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If you’re looking for a bucket list experience in Cancun, I can’t think of anything better than swimming with whale sharks!
The tropical waters around the Riviera Maya area of Mexico are home to an abundance of whale sharks, making Cancun the perfect place to observe and swim with these majestic creatures safely. We are lucky to have done this a few times now and can’t recommend it enough!
To swim with whale sharks here, you’ll need to take a tour, and there is no shortage of options available, but not all whale shark tours are created equal. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best whale shark tours in Cancun so that you don’t waste your time or money!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this small-group whale shark snorkeling experience! It includes multiple swim stops, a light breakfast, all your snorkeling gear, and a delicious lunch at Isla Mujeres. Plus, there’s even a photographer on board to capture all those unforgettable moments!
Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book your spot here!
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- The Best Whale Shark Tours in Cancun
- About Whale Sharks
- How far in advance should you book a Whale Shark tour?
- Is swimming with whale sharks in Cancun worth it?
- Other Activities to do While You’re in Cancun
- Where to Stay in Cancun
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in Mexico
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
The Best Whale Shark Tours in Cancun
1. Small-Group Whale Shark Tour with a Biologist
- Duration: 7 hours
- Time: Around 6 am (confirm with tour operator)
- Highlights: Swim alongside the world’s largest fish, learn from a biologist guide, and enjoy lunch on the boat
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, biologist guide, lunch, water/soft drinks, snorkelling equipment
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 860+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
We love that this eco-friendly, small group tour is limited to just 10 people, giving you a more personalized experience with plenty of space to swim and observe the whale sharks without feeling crowded.
Your full-day adventure begins in Cancun, where you’ll board a boat and head out into the open sea in search of these gentle giants. One of the highlights for us was having a biologist on board—our guide, Omar, was amazing! He knew exactly where to find the whale sharks and shared tons of fascinating info throughout the day.
You’ll get at least two jumps in the water (and possibly more, depending on the conditions), giving you multiple chances to swim alongside these incredible creatures. While sightings aren’t 100% guaranteed, the multiple jumps really boost your odds!
The tour also includes transportation from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya. You’ll enjoy a tasty lunch onboard with beautiful views of Isla Mujeres—and with hundreds of 5-star reviews, we’re clearly not the only ones who loved it!
Just don’t forget to bring some cash for the dock fee ($20 USD per person), biodegradable sunscreen, seasick meds if needed, and of course, your sense of adventure!
Don’t miss out, book your spot on this popular tour here before it sells out!
Related Read: If you are staying in Tulum, check out our favorite whale shark tours that depart from Tulum, too!
2. All-Inclusive Whale Shark Tour from Cancun
- Duration: 6 to 10 hours
- Time: Around 6 am (confirm with tour operator)
- Highlights: Cruise along Isla Blanca’s stunning coastline, swim with whale sharks and other marine creatures, and soak up the sun on Isla Mujeres
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, professional guide, lunch, water/soft drinks, snorkelling equipment
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 740+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
This whale shark tour is safe, efficient, and perfect if you’re after a stress-free day out on the water! It includes a picnic breakfast, snacks, soft drinks, and a delicious ceviche lunch at Isla Mujeres—truly an all-inclusive experience where you don’t have to worry about a thing.
We did this tour on our last trip to Cancun and can’t recommend it enough. The day began with fresh coffee and a light breakfast before heading out on the boat. After about an hour, our guide spotted the first whale shark, and we jumped right in! These gentle giants swim slowly, so it was surprisingly easy to keep pace and swim alongside them—talk about a bucket-list moment!
What really impressed us was how efficiently the guides used real-time coordinates to track the whale sharks. Instead of cruising aimlessly, they knew exactly where to go, which meant more time in the water. We ended up seeing several whale sharks, plus dolphins, colorful fish, and even a manta ray!
With a maximum of only 10 people, the boat felt spacious and uncrowded—no snorkeling through crowds here. A photographer was also onboard capturing the experience, and the photos turned out amazing (as you can see above!). Just be sure to book early—this one sells out fast!
Read all of the 5-star reviews and check availability here!
3. Private Eco-friendly Whale shark Tour
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 6 am
- Highlights: Snorkel with whale sharks alongside a naturalist guide, skip the crowds on this private adventure, learn about these magnificent animals from your guide
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, naturalist guide, lunch, water/soft drinks, snorkelling equipment
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check out the great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
- Price: Check price here!
