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Whale Shark Tour from Riviera Maya
Xaman-Ha Connections® offers a private whale shark tour from the Riviera Maya gives you a face-to-face encounter with the largest fish on the planet. Private transportation from your hotel, a small group boat of no more than 10 people, and a certified bilingual guide by your side. Every summer from June through mid-September, whale sharks gather in the warm waters off the Caribbean coast to feed. This is one of the few places in the world where you can swim alongside them. We pick you up directly from anywhere in the Riviera Maya. Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras. No meeting points, no shared vans. Just your group, door-to-door.
Private Transportation – All-Included – Max 10 People per Boat
Lowest price: $149 USD per person. Price varies by group size. The more people, the less you pay.
An all-included private whale shark tour with Xaman-Ha Connections®
What's included?
- Pickup from your hotel or condo, no extra stops
- Private round-trip in an air-conditioned vehicle, no shared transfer
- Vehicle stocked with bottled water, soda, and snacks
- Bilingual guide and dedicated driver
- Shared boat, max 10 people, water bottles included (option to upgrade to a private boat available at checkout)
- Snorkeling activity in the open ocean
- Safety equipment and life jackets
- Lunch on the boat at Isla Mujeres (no free time on the island)
- Dock fee tax included ($25 USD x person)
- All other local fees included
Your Whale Shark encounter looks like this
Real Stories from Travelers Who Chose Us
Tour Information & FAQs
- 6:00 AM Pickup: directly from your hotel or condo in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Puerto Morelos, or anywhere in the Riviera Maya.
- Arrival at the dock of Punta Sam in Cancun.
- Boat journey past Isla Mujeres into open water to find the whale sharks.
- Two jumps in the water alongside the whale sharks.
- Lunch on the boat at Punta Norte. No free time on Isla Mujeres.
- 5:00 PM Return: drop-off directly at your hotel or condo.
Times may vary depending on your location and highway conditions.
You will navigate from Punta Sam past Isla Mujeres into open ocean. The Caribbean coast is home to one of the largest seasonal gatherings of whale sharks in the world. Once located, you will enter the water twice alongside them. They are harmless filter feeders. Touching them is not allowed. Your guide will brief you on behavior and safety before each jump. Since this is peak season, expect other boats in the area. This is normal and does not affect your experience.
No. Your transportation is fully private, no hotel loops, no strangers in your van. The boat is shared with a small group of up to 10 people. If you prefer a fully private boat, that option is available at checkout.
The Caribbean waters off the Yucatan Peninsula host one of the largest seasonal whale shark aggregations on the planet. Every June through mid-September, whale sharks gather near the surface to feed on fish spawn from large snapper and tuna schools. The area is regulated by CONANP, Mexico's Commission for Natural Protected Areas, which strictly limits the number of boats and prohibits touching the animals. Whale sharks are the largest fish species on Earth, reaching up to 12 meters in length, and are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Pickup is available from any hotel or condo in the Riviera Maya. No meeting points, no shared transfers.
- Tulum
- Playa del Carmen
- Puerto Aventuras
- Puerto Morelos
- All hotels and condos across the Riviera Maya
Please review the following before booking:
- Advanced swimming skills required. Must be comfortable in deep, open water.
- Not suitable for guests with limited mobility or pregnant women.
- Kids must be 8 years or older.
- Avoid alcohol before the tour.
- Heart, respiratory, vertigo, or serious medical conditions: contact us before booking.
A few things that will make your day easier:
- Pack light: comfortable shoes, light clothes, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Wear a long-sleeve rash guard or UV shirt. Sunscreen is prohibited in the water.
- Bring a towel, swimsuit, and some extra cash.
- Start your day with a good breakfast.
- Any health concerns? Let us know at the time of booking.
Yes. Xaman-Ha Connections® is SECTUR certified by Mexico's Secretariat of Tourism, carries full liability insurance, and employs INAH-certified bilingual guides with 10+ years in high-end international tourism. We have been featured in Forbes and Kayak. See more about our team on our About page.
Whale Shark Tour – Practical Travel Guide
Whale shark season runs from June 1 through mid-September. July and August are peak months, with the highest concentration of whale sharks in the Caribbean waters off the coast of Cancun and Isla Mujeres.
Not at all. Whale sharks are filter feeders, they survive on plankton and tiny micro-organisms, not on fish or humans. Despite their size, they are slow-moving and completely calm in the water. Swimming alongside them is safe as long as you follow your guide's instructions and respect the animals.
No. Sunscreen is strictly prohibited on this tour as it damages marine life. We strongly recommend wearing a long-sleeve rash guard or UV shirt. If sunscreen is detected on your skin before jumping, you will not be allowed in the water.
Yes. GoPros and underwater cameras are welcome. It is one of the best opportunities you will ever have to capture footage in the open ocean alongside whale sharks.
Weather and ocean conditions are outside our control. If the harbor authority or government closes the dock, your tour will be rescheduled at no additional cost. If the tour departs and whale sharks are not encountered, which is very unlikely during peak season, we are unable to offer a refund or reschedule. We recommend booking during July or August for the highest probability of sightings.
Unfortunately no. Lunch is served on the boat in open water, which limits our ability to accommodate special dietary requirements.
Yes. This tour requires a minimum of 7 days advance notice for cancellation. Only cancellation requests submitted by email are valid. See our Cancellation Policy for full details.
For last-minute reservations, contact us directly via WhatsApp. Availability is not guaranteed for next-day requests during peak season.
How do we get you to the Whale Sharks
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Explore More Private Tours in the Riviera Maya
Visit our homepage to explore all our services, or browse our Riviera Maya private tour catalog for unforgettable experiences in Yucatán, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun.
