Where to see and swim with whale sharks in Mexico?

The giant of the seas, as the whale shark is known, is harmless to humans, but due to its size, beauty and how little we know about them compared to other species, it is fascinating for researchers and lovers of the sea.

Swimming with whale sharks in Mexico is a natural gift that everyone can enjoy and that will become the best encounter experience you can have with marine life.

The places where you can see whale sharks in Mexico are also areas cared for by inhabitants and authorities, so here we give you some tips on where to reserve to see and swim with whale sharks with respect and care for nature.

Enjoy the whale shark sighting season with your  friends and your partner

With the arrival of the warmest time of the year, the season of whale shark sightings in Mexico also begins and the possibility of living an incredible experience with them.

The ideal season for sightings is precisely between May and September. Although they usually arrive in the north of the country some time later.

Whale sharks are mainly found in warm waters, of the tropical and subtropical category, being the area from western Australia and Indonesia to Belize where they have been seen the most.

But the Mexican Caribbean is one of its favorite places and it gives you the plus of being able to spend a mini vacation or fabulous adventures on its beaches, archaeological sites, parks for extreme sports, etc.

4 Incredible Places to Swim with Whale Sharks in Mexico

In Mexico, approximately 20% of the whale sharks that reach the beaches do so in the Gulf of California, between the bays of Los Angeles and La Paz.

Young whales remain within the Gulf of California where it is easier to get food and possibly protect themselves from predation.

Adults travel to the south of the country and the Caribbean and pregnant females usually leave the beaches of Mexico although, in general, all whale sharks return even several consecutive years later to these and nearby areas.

Research funded by  National Geographic Society confirmed that in a city to the northeast of the Yucatan peninsula and surrounding areas, hundreds of this species gather and close to 800 whale sharks have been sighted.

For all the charms that this part of the country has, we have put the cities that are home to these marine giants at the top of the list.

Holbox 

Perhaps one of the best known natural attractions of Holbox is precisely the marine life that can be seen around it and natural effects such as bioluminescence.

From this island you can board a boat that will take you to the area where the sharks are found and live with them in the water carefully and with the help of a guide.

Normally the tour includes: snorkeling equipment, drinks on board and guide. 

Playa Mujeres 

 This is one of the most beautiful areas of the Mexican Caribbean, surrounded by tourist centers of all kinds where you can do other activities and where you can swim with sharks near Cancun.

In addition, there are 2 versions of the tour to swim with whale sharks, where one also includes the experience of interacting with dolphins.

This tour includes roundtrip transfer from your hotel to the pier, breakfast, non-alcoholic drinks, coexistence in the sea with the whale shark, guide, life jacket and snorkel. 

Ensenada 

Both this venues and the next are located in the north of the country and here you will find the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the calm of the waters of its bays to relax. It is right in the Bahía de los Ángeles, in the area of ​​Canales de Ballenas y Salsipuedes where you can enjoy seeing and swimming with whale sharks. Almost 200 specimens have been counted.

This temporary migration of the species is so well known that you only need to get to the bay area to find several tour offers that usually include the transfer from the beach to the swimming area, a guide and all the necessary equipment for your safety. 

La Paz 

La Paz in Baja California is probably the first place in Mexico that this enormous species arrives on its way through the country's coasts, although it usually has fewer specimens sighted in this area. 

Tours for this reason are not always successful in obtaining a swimming experience but one of the advantages is that there are many possibilities to do it just by reaching the beach. 

What you need to swim with whale sharks without disturbing the natural balance

• Do not touch them. It is important that they do not feel threatened, remember that they are in their habitat and it is like going home. According to what your guide says, keep a minimum distance of two meters.
• We recommend that you have biodegradable sunscreen on before boarding the boat and do not use any type of chemical on your skin or hair. 
• Go with certified guides and with companies or places that have rescue equipment in case of any inconvenience. Whale sharks are harmless but it is important that you are well protected against any unforeseen events. 

Do not wait any longer to live this incredible experience, swimming with this species is an unparalleled adventure that you will not want to miss.