Did someone say whale shark tours in Playa del Carmen? Swimming with whale sharks in Playa del Carmen is one of those ‘not to miss’ experiences, like diving with bull sharks. You really can’t come to Playa del Carmen during whale shark season and not do this tour!
In this blog post, you are going to learn everything you need to know about swimming with whale sharks in Playa del Carmen to help you prepare for this magical experience.
Just here for the referral??
I recommend doing this tour with Living Dreams Mexico. They are the most ethical and awesome company around and it’s a flat fee, no hidden costs.
They even give you all of the photos included in the price, most companies charge $80 or more for this alone!
You can check the current pricing and book by clicking here.
Whale shark tours Playa del Carmen -
everything you need to know
It can be tricky to navigate with tour companies in hotels and hostels doing the hard sell on you and it is one tour you really do need to do your research on. So to help you out I have tried to include the key things in this post to help you have the best experience swimming with whale sharks in Mexico.
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Can you swim with Whale Sharks in Playa del Carmen?
No, you can’t swim with whale sharks in Playa del Carmen. But you can easily take a whale shark tour from Playa del Carmen to visit Isla Mujeres.
The Whale Sharks in Mexico actually don’t come to Playa del Carmen, they are off the coast of an island close to Cancun called Isla Mujeres. You can also find the whale sharks close to Isla Holbox which is another island north of Cancun.
It’s the bull sharks who visit Playa del Carmen, not the whale sharks.
You can easily take a whale shark tour from Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Morelos, or anywhere else in the Riviera Maya. The tour company will simply pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the marina in Cancun where you will then get on a boat to make the short trip over to where the whale sharks are.
It is also possible to do a Whale Shark tour from Isla Holbox, but that requires you to stay for at least 1 night on the island (if you decide to do that check out these Holbox hotels) and it’s a little more complicated than going from the mainland.
Looking for somewhere to stay
in Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or Tulum?
Here are my top Playa del Carmen accommodation picks
- Top Budget pick: Selina Playa Del Carmen
- Top Boutique Hotel Pick: Magic Blue Boutique Hotel
- Top Resort Pick: Fairmont Mayakoba
- Top Luxury Hotel Pick: Thompson Playa del Carmen / Thompson Beach house
You can also check out my accommodation guides here:
When is whale shark season Mexico 2023?
The dates of whale shark season 2023 in the Riviera Maya are 15th May until 17th September 2023.
The official Whale Shark season dates are set by MRMP (Biosphere Reserve Management Program).
You may see other dates advertised, but these are dates set by tour companies. Most don’t start running tours until June just in case the whale sharks are late arriving. This saves upsetting customers by having to cancel their tours or taking people out on a tour and not seeing any whale sharks.
If you are planning on visiting Mexico just to see the whale sharks, then I’d plan to go sometime in June, July, or August to be on the safe side.
Where is the best place to swim with whale sharks in Mexico?
In the Riviera Maya, you can swim with whale sharks in two locations:
- Off the coast of Isla Holbox
- Off the coast of Isla Mujeres
Unless you are planning to visit Holbox for a few days it isn’t an option to do a whale shark tour from Playa del Carmen to Holbox, it is just too far away.
The only option for a whale shark tour from Playa del Carmen is to visit Isla Mujeres as you can easily do it in a day.
You can also swim with whale sharks in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Baja California from November through until mid-May each year (basically when they aren’t in the Riviera Maya).
Whale Shark Diving?
This is a question that many people ask, can you scuba dive with whale sharks in Playa del Carmen? The answer is no.
In Mexico, you are not allowed to dive with whale sharks. There are other places in the world where you can, just not in Mexico.
Things to be aware of before swimming with whale sharks in Mexico
There are many things you need to be aware of before swimming with whale sharks. I have put a few bullet points below:
- No touching
- No sunscreen
- Listen to the guide
The big one really is to listen to the guides. They will give you a briefing on the transport on your way to Cancun, then again in the boat on your way to finding the whale sharks.
Listen to them, they are there to keep you, and the whale sharks, safe and happy.
Sunscreen is a big no-no as it can be harmful to the whale sharks, yes even your reef-safe stuff. Instead, it’s better to invest in a good rashguard and hat so you can cover up from the sun as much as possible.
Then after you have finished swimming with the whale sharks you can smother yourself in all the sunblock you like.
Choosing the right tour company
The Whale Sharks are a protected species, as are the waters they migrate to in Mexico. So one of the main reasons I didn’t write about my Whale Shark experience in Holbox was that I just didn’t know enough about the ethics of the whole thing to be about to recommend anyone to do the tour with. The company I did the tour with were ok, they did nothing wrong, but it could have been better.
I asked to borrow a GoPro to take some video to make a vlog and pictures as mine was broken – they ran out and didn’t tell me until that morning so there was nothing I could do. So the guide told me he would take some for me and charge me $10 USD… This was the best shot he got.
I should have just burned my $10.
If you are looking for all kinds of excursions and car rentals in Riviera Maya, take a look at what my friends from Turismo Channel have! You can check out their tours by clicking here and using the following discount codes for the best prices clairecaroff (car rental), claire10off (for 10% off group tours), claireprivate (for a discount on private tours).
Feeling Rushed
Then on the tour itself, everything just felt so rushed. Now that is partly because of the rules in place to protect the Whale Sharks but some companies handle this better than others. We arrived late and there were already a lot of other boats there. We were then put in pairs and each pair gets 2 chances to snorkel with the Whale Sharks. The guide shouted now, I jumped in, swam for what felt like 10 seconds, and then told to get out.
