FAQ : Whale Shark Tour
Here you’ll find answers to the most important questions to consider before booking your whale shark tour in Cancun, Mexico:
When is the best time to swim with whale sharks?
The best period is generally June 15th to August 15th, when whale shark activity is usually at its highest. During this period, there can be up to a 90% chance of spotting whale sharks, although sightings can never be guaranteed because this is a natural wildlife experience.
How much does the whale shark tour cost?
Our tour prices start from USD $160 per person from hotels in Cancun and USD $199 per person from hotels in Playa del Carmen. Prices may vary depending on your hotel location and the services included.
Is swimming with whale sharks guaranteed?
No. Whale sharks are wild animals, and this is a 100% natural wildlife experience. Their presence, location, and behavior cannot be controlled or guaranteed.
What happens if whale sharks are not spotted?
If whale sharks cannot be found, the snorkeling activity may take place at a coral reef area, where you can look for other marine life, depending on weather and sea conditions.
How long does the tour take?
The complete experience can take approximately 4 to 8 hours, depending on your hotel location, sea conditions, and the time required to search for whale sharks.
Where does the tour depart from?
Hotel pickup is available from Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Playa del Carmen. The boat departs from Punta Sam Port, north of Cancun.
Is transportation from my hotel included?
Yes. Round-trip transportation from your hotel is included for hotels located in our service areas.
How far is the whale shark area from Cancun?
The boat departs from Punta Sam Port. From the port, it can take approximately 1 hour by boat to reach the whale shark search area, depending on sea conditions and the location of the sharks.
How many people can join the tour?
According federal regulations boats are limited to a maximum of 10 guests per boat.
What is included in the tour price?
The tour includes:
- Round-trip hotel transportation
- Boat tour
- Snorkeling equipment
- Onboard amenities
- Lunch
What should I bring with me?
We recommend bringing:
- Biodegradable sunscreen, or preferably a UV-protection long-sleeve shirt
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable clothing
- Cash for personal expenses, if needed
Is the tour suitable for children and non-swimmers?
The minimum age is 8 years old. Non-swimmers can participate, and our boat crew will provide assistance during the snorkeling activity. However, participants should feel comfortable being in the water and follow all safety instructions from the crew.
What happens if weather conditions are not suitable?
Safety comes first. If weather or sea conditions are not suitable for the tour, rescheduling is the first option. If rescheduling is not possible, a 100% refund may be available, according to our cancellation and refund policy.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
For complete information about cancellations, refunds, and applicable conditions, please see our Whale Shark Tour Cancellation & Refund Policy.
How long will we spend searching for whale sharks if they are difficult to find?
When whale sharks are difficult to locate, the search may take up to approximately 3.5 hours in open water, depending on the conditions and the location of the animals.
How many times can I enter the water during the tour?
The number of snorkeling opportunities depends on the number and location of whale sharks, sea conditions, and the number of boats operating in the area. Our crew will follow the applicable regulations and instructions from local authorities.
What happens if only one whale shark is found?
If only one whale shark is found, snorkeling may not be permitted, depending on the applicable federal regulations and the conditions at the time. In certain situations, guests may only be allowed to observe the whale shark from the boat.
Because whale sharks are wild animals, the number of sharks available for observation can vary significantly from one day to another.
A few questions I would definitely add
For your particular tour, I think these are especially important because they manage customer expectations before booking:
1. Is swimming with whale sharks guaranteed?
This should probably be one of the first questions. Since it is a 100% natural wildlife experience, customers need to understand that sightings cannot be guaranteed.
2. What happens if whale sharks are difficult to find?
This connects directly with your explanation about longer search times during periods of lower whale shark numbers.
3. What happens if only one whale shark is spotted?
Very important because customers may assume that seeing one shark means everyone will automatically have multiple swimming opportunities.
4. What is the best time of the season to go?
You can explain your May 15–September 15 season, while highlighting the periods when whale shark numbers are typically higher.
5. What happens if the weather is bad?
Customers should know whether the tour is postponed, canceled, or refunded when weather or sea conditions make the excursion unsafe.
6. What is included and what is not included?
For example: transportation, breakfast/lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, conservation fees, marine park fees, etc.
7. How long is the tour?
Especially important because the actual duration can vary when the crew needs additional time to locate the sharks.
8. What is your refund/cancellation policy?
I would make this very clear before the customer reaches the booking button, particularly because wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.