Mexico · WHALE SHARK SWIMS

The 15 Best Whale Shark Tours in Mexico

24 tours  ·  from $110 a head

The sharks aggregate off Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox from roughly June to September, and permits cap the boats each day. These 15 are priced and compared on crossing time, group size and how many swims you get.

La Paz Whale Shark Snorkeling Tour and Lunch From Los Cabos - The early ride from Los Cabos to La Paz
Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in San Jose del Cabo, Whale Shark Swims

La Paz Whale Shark Snorkeling Tour and Lunch From Los Cabos

1.La Paz Whale Shark Snorkeling Tour and Lunch From Los Cabos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,066 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $259Our pick

Leave Los Cabos early for La Paz, where guides such as Mario, Joe, and Juan help you snorkel beside migrating whale sharks from a local panga boat. Wetsuits, gear, drinks, fish tacos, and hotel transport are included. Plan on a long day, and remember that weather, permits, and whale shark numbers can affect the outing.

“The entire experience was wonderful. Mario and crew with Cabo Adventures were amazing and so informative. It was wonderful to swim with the whale shark.”

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Whale Shark Adventure in Isla Mujeres and Cancun - What happens when the sharks are found
Isla Mujeres Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark Adventure in Isla Mujeres and Cancun

2.Whale Shark Adventure in Isla Mujeres and Cancun

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 951 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $155

Join a maximum of 10 people for a seasonal whale shark trip from Isla Mujeres. Guides such as Felipe and Lolo have helped swimmers get into position beside these huge wild fish, with two short water turns planned when conditions allow. The day also includes snacks, drinks, ceviche, snorkeling gear, and a beach stop.

“What an incredible experience - we loved the direct assistance and directions in making the most of the moments with these beautiful creatures who are just so gentle to be around. The captain and tour lead were fantastic in making this an unforgetable moment for our family.”

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Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya - The long speedboat ride to the whale shark area
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cancun, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya

3.Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 929 reviews · 6 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $199

Join a small group of up to 10 people for a seasonal whale shark trip from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Riviera Maya. Guides such as Dory, Pia, Pepe, and Santiago lead the swims, while the crew provides gear, snacks, drinks, and fresh ceviche at Playa Norte. Expect an early start, rough water, and changing wildlife conditions.

“We got so lucky! Nature CANNOT be controlled, but wow, Mother Nature showed up for us. According to the captain there were 20-30 whales that day. And we had an incredible experience. We had 2 dives of over 2 minutes each, and that was perfect. We rented wet suits that allowed us to swim better (highly recommend, since the whales can move quick). Diego (tour guide), Pepe (captain) and Pablo (sailor) were amazing. The ride can be a bit uncomfortable, but it has to be done. On our way there we saw dolphins, flying fish, turtles and rays. To anyone booking, please know that the team CANNOT control nature, you…”

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Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya - From hotel pickup to Puerto Xtabay
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cancun, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya

4.Whale Sharks Small-Group Tour in Cancun and Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 916 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $160

Spend about eight hours traveling from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Riviera Maya to the Yucatan whale shark grounds. A bilingual naturalist guide, often names such as Naara, Arturo, Victor, or Omar, explains the animals and manages two-person water entries. Lunch, drinks, gear, and hotel transfers are included, but bring cash for the $20 dock and environmental fee.

“Absolutely an amazing experience! We offered our daughter a graduation party, our trip and she chose trip! Thank goodness!! The whale sharks, the turtles, the dolphins and clear blue Waters were absolutely beautiful. The boat ride was also fun and the drivers in the crew were wonderful. Arrion passion, and love for the sea is infectious and was so kind and supportive to new divers! freshly made guacamole and fresh for salad was amazing.!!!Definitely would recommend it! How many memories made with family! I wouldn’t trade it for the world!!!”

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Whale Shark snorkeling tour in a reduced group with local marine biologist - Getting fitted with the right equipment
Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in La Paz, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark snorkeling tour in a reduced group with local marine biologist

5.Whale Shark snorkeling tour in a reduced group with local marine biologist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 594 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $190

Meet MeXplore in central La Paz for a roughly three-hour whale shark trip with a marine biologist and captain. Groups are kept small, usually no more than eight, with only a few people in the water at once. Wetsuits, masks, fins, snacks, permits, insurance, and GoPro footage are included.

