and Spanish. We explain everything to you before departure.
Price per person, in Mexican pesos; dollar amounts are approximate. From Playa del Carmen and Tulum, round-trip transportation from your hotel is included. From Cancún, you meet us directly at Punta Sam (no transportation).
Not included: shorty wetsuit rental (about 300 MXN, or US$16, on site); photos and videos offered by the crew (for sale).
No, it’s snorkeling (mask, snorkel and fins). You just need to know how to swim.
6 years old.
Yes, unless you wear a shorty wetsuit. The life jacket is provided free of charge. A shorty can be rented on site for about 300 MXN (US$16).
From mid-June to mid-September, when they come to feed off Cancún and Isla Mujeres.
They are wild animals: in season we almost always see them, but it’s never guaranteed. If we don’t find them, the trip is not refunded.
If the port authority closes the port, the trip is canceled and fully refunded.
Swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses and a change of clothes. Biodegradable sunscreen only.
Yes, you can bring your GoPro or waterproof camera. The crew sometimes also offers photos and videos for sale.
The boat ride takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication before you leave.
With a deposit of US$60 per person. It is refunded or moved to another date if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance, and kept otherwise. The balance is paid on site, or by card with a 5% fee.
