Throughout the season there are whale sharks in the isla contoy national biosphere reserve, but they are mostly juvenile males, 7 males to every female and much smaller in the area north of contoy island. If you liked this post and was useful, please share it with your friends and family and follow me on facebook and instagram to keep finding interesting information and to support my blog. Belize whale shark season dates seahorse dive shop. This is when the sharks are abundant in waters around cancun, isla mujeres, isla contoy, and isla holbox. When is whale shark season in cancun many tour operator will say that you can book a whale shark tour starting 15th of may 2016, but the truth is that none of the tour operators from cancun, isla mujeres, and holbox cant confirm that the mexican government will release the permissions that exact day. For that reason, if you are lucky enough to swim with whale sharks, remember to.
Cancun whale shark tours and adventure trips the best tour. Swimming with whale sharks in mexico adventurous miriam. The fish is primarily pelagic, living in the open sea but not in the greater depths of the ocean, although it is known to occasionally dive to depths of as much as 1,800 metres 5,900 ft. The official whale shark season dates are set by mrmp biosphere reserve management program and this year the dates of whale shark season are 15th of may untill 17th of september 2019. Just off the tip of mexicos yucatan peninsula is a small island untouched by mass tourism. When is whale shark season in cancun many tour operator will say that you can book a whale shark tour starting 15th of may 2016, but the truth is that none of the tour operators from cancun, isla mujeres, and holbox cant confirm that the mexican. It is important to note that swimming with whale sharks from tulum, or actually with all of the whale shark tours in mexico, is not like diving the cenotes or visiting mayan ruins. Wolf island and darwin island in the galapagos islands, ecuador. More than 400 of them were spotted feeding on spawn from the little tunny a type of tuna off the coast of isla mujeres in 2011. Unlike many other sharks, whale sharks mouths are located at the front of the head rather than on the underside of the head. The whale shark festival kicks off with a parade followed by activities for children such as sand sculpting events and crafting fun. May 01, 2017 a whale shark in mexico i looked back, and he was gone, disappearing into the blue caribbean sea, more interested in plankton than a tourist. Whale shark festival events in isla mujeres, quintana roo.
It is unquestionably the biggest shark on the planet, greater than the. Whale shark 2019 season is open till sept 15th from. Diving with whale sharks mexico isla mujeres is one of the best places to swim with whale sharks in mexico because of the planktonrich ocean waters surrounding the island. Whale shark mexico tiburon ballena mexico home facebook. There are experienced scuba divers who have done everything in the water except swimming with a whale shark. The season for whale shark in cancun is from may to september each every year. Whale shark season begins in quintana roo cozumel 4 you. We are operating in the open sea, not in an aquarium. Being quintana roos northernmost point, it is located in about 150 km 93 mi from cancun and about 20 minutes by boat from mainland mexico. May 25, 2016 whale shark migration season officially started on may 15th in quintana roo and the yucatan peninsula.
Mexico blue dream swimming with whale sharks playa del. The whale shark tourism infusion started with 9000 people in 2005 swimming with the dominoes. These beautiful creatures are considered an endangered migratory. Sep 06, 2018 whale sharks cancun 2018 season my trish advisor. Swimming with whale sharks experience with ecocolors tours. I finally took the plunge, and swam alongside these gentle giants in mexico. Peaceful isla holbox might go unnoticed entirely, except for some highprofile visitors that frequent its warm ocean waters each summer. However, the greatest concentration of whale sharks that you can find in riviera maya is between the months of july and august. Whale shark diving best places to swim with whale sharks. It typically takes from fifteen minutes to an hour, or longer, to find the gentle giants. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Whale shark migration season officially started on may 15th in quintana roo and the yucatan peninsula.
Whale shark mexico, it is a research project with more than 10 years of study, we use the knowledge to generate. Isla holbox is perhaps the most famous whale shark spot. Their distinctive patterns of paleyellow spots and stripes make them a truly beautiful sight. May 12, 2012 thousands of whale sharks migrate to mexico each year, the season starts may 15 and goes through september 15. Finally after 3 summer we went to holbox and snorkeled with this amazing whales. Whale shark dive 18 miles off the coast of isla mujeres mexico june 2018. There was no question in my mind, if we were going to be in that part of the world we had to make the plunge and swim with the oceans gentle giants. Now you may see other dates advertised, but these are dates set by tour companies. With just a few days to go before the arrival of our spotted friends the whale sharks, at underwater mexico we are more than excited to start the season and enjoy the amazing experience with these giants of.