Don’t get me wrong, we love group tours, but sometimes it’s nice to go off on your own for more of a VIP experience. When swimming with whale sharks, there is nothing worse than having to swim around other tourists, especially since large numbers of people could potentially scare the whale sharks away. This is why we love this private tour option!
This full-day tour will take your group out on a completely personalized adventure to swim with the whale sharks. You’ll be guided by a biologist who will give you a brief introduction to whale sharks, their habitats, and their behavior. And since it’s only your group on board, you will have more time in the water with the whale sharks, which is a huge bonus!
The price varies depending on your group size (maximum of 10 people), but it includes round-trip hotel transfers, your guide, lunch, and all snorkeling gear—making it a great value for a private tour!
Check the availability for this private whale shark tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Whale Sharks and Isla Mujeres Beach Tour
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Time: Around 6:30 am
- Highlights: Get 2 to 3 chances to jump in the water with whale sharks, enjoy lunch and free time on Playa Norte beach in Isla Mujeres
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, professional guide, light breakfast, lunch, snacks, water/soft drinks, snorkelling equipment
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 370+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
This fantastic whale shark tour offers premium snorkeling equipment, breakfast and lunch, and a visit to Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, which is generally considered to be the island’s best beach – does it get any better than that?
Our friends did this tour recently and had only great things to say about the experience (check out all of the reviews here)! They had such a fun captain who knew exactly where to go to find the whale sharks, and they ended up seeing close to 20 whale sharks from the boat and in the water!
We love that this tour allows you to jump in the water 2-3 times throughout the day, which really increases your chances of swimming with whale sharks (and some other great marine life too if you’re lucky!). At the end of the tour, you’ll get to relax on Playa Norte, one of the Yucatan’s nicest beaches, while enjoying a ceviche lunch.
It’s the perfect combo of thrilling marine adventure and laid-back beach time. Just bring $20 USD in cash for the dock fee, and you’re set for an unforgettable day!
See if this tour is still available and secure your spot here!
About Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are gentle giants, and they can’t bite – they’re actually very large filter-feeding fish that swim slowly and peacefully at around 3 miles (5 kilometers) per hour. This means that it’s super safe and easy to swim alongside them. They also have remarkably long lives, living up to 150 years!
On average, whale sharks grow to be between 5.5-10 meters (18 – 33 feet) long and weigh around 18 metric tonnes, making them the world’s largest fish. Their backs are covered in a mosaic pattern of white spots and stripes, which are unique to each individual, kind of like a fingerprint!
Whale sharks are also sadly endangered, with a global population that’s thought to be between 200,000-240,000. This makes Cancun special as it is one of the remaining spots where you can see them in the wild. For this reason, it’s important to protect them by choosing an environmentally-friendly tour operator (such as the ones we listed above) and respecting the rules when you’re in the water.
How far in advance should you book a Whale Shark tour?
Cancun gets pretty busy during the summer months, which is when whale shark season is from May to September. During this time, swimming with whale sharks is a very popular activity, so we highly recommend booking at least a few days in advance to ensure you get a spot on one of the great tours we listed above.
The great thing about booking through Viator is that you can change your booking up to 24 hours before most tours, so if your plans do change, you can always select another date. You can also cancel and get a full refund!
Is swimming with whale sharks in Cancun worth it?
Yes, totally!
Whale sharks are amazing, beautiful creatures, and the chance to swim alongside them is really too good to pass up while you’re in Cancun. A whale shark tour is also a great way to explore the Caribbean Sea and visit the beautiful Isla Mujeres.
So if you’re looking for a unique experience while you’re in Cancun, swimming with whale sharks should be at the top of your list of things to do!
Learn more about our favorite whale shark tour in Cancun and check availability here!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Cancun
If you’re staying in Cancun, there are so many fun things to see and do in Cancun! I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and I never get tired of visiting. So if you’re looking for some activities, check out some of my favorites below!
- Tour an underwater museum – Whether you’re snorkeling or scuba diving in Cancun, a visit to MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art) is a must. There are hundreds of sculptures down here, and it feels like visiting the Lost City of Atlantis! This snorkeling tour takes you to MUSA along with visits to a shipwreck and a cenote!
