While visiting the Riviera Maya, guests from around the world are always looking for new and exciting adventures to partake in while enjoying their vacation. What better excursion than to go swimming in the Caribbean Sea with the largest fish in the ocean? Yes, we are talking about Whale Sharks, and you can witness these beautiful creatures during your next getaway.
About Whale Sharks
While it is in their name, Whale Sharks are not a species of whale; they are, in fact, sharks. They get their name from their great size! There is so much to learn about Whale Sharks, so here are some different facts about them:
Size & Description
Whale sharks are humongous creatures that can grow up to 40 ft or 12 meters long. They can also weigh more than 5000 lbs (2,268 kg). These beautiful fish have flattened heads and a blunt nose above its mouth. Their backs and sides range from a gray to brown color, with a pattern of spots and pale stripes running along the body.
Did you know that a whale shark’s mouth is about 5ft wide and has rows of over 300 teeth? Though they have so many teeth, as they are filter feeders, they do not use their teeth to eat.
Habitat
Whale sharks like the warm water, and that is why they can be found in the Caribbean and Riviera Maya. The warmer the water is, the more whale sharks you will be able to find. Sometimes they can be found in colder waters such as those near New York, but it is highly unlikely.
Diet
Unlike other sharks, these ones don’t attack and tear their prey. They are carnivores, but they are filter feeders, which means they open up their mouths and allow for the water to fill their bodies. They then filter out the food and release water and debris back into the ocean. So when you go swimming with them, you won’t have to worry about them being hostile towards you. They are known as the ocean’s gentle giants.
Whale Shark Offspring
The way whale sharks are born is one of the most fascinating things about them. The female whale sharks produce eggs, but instead of laying them like other fish eggs, they hatch within the body. After the eggs have hatched, the females give birth to over 300 offspring. Each whale shark can live a very long life, even between 100 and 150 years old.
Migration Patterns
Whale sharks like to stay isolated and always on the move. While they prefer warm temperatures, they are always in search of plankton, their food of choice! As they swim through the depths of the ocean in search of more food, they are always staying in water temperatures between 21°C to 25°C.
During the summer, Whale Sharks travel to areas in the Yucatan Peninsula, such as Isla Mujeres and Holbox. Not only is it the perfect temperature for them, but the water is also extremely high in nutrients allowing for them to eat all of the plankton that they desire!
Whale Shark Season in Cancun
As the warmer months start to roll around, whale sharks make their way to the Caribbean. Between the months of May and September, travelers can enjoy many different excursions to go and visit them. The best time to see a lot of whale sharks is in July and August, with these beautiful creatures heading elsewhere in mid-September. So when you want to have an incredible experience with the biggest fish in the sea, make sure to visit Cancun and Playa del Carmen during these months.
All You Need to Know About Whale Shark Excursions in Cancun
If you are planning a vacation and want to see these gentle giants up and close, you will have plenty of opportunities to do so! By booking with Seek & Go, directly on-site in your Sandos Hotel, you will find the perfect tour so that you can experience the adventure of a lifetime. Through private whale shark tours or shared snorkeling tours, you will get to swim with the whale sharks up close.
While their size may be intimidating, they are called gentle giants for a reason. Whale Sharks are incredibly safe to swim with, and we guarantee that you will be left breathless after seeing them for the first time. Seek & Go provides you with a complete tour, snorkel gear, training, and a professional tour guide so that you can get the most out of this one-of-a-kind experience. You will be able to get extremely close to the whale sharks but do not touch them. Allow them to peacefully swim by and enjoy their beauty from afar.
Whale Shark Tours in Cancun
As we mentioned above, the whale sharks love the warm water, and the Caribbean Sea is full of it. While the whale sharks visit between May and September, you will be able to find a variety of different shark tours so that you can witness these incredible creatures. While staying at Sandos Hotels & Resorts, you can book the best whale shark tour with Seek & Go.
You will be able to find the best tour option for you, your friends, and your family. With your Seek & Go Tour Experts, you will have everything included, from training, equipment, and a professional tour guide. With just a short boat drive away, your guide will take you to one of the best spots in the Caribbean Sea to witness and even swim with the whale sharks. Some of the best places to observe the whale sharks are:
Off the Coast of Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres Whale Sharks
Just off the coast of one of the most beautiful islands in the Riviera Maya and just a short 30-minute boat ride from Cancun is the ideal spot to swim with whale sharks. While the tour will be the highlight of your day, the island also offers delicious restaurants and bars, shopping centers, and fun activities.
Off the Coast of Holbox Whale Sharks
Holbox is also another famous island in the Riviera Maya. It is best known for its natural environment and non-modernized town. Holbox brings culture and energy into the lives of all those who visit. Just off the coast is a great spot to see and swim with these great, white-spotted fish.No matter the tour you choose, we guarantee swimming with whale sharks in Holbox and Isla Mujeres will be one of the best experiences you will ever have during your vacation.
While the Whale Sharks are going to be your number one priority during your special excursion, did you know that you may have the chance to see other species of fish along your journey? That’s right, you may be able to see Manta Rays and even dolphins swimming in the open Caribbean Sea!
Accommodations
Sandos Cancun
When searching for the best accommodations to enjoy before and after your whale shark tour, Sandos Cancun has the most desirable amenities and services to make for a unique Caribbean getaway. With different restaurants, activities, a European-style spa, and a fully-equipped fitness center, guests can focus on their minds and bodies while enjoying an all-inclusive getaway.
Sandos Caracol Whale Sharks
Just an hour away from Cancun in Playa del Carmen, Sandos Caracol provides an eco getaway unlike any other. Situated deep within the Riviera Maya jungle, Sandos Caracol boasts cenotes, eco-activities, cultural performances, and so much more in an all-inclusive setting. If you are looking to get away from the stresses of everyday life in nature, Sandos Caracol is the ideal option for you and your family.
Sandos Playacar
When you aren’t swimming with the whale sharks, how about spending some time relaxing on a white sand beach? Sandos Playacar provides a beach vacation like no other with unbeatable performances, extravagant cuisine options, day and night activities, and so much more.
So, are you ready to swim with Whale Sharks in Cancun? Make sure to choose the best tour for you and your travel buddies with the professionals at Seek & Go!
