(Note: Their pricing can vary.) Reading Suggestion: Are There Sharks in Aruba? Even if you only stray a few meters from the beach, theres a chance you could run into a hammerhead or, if youre unlucky, an aggressive bull shark. However, having your own is always better for sanitary reasons. BOOK NOW. Even if its prey proves to be an unappetizing human, it wont spit it out as quickly as a great white! The likelihood of being killed by a shark is less than one in 264.1 million. You should also remove any jewelry or other items that may reflect the light. With their yellowish coloring, lemon sharks blend in perfectly with the sandy areas where they hunt and forage. When diving with sharks, be aware of threat displays, such as those exhibited by the mako and Caribbean reef shark. The tropical beaches of Cancun attract visitors from all over the world, but not all of them are human. I went with Isla Fun Tours, and had an amazing experience. The attraction is understandable. Whale sharks are filter feeders, and primarily eat plankton (microscopic organisms) and very small fish. We docked the boat on the sandbar just off Playa Norte, the best beach in Isla Mujeres, so we could swim for a while. These amazing animals have become more than just whites sharks to us as we encounter them year after year we met Scarboard 16 years ago they have become our sharky friends. With bold black coloration at the tips of their fins, they are easily identifiable. What to Bring for a Cancun Whale Shark Swim. Guadeloupe is a big place, and has lots of great sights for you to explore, let us help you to narrow down your options on where to go. No The best place to see great white sharks in Mexico is Isla Guadalupe (Guadalupe Island), located about 150 miles (241 km) from Ensenada, Mexico. Well discuss how to stay safe in the face of such a display later in this article. We had rougher seas on our trip, so it was closer to two hours from Cancun, but the captain said he usually never sees waves as large as they were the day we went, so 1.5 hours is usually the norm. There have only been 40 shark attacks in the whole of Mexico in the past 450 years, compared with 828 in Florida alone. Its perhaps because of that risk that so many scuba divers are drawn to Cancun to swim with these phenomenal creatures. This could indicate that there is a shark close by, just waiting for the right opportunity to strike and obtain their next meal. Or choose Cookie preferences to customise your settings and opt out of all or some non-essential cookies. (Best Places). This non-aggressive shark species is largely nocturnal, spending its days resting in rock crevices and caves during the day. If you dont have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card. The tours average about $150 USD per person, so be wary if you see something priced lower, as you dont want to skimp on safety since youll be in the open ocean. After all, sharks are abundant in 90% of the worlds oceans. After all, considering that sharks can be found in practically all waters globally, the number of individuals who are bitten by sharks each year is incredibly minimal. This does not, however, increase your chances of being attacked by a shark in Cancun. (Read more), Maybe It depends on your company, so check with your provider. While several dive companies in Cancun claim to provide great white shark cage diving from Playa del Carmen, only Guadalupe Island offers great white shark cage diving in pristine blue water with 100 to 150-foot visibility. Still, even with flippers, it can be a strenuous swim, so just be aware. If youre on the fence about it, know there are only a handful of places you can do this on Earth, so dont hesitate on booking your tour now with Isla Fun Tours. Like other reef sharks, the Caribbean frequents coral reefs where it hunts for fish, rays, and large crustaceans, including the Caribbean king crab. Earlier this year, however, a couple of researchers from the University of Quintana Roo updated that data, revealing an impressive 85 different species of sharks and rays in the region. On my tour, we left promptly at 8am from Isla Mujeres, heading to the whale shark area. They can even extract conchs from their shells using a combination of teeth and suction. As Mexicos largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. Not only do these experiences promise some incredible shark encounters, but they also give you the chance to visit Cancuns incredible underwater museum, locally known as the Museo Subacutico de Arte. What is a whale shark? It is the most popular of all places to visit in Mexico, and the government does their part to keep Cancun safe so visitors return year after year. This was an unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend swimming with the whale sharks in Cancun Mexico. A few months later, another tourist received an 8-inch wound to her foot. Reading Suggestion: Sharks in Panama City Beach You Are Likely To See. After all, when youre alone, youre regarded aseasy prey. The Cancun whale shark season in Mexico is during the summer, which means it will be very humid. https://www.dutchsharksociety.org/author/nicky/. More liable to attack if cornered, experts believe this species also warns its victim by performing a series of movements known as a display threat.. The tour included everything, from the boat ride and transportation (from select Cancun hotels), to food and drinks, and also all your snorkeling equipment. In this article, Im going to tell you everything you need to know to have an amazing time swimming with the largest fish in the sea just like I did. There are several kinds, though its very rare to see any of them. For many years, only 25 different shark species were thought to inhabit Cancuns tropical seas. Lets go cage diving! Despite that, its still considered a dangerous shark species due to its size, power, and speed. Some of the tourist activities involving nurse sharks may not be in the animals best interest, and visitors should use their discretion before participating in such pursuits. Thousands of tourists flock to its shores every year with pristine white sand and oceans that sparkle turquoise. Travel Mexico Solo is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When shark attacks happen, the shark is typically mistaking a person for its main food source:seals. There are sharks in Cancun. The nearby Isla Mujeres is a hotspot of activity, attracting an abundance of whale sharks and Caribbean reef sharks. We found them quickly, which is why we were permitted to get in three times each. Over the past 100 years or so, the Blacktip has been responsible for just 14 attacks on humans, most of which involve the sharks biting the feet or legs of waders after mistaking them for prey. You might be wondering, Is it OK to swim with whale sharks? This full face mask and snorkel combo is an Amazon bestseller for a reason as it makes snorkeling much easier. However, having your own is always better for health and sanitary reasons. Reading Suggestion: Does Folly Beach Have Sharks? Despite its distribution, this slow-moving species has been hunted intensively, and its population has declined dramatically as a result. There are several species of hammerhead in the Cancun area, ranging from the four-foot-long bonnethead to