Then we went to another crowded place and snorkeled while the captain made lunch. Now I don’t mean to be negative, because the whole experience of getting to swim with whale sharks in Mexico was unbelievable, and as I said before, it is one of the best things I’ve ever done. I just expected better service from the tour company.
Cost of a Whale Shark Tour
Whale Shark tours aren’t cheap I paid around $120 USD which is on the cheaper side as I know of companies who charge $330 for the same group tour.
Now I’m all for saving a few bucks, I’m much more of a hostel and public bus kinda gal, but if I could go back and do this again, I’d book the $330 tour.
Why? Because the experience I had on the $120 tour was pretty crappy when I compare it to the experience I had on the one that cost $330.
This is a once in a lifetime experience. It’s not something you scrimp on2
Living Dreams Mexico
Fast forward to now and having lived in Mexico for some time now I can speak with much more authority when making recommendations.
There is only one company that I recommend to book the Whale Shark tour from Playa del Carmen with and that is Living Dreams Mexico.
I know one of the owners personally. He is the guy rallying people to clean up the beaches in Playa, making huge steps to become a plastic-free company, and constantly speaking out against animal cruelty.
With them it is all in the detail – professional photos are included, as are snacks, and drinks. These guys even give you a blanket and cushion in the minibus!
Many companies give you one price and then like to add on extra for things like life jackets, wet suits, and photos.
They don’t do that…the price you see here is the price you pay. ALL extras included. The professional photos/ videos they include are valued at $100 USD. It doesn’t take a maths genius to see this is a pretty sweet deal!
What’s Included in the Tour
The whale shark tour includes pickup from your hotel or apartment in Playa (they can also pick up in Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and other places if you ask) and transport you to Cancun. From there you will be met by the boat and begin your short ride to Isla Mujeres. You will be provided with a wet suit (optional, [easyazon_link identifier=”B077625VKL” locale=”US” tag=”clairesummers-20″]I took my own[/easyazon_link]), a life vest (mandatory), and snorkeling equipment (again I took my own). Onboard you will be offered soft drinks all included in the price.
Once your whale shark swimming experience is over it’s time for lunch! This was so much fun. Lunch was freshly prepared ceviche and tostadas served on a surfboard in the beautiful turquoise waters of Isla Mujeres.
Ready to book your whale shark tour?
I recommend doing the whale shark tour with Living Dreams Mexico. They are the most ethical and awesome company around and it’s a flat fee, no hidden costs. Photos included.
You can make an inquiry simply by adding your name and email address in the form below and someone will be in touch with you within 24 hours.
The Pictures
The best bit, for me, is the pictures. They will take pictures and videos of you so you don’t need to and you can just enjoy the experience. Now, I know it’s not all about the photos, it’s the memories that are important. But I must admit I still feel a bit gutted about not having any photos and I would have gladly paid $100 USD for a photographer.
QUICK TIP: Book your tours, rental cars, and transfers through my local contacts
I’ve been working with Living Dreams Mexico for years and they are who I send all my family and friends to when they visit the Riviera Maya. I really can recommend them enough for private tours and experiences. They have solid 5* reviews on Trip Advisor and Google from almost 4000 reviewers! You can view all their tours here.
If you’re looking for private airport transfers and rental cars then Vanessa and Oliver from Turismo Channel are personal friends of mine and I can 100% recommend them to make an inquiry click here and complete the form. Someone will be in touch within 24 hours.
Whale Shark Tours Playa del Carmen Final Thoughts
If you are thinking of doing the whale shark tour from Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or Tulum then my biggest piece of advice is to do your research first.
Ask questions, find out what is included, how many people will be on your boat, how long you will get to swim with them, etc. Then check reviews and make sure everything the company has told you checks out. Don’t just book the cheapest tour and hope for the best. This is a once in a lifetime experience and you do not want to just book any old tour and hope for the best.
If you book this whale Shark Tour with Living Dreams please mention my name when booking so they know where you learned about them.
Mandie Prior
Sunday 7th of July 2019
We are visiting PDC at the end on July with 2 teenagers. We'd like to do the whaleshark trip. Do we need to book before we leave or is there usually availability? I don't wnat to arrive to find there's no availibility for the next 3 weeks :( . We are staying in an apartment outside of the main resort. Do you have any tips? We'd like to see the natural and historical sights. Thanks xx
Claire Summers
Sunday 7th of July 2019
Hi, Mandie, I'm sure you will have an amazing time! I'd recommend booking as soon as you arrive to make sure you get the date you want. The boats do get full sometimes. I have information on my blog on Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba which are all ruins that I love. But there is also Myulli and Sian Ka'an, Cenotes, Scuba diving, and zip lining in Puerto Morelos. So many things! Head over to Kay.tours and take a look at their blog. I write for them sometimes and there are lots of top things to do posts there. All written by local people (not just bloggers who went on vacation for a week ;-). Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions.
Jaclyn
Monday 17th of June 2019
Looks like you had an amazing time!!! Swimming with sharks is on my bucket list!
HongChing
Sunday 16th of June 2019
WOW! THIS IS AWESOME! Great photography skills! This makes me want to go to Mexico for my birthday even more.
Madison
Monday 10th of June 2019
Your trip looks amazing! I want to book a trip to Mexico sometime.