Swimming with Whale Sharks in Cancun

At 59 feet long, weighing 15 tons, mouth extending up to 5 feet when open, the colossal whale shark is surprisingly docile, a polite mammoth that cuts through the water with lethargic grace. If it were any other animal of comparable size, it would be categorized a man-eater, but the world's largest fish feeds exclusively on tiny plankton.

Only a few locales in the world can claim the whale shark as a native to their waters—Austrailia, Belize, and Cancun. Because they are a migratory animal, those unafraid of their incredible size can swim alongside them only when the waters reach their warmest. In Cancun, the best month to experience the whale shark is during July and August.

The ocean water of Cancun is verdant with nutrients and life, and as such, the whale shark is abundant. Swimming with these creatures requires some training because although they are friendly and non-aggressive, their brash bodily movements should be identified, familiarized, and anticipated. Those who plan to swim with the whale shark instructed on what to expect before accompanied by experts on their snorkeling expedition.

Check with the concierge of your Cancun luxury resort for more information on whale shark tours. Because most hotels of the area employ locals who are familiar with any and every activity within the Yucatan, it is best inquire with them first, before venturing beyond hotel premises. The tours that remain the especially popular, however, are to be found in Punta Sam, an area just north of Cancun. As with any whale shark tour, it is best to plan a day around the tours as it lasts approximately five hours.