Whale shark season is from june 1st to september 15th with july to august as peak season. Being the largest fish in the sea and with shark in their name, most. However, its more likely to have a great swim during the months of june, july, and the first weeks of august. The dates we take reservations for the whale shark tour season as set beginning june1, 2020 and the closing date of the season is september15, 2020.
Lucky, then, that there are a few destinations around the world from mexico to mozambique where in season sightings of whale sharks are almost guaranteed. During the season, expect to see at least 2030 boats in the area. Its true that the whale shark season in cancun is from may to september. For several months each year, mexico s yucatan peninsula is one of the best places to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. So, have fun, be careful and enjoy the whale shark in mexico. Mexico is one of the worlds best destinations to swim with whale sharks, as hundreds of these huge fish remain in the waters of the yucatan peninsula.
The whale shark season in belize normally begins 2 days before the full moon up until 10 days after in the months of march, april, may, and june. Confident i was once again alone, i finally brought my head above surface, surveyed the area for any sign of a silver fin jutting out of the waterthen let out a whoop of delight. Heres what you need to know about planning your whale shark adventure in mexico and the isla mujeres whale shark season. The cancun swim with whale sharks are very weather dependent, and while the port is generally open for most of the whale shark season in cancun it is good if you. Musesh comfort pillow cover, pack of 2 pillow cases,seasonal whale sharks swimming blue waters mexico mujeres 18x18inch decorative pillowcases for boys girls by musesh. May 31, 2018 a docile giant of the seas arrives at the beautiful waters of holbox island, in search of its favorite food. Whale sharks tours on isla mujeres mexico frequently asked. The isla mujeres whale shark season reefs to rockies. In fact, they photograph so well, weve made them the star of our mexico webad dedicated to the nature of mexico, which can be viewed. Also north along the yucatan is the yum balam reserve, this area is known as the green water, it is planktonrich water from the gulf of mexico, where the. Boats from playa del carmen, cancun, and isla mujeres travel the hour distance on a daily basis so that tourists can snorkel with these animals.
The whale shark daddy tour company, whom i found online, pi cked us up. By joining us for one of our research trips participants get the opportunity to. To have an excellent chance of seeing whales, visit baja between the. Whale shark tours when was the last time you did something for the first time. The best season to swim with the whale shark in holbox. The whale shark is the largest fish that exists in the world today, it can grow up to 15 meters in length. For the less intrepid, whale shark diving can also be enjoyed in a more controlled environment at places such as the georgia aquarium. A celebration of the environmental splendor of isla mujeres while championing the need to preserve a fragile marine.
Apr, 2015 4 responses to 6 things to know this whale shark season cheryl cogswell april 18th, 2015. But swimming with whale sharks is a totally different experience. From may to september, whale sharks supply a significant tourist attraction for mexico. You are invited to whale shark festival, one of the best mexican events in 2020. The waters off mexico s yucatan peninsula were the site of the largest gathering of whale sharks ever recorded. Cancun whale shark tours and adventure trips the best. Ive swam with regular sharks before the kind that occasionally dine on humans.
Whale sharks tours on isla mujeres mexico frequently. Also, be aware of the whale shark season in cancun to avoid getting ripped off. Mexico has two separate destinations where it is possible to swim with whale sharks. The first is off the yucatan peninsula and, more specifically, the waters around cancun, isla mujeres, and isla holbox. Whether you have heard about the wonders of swimming with whale sharks in mexico and you dream of this possibility, you are an adventurer looking for new sensations, or a nature lover, a whale shark tour could be the adventure of a life time. Cancun whale shark tours, operated by roddrigo the whale shark daddy, is focused on reputation, high quality and experience. Whale shark tours playa del carmen everything you need to know. Fortunately, cancun was not only the perfect layover on my way to a blue osa yoga retreat in costa rica, but it was shark season too. I knew that mexico was a prime location for swimming with whale sharks specifically the caribbean sea side where me and my mum were heading for a two week holiday in july 2016.