“Sadly, the weather and sea conditions were too rough so our tour was cancelled. However, I do have to mention the tour reps and their communication. Outstanding!! They advised us several days in advance that the tour may be cancelled, and provided the possible reasons why. They kept in touch as our tour date grew closer. And then advised us the day before that it was indeed cancelled, and we could choose between rescheduling or a full refund. As this was booked close to the end of our vacation, we were unable to reschedule. We did receive a full refund. While we didn’t get to do this bucket list item,…”

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Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya - A 6 a.m. pickup and breakfast at Punta Sam
Full-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Playa del Carmen, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya

6.Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 519 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $170

Leave your Cancun or Playa del Carmen hotel around 6 a.m. for a small-group boat trip to swim with whale sharks in 15-minute rounds. Guide Jane and other marine-life guides have earned strong praise for safety and animal care. You’ll also snorkel near Isla Mujeres, eat ceviche and guacamole, and return after roughly seven hours.

“Such a fun day!! We were worried we wouldn't see any whales, but our tour guide Denys was super optimistic and it put everyone in a good mood - we ended up seeing multiple whales and mantarays. Whole experience was unreal. Our tour group was English and Russian, and our guide Denys balanced both of us really well (I assume because the Russians laughed a lot!). Pick up was easy from the hotel but very early (mine was 6:10AM), and Denys had a GoPro to take photos and videos of us; it was a separate charge so if you have your own GoPro, you might want to bring that. I…”

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Whale Shark Swimming and Isla Mujeres Beach Tour - From Cancun pickup to the Punta Sam marina
Isla Mujeres Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cancun, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark Swimming and Isla Mujeres Beach Tour

7.Whale Shark Swimming and Isla Mujeres Beach Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 399 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $210

Start before sunrise with pickup to Punta Sam, then ride into the protected whale shark area for paired swims with a guide. Afterward, spend about an hour at Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte with ceviche, sandwiches, and drinks. Guides such as Herbert, Angel, Nate, Xavier, and Manuel have earned praise for safety and helpful instruction.

“We were sent messages the day before and 30 mins prior to pick up, to remind of pickup times and needed items. We were on the boat (Inky) with Herman (driver) and Marcelino (diver). They were great and able provide direction and assistance to ensure no one lost items while on the water and were safe. The whale sharks, they are giant and amazing and so majestic and being in the water with them was an experience I’ll never forget! The swims were fast and you can’t hesitate or swim slow. There were only 2 swims bc there weren’t many in the water that day, but maybe having 8 ppl…”

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Intimate Eco-Friendly Whale Shark Encounter - Premium Service - Meeting at The Dock Cafe in central La Paz
Tour Reviews, Tours in La Paz, Whale Shark Swims

Intimate Eco-Friendly Whale Shark Encounter – Premium Service

8.Intimate Eco-Friendly Whale Shark Encounter – Premium Service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 392 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $268

Meet your guide at The Dock Cafe in central La Paz for a three-hour whale shark outing limited to seven people. You’ll receive a wetsuit, snorkel gear, biodegradable sunscreen, snacks, and drinks, then make several water entries when conditions allow. Guides such as Fatima, Katrin, Angel, and Anna have helped swimmers get close while protecting the sharks.

“Guide and boat captain were very knowledgeable and facilitated a very memorable experience with the whale sharks. I didn’t give them 5 stars because they promised photos of the experience, which would have been wonderful to have, but I asked twice and still never sent and that is very disappointing to not have those.”

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Cancún: Swim with Whale Sharks - The boat ride and the search near Isla Contoy
Tour Reviews, Tours in Cancun, Whale Shark Swims

Cancún: Swim with Whale Sharks

9.Swim with Whale Sharks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 380 reviews · 7 - 7.5 hours · from $160

From Cancún, take a small boat toward the whale shark reserve near Isla Contoy from May to September. Guides such as Omar, Naara, Arturo, and Alex explain the animals, lead short swims, and serve lunch with drinks before a stop near Isla Mujeres. Bring cash, a towel, and seasickness medicine.

“We had a once in a lifetime experience today with Omar. You can tell his passion for animals and his experience. We had a fantastic day with so many whale sharks it was hard to count, maybe more than 6!! The most beautiful ceviche served up on the boat anchored at Playa Norte. Couldn’t fault a single aspect. Thank you so much”

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Whale Shark and Snorkeling Adventure from Isla Holbox - The boat ride into Yum Balam Reserve
Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours in Isla Holbox, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark and Snorkeling Adventure from Isla Holbox

10.Whale Shark and Snorkeling Adventure from Isla Holbox

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 214 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $199

Leave Isla Holbox at 6:30 a.m. with an experienced guide such as Gustavo, Diego, or Eddie, then ride into Yum Balam Reserve to look for whale sharks. You enter the water in pairs with a guide, followed by snorkeling near Cabo Catoche, a swim at Santa Paula, and fresh ceviche. The six-hour trip has a maximum of 10 people.

