Enjoy the Whale Shark season in Isla Mujeres. 

The best time to vacation in Isla Mujeres is here! With the arrival of summer, the beautiful seas of this destination become home to a natural spectacle that year after year surprises national and international tourists, the arrival of the Whale Shark.  

If you are one of those people who have not yet seen this species or those who want to repeat this experience, this blog is for you, discover everything you can do during the Whale Shark season! 

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Learn all about the Whale Shark season in Isla Mujeres.  

Summer is one of the best seasons to enjoy the warmth of the Mexican Caribbean and our friend, the whale shark, knows it! 

From mid-May to September, these mammals park in the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea, specifically off the coasts of Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres, and Holbox, thanks to the season’s favorable weather conditions for feeding.  

It is estimated that the peak months of this species in the Caribbean are during the months of June-August, reaching around 60 specimens in the area. 

Whale Shark Festival in the Riviera Maya.  

On the occasion of the arrival of this giant of the sea to the Caribbean waters, the Riviera Maya and Isla Mujeres dress up to celebrate the already international Whale Shark Festival, a celebration that highlights the beauty of this great species and in which activities are carried out to promote the care of its habitat and its preservation.  

The festival takes place between June and July, and throughout the week you can enjoy spectacular street parties, recreational activities during the day, water sports competitions and exhibitions, art galleries on the beaches, tasting typical food of the region, and of course, swimming tours with whale sharks. 

Live the experience of swimming with whale sharks!  

Now, we have arrived to what we have been waiting for… The whale shark swim tours!   

The best season to do this aquatic activity is between July and August, since it is the midpoint of the whale shark arrival season and it is very easy to find them in the ocean.   

Throughout the Riviera Maya and Isla Mujeres you can find several tour companies specialized in offering whale shark swims. In addition, these usually come with food services and safety equipment for the tour.  

Something we must highlight about this magical experience is that it is completely harmless to swim with whale sharks. In fact, this marine species is considered one of the most docile and friendly to humans, although it is our duty as tourists not to disturb them during the trip to avoid scaring them or making them feel aggrieved.  

How much does it cost to swim with whale sharks?  

The prices to enjoy these tours vary depending on the company you contact to purchase your tour, but normally the price per adult person is around 135 (2,752 MXN) and 140 USD (2,854 MXN).   

A small travel tip is that if you have an official ID from the State of Quintana Roo, ask if the company has a special price for locals to save a few pesos. 

Here are some recommendations to enjoy this natural spectacle.  

Something we must take into account is that when hiring any whale shark swimming tour and going to the area where they are concentrated, we are in a way “invading” their habitat, so it is important to follow a series of recommendations to preserve this species and not put their life and yours at risk.  

• Avoid taking pictures with flash.  
• Make sudden movements underwater. These may frighten the shark or activate its sense of defense. 
• When you enter the water, do it slowly and in a controlled manner.   
• Do not touch the whale shark under any circumstances, as we could contaminate its skin.  
• Do not feed the shark with any kind of food. Its diet is based on plankton, any other agent could harm this species.  
• For your safety, keep a distance of at least 2 meters from the whale shark.   

You already know it! Put these tips into action when you visit this attraction and become a traveler guardian of the Whale Shark.   

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Beló Isla Mujeres, an oasis in the Caribbean. 

At Hotel Beló Isla Mujeres you can find the rest you need after a great day of adventures in Isla Mujeres. Enjoy your stay in a Mexican paradise with us, book now!