The whale shark, found off southern baja california, grows up to 50 feet long. Mexico whale shark tour company is highly recommended. Whales and whale sharks are returning to mexicos pacific. Best times for swimming with whale sharks essential. Essential information for your whale shark dive when are the best times to swim with whale sharks. Hello, the season will start on may 17th, it is impossible to start earlier has nobody has permits, the whale sharks are never here before the end of april anyway best regards. And if you are thinking of coming outside of peak season, the whale sharks usually arrive in early march and hang around exmouth until that the whale sharks usually hang around well into. The season of the whale sharks in the yucatan peninsula begins from midmay and ends close to the mid of september. Mar 18, 2018 the whale shark, found off southern baja california, grows up to 50 feet long. Because most scuba divers are restricted to a certain time for their vacation, this article intends to introduce a few options for your whale shark adventures. Other than isla mujeres, you can snorkel, dive or go swimming with whale sharks in belize, honduras, thailand, australia, philippines, mozambique, seychelles and maldives. Swimming with whale sharks is a bucket list experience for adventure travelers around the world.
In addition, since 2000, august the 30th was established as the international whale shark day, in order to promote knowledge and conservation of this species. The good news is that the likelihood of swimming with a whale shark on your first tour is around 95% success rate from very late march to late july each year. Swimming with whale sharks in mexicos yucatan peninsula. Take a look at my experience swimming with the whale shark in cancun. Other tour operators may accept tours outside these dates, but only take tours inside official tour dates and when we are confident in our ability to provide a memoriable tour without distressing. It is unquestionably the biggest shark on the planet, greater than the great white and bigger than the hammerhead. Off isla mujeres, these normally solitary creatures socialize in groups ranging from a few into the hundreds. We have 100% availability throughout the season between may 17 th to september 17 th no matter what place you are staying at, we provide the best service of snorkeling and swimming with the whale sharks tour in mexico from cancun, playa del carmen, riviera maya, cozumel, tulum, akumal, holbox island and isla mujeres.
Response from victor l, gerente at mexico whale shark responded 18 jan 2020 hello, the season will start on may 17th, it is impossible to start earlier has nobody has permits, the whale sharks are never here before the end of april anyway best regards. Whale sharks season similan islands ask any diver what is on their bucket list of things to see underwater, and in all likelihood the majestic whale shark will be top choice for almost every diver. From midmay through september hundreds of whale sharks gather in the waters near isla mujeres, with peak season in july and august. There are many destinations around the world to swim and dive with whale sharks, so we wanted to provide you with a handy guide with the best places for every month of the year.
Whale sharks, or rhincodon typus as they are known in latin, typically arrive at the areas near holbox and isla mujeres from may september every year to feed off the planktonrich waters. The whale shark prefers the warm surface water in areas where there are upwellings of cold water rich in nutrients, like the ones between isla mujeres and holbox island in summer time, since these conditions. After whale shark season comes to an end in cancun, the season starts in southern baja. Ningaloo whalesharks operate whale shark tours from the 15th march to the end of september each year, which covers the entire ningaloo whale shark season in exmouth, and we consistently have swum with whale sharks most years at these times. Apr 23, 2019 when is whale shark season mexico 2019. You can stay in holbox for a few days to enjoy its amazing marine light or take a oneday tour from cancun or isla mujeres. Other whale shark destinations in the world offer whale shark tours that employ planes to spot the animals and offer guarantees that youll see one whale shark during a multiple day search. Jun 10, 2018 whale shark dive 18 miles off the coast of isla mujeres mexico june 2018. Take advantage of cancun whale shark season 2018 and get to swim just centimeters away from the gentle giant of the ocean with the allinclusive whale shark tour cancun. Come explore the incredible world of the whale shark and enjoy the experience of a lifetime with the whale shark discovery. Just off the tip of mexico s yucatan peninsula is a small island untouched by mass tourism. Swimming with whale sharks is an underwater adventure ive wanted to try for years.
The whale shark inhabits all tropical and warmtemperate seas. This beautiful and utterly enormous creature attracts divers like the proverbial moth to a flame for several reasons. However, the best sightings normally begin a few days after the full moon, this is normally when we get the best sightings. Swimming alongside the largest fish in the sea is one of the ultimate bucketlist experiences. Continuously operating since 2004, we are committed to providing the very best service to all adventure seekers in cancun, playa del carmen, tulum, isla mujeres and all of riviera maya. From punta sam, take an hourlong scenic boat ride to the area where the whale sharks, the worlds largest fish, like to hang out and feed. Across in the west, the whale shark season off the baja peninsula runs slightly later from october to february.
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