“Amazing experience! Our guide (Gustavo) and boat captain (Jorge) were excellent. The breakfast provided in the morning was a nice touch and the ceviche lunch on the beach was a perfect end to an adventurous day.”

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Cancun Whale Shark Encounter - Punta Sam logistics and the value of an early pickup
Tour Reviews, Tours in Cancun, Whale Shark Swims

Cancun Whale Shark Encounter

11.Cancun Whale Shark Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 172 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $210

Meet at Punta Sam or use hotel pickup for a half-day boat trip to the whale shark zone. With a bilingual guide, you’ll make short swims near these gentle giants, then visit Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres for ceviche, snacks, and a beach break. Geovanny, Dorian, Angel, and Manuel have guided past departures, though staff assignments vary.

“The swim itself was amazing. Geovanny our guide helped us get close to the whale sharks and take good photos and videos with his gopro. He was very patient with those not so able swimmers on our boat - you need to be able to swim to keep up with the fast moving animals. Miguel, the captain was very skilful at getting us to the right spot for each dive and the boat ride was enjoyable too. We were served delicious fish ceviche and sandwiches and taken to a beautiful beach in Isla Mujeres before heading back.”

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Whale Shark Swim Adventure in La Paz - What happens at the Sea of Cortez stop
Tour Reviews, Tours in La Paz, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark Swim Adventure in La Paz

12.Whale Shark Swim Adventure in La Paz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $110Best value

Join Sunrider Tours in La Paz for a whale shark swim in the Sea of Cortez. Guides such as Armando, Dellis, Dorion, and Camilla explain the rules, help you snorkel safely, and work with captains Martin and Memo to find the sharks. Expect a small group, about 50 minutes in the water when conditions allow, and possible waits set by local authorities.

“Our tour guide,( Dellis and captain Memo, please forgive spelling if incorrect)was the best. This was a fantastic experience. She had us right next to the whale sharks, lucky for us they were feeding in a small area. Totally loved the experience.”

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Whale Shark Adventure with a Marine Biologist - Getting ready with the marine biologist
Tour Reviews, Tours in La Paz, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark Adventure with a Marine Biologist

13.Whale Shark Adventure with a Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $170

Meet at Playa SN-C Restaurant Bar La Costa for a small-group boat trip with a marine biologist. You may swim with several whale sharks for up to 30 minutes at a time, with no more than five people in the water. Guides such as Natalia, Francesca, and Marru explain the animals and manage each encounter carefully.

“An excellent excursion from start to finish. What a wonder it was to be in the water with these giant creatures. Guides were knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and multilingual. Highly recommended.”

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Whale Shark Group Adventure from Isla Holbox - The long ride into the Gulf of Mexico
Tour Reviews, Tours in Isla Holbox, Whale Shark Swims

Whale Shark Group Adventure from Isla Holbox

14.Whale Shark Group Adventure from Isla Holbox

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 82 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $203

Meet your bilingual guide at the VIP Holbox office at 6:30 a.m. for a small-group boat trip into the Gulf of Mexico. Swim two at a time beside whale sharks, then snorkel near Cabo Catoche before ceviche at Boca Santa Paula. Breakfast, gear, water, soft drinks, and government fees are included.

“My boyfriend and I had the most bad ass day ever!!! Pedro, our Captain kept everyone safe and well fed. Our guide was also a very knowledgeable older gentleman who is so well versed in everything Whale Shark that it was like an outdoor classroom!! We highly recommend this tour company 🇲🇽🇺🇸🎯👏”

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La Paz Whale Shark & Sea Lion Snorkeling + Balandra Tour - San Rafaelito and its sea lion colony
Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in La Paz, Whale Shark Swims

La Paz Whale Shark & Sea Lion Snorkeling + Balandra Tour

15.La Paz Whale Shark & Sea Lion Snorkeling + Balandra Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $250

Join a marine biologist and a maximum of 10 people for whale shark snorkeling, sea lions at San Rafaelito, and a Balandra Beach stop. Tuna Tuna Tours includes gear, wetsuit, lunch, drinks, snacks, and underwater photos and videos. Guides may include Stephanie, Cristian, Maritza, or Marco.

“What a great day. Tuna tuna was very communicative with changing the meet up time to 7am. The water was so calm and the fact to be able to snorkel with whale sharks and sea lions in such an intimate setting was great. The beach lunch stop was very beautiful as well with such blue sandy waters.”

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