- Visit Chichen Itza – Chichen Itza is one of the most famous Mayan ruins in Mexico, if not the world! Luckily, it’s pretty easy to visit on a day trip from Cancun. We took this tour of the ruins that included a guide, a stop at a cenote, and lunch, and we can’t recommend it enough!
- ATV through the jungle – Looking for a dose of adrenaline in Cancun? This jungle adventure tour has it all—ATV rides through muddy trails, soaring ziplines, and a refreshing swim in a crystal-clear cenote. It’s the perfect half-day activity for anyone wanting to add some action to their beach vacation!
- Eat, eat eat! – Calories don’t count on vacation, right? The restaurants in Cancun deliver on amazing food – and there are so many options! If you want to try a bunch of different dishes in an evening, I say go for a taco tour in Cancun. My pick is this taco and beer food tour will take you to five popular spots for a fun night you’ll want to arrive hungry for!
- Go ziplining – If you love an adrenaline rush like us, Cancun has awesome ziplining opportunities. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like flying high above the Mayan jungle! So check out this ziplining tour, which includes a 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) long ride!
Where to Stay in Cancun
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is the best place to stay if you want to be close to the beach, restaurants, nightlife, and tours. To help you find the best base for your trip, we’ve picked the top hotels for every budget below—from luxury all-inclusives to fun, affordable stays. You can also check out our full guide to the best Cancun resorts here!
Luxury – $$$
Of course, we all love a luxury all-inclusive stay, and for that, I love the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun. It has an incredible spa, a huge outdoor pool, watersports, a gym, beach access, and a kids club. They also offer 6 fine-dining options, and guests are constantly impressed with the food. This is the ideal option for anyone after a bit of luxury in paradise!
Prices usually start around $600 USD per night. You can check out their room options and reserve one online here!
Mid-range – $$
The JW Marriott Cancun Resort is one of our favorite mid-range hotels. It’s not all-inclusive, which I actually enjoy because there are so many delicious restaurants in Cancun! The hotel is located right on the beach, has 3 swimming pools, and a Mayan-inspired spa – does it get any better than that?
Rooms usually start around $300 USD per night, depending on the time of year. You can check prices and book the JW Marriott Cancun Resort right here.
Budget – $
For budget travelers, the Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone is a great choice. Located right in the hotel zone, this hotel has everything you need for a great holiday, such as a pool, spa, restaurant, bar, fitness center, and even nightly entertainment. It also has tons of room categories with everything from full apartments to dorm beds.
For the price (about $40 USD for a bunk or $100 USD for a private room) and fun atmosphere, you can’t go wrong! You can book the Selina Cancun Hostel here through Booking.com.
Renting a Car in Mexico
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to get around Mexico is in a rental car.
I struggled to get around by bus and taxi for the longest time. But after renting a car in Cancun in 2023, I never looked back. It allowed me to explore the country without worrying about tours or taxis. It was why I fell in love with Mexico and eventually decided to live here periodically.
I refuse to use local services whenever I rent a car in Mexico. The truth is they sometimes can’t be trusted or come with hidden fees (or costly insurance that doesn’t make sense.) There are even rental car scams! So instead, I use Discover Cars, the company most experienced travelers or ex-pats in Mexico recommend. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
The rates on Discover Cars are cheap, too, with the average rental costing around $25 USD per day. Full coverage insurance can be added for an extra $10 USD a day too.
Driving in Mexico also only requires a driver’s license using the Roman alphabet. If yours uses another like Japan and China, you simply need an international driving permit.
Insurance is required, but if you book with Discover Cars and get the full coverage, that’s all you need! Oh, and being over 18 is required, and if you’re over 25, your rental will be much cheaper!
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We’ve tested a bunch of eSIMs over the years, and after a few frustrating experiences, we’ve found our favorite — Airalo. It’s fast, reliable, and incredibly easy to use. You can set it up in minutes (even my mom managed it solo on her first try!), and the prices are some of the best out there.
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Thanks for reading!
Hopefully, this blog has helped you find the right whale shark tour for you and has helped you prepare for what surely will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life!
We have a ton of other blogs about Mexico to help plan your trip, including a couple of related reads below:
Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza
12 Things to KNOW Before Going Scuba Diving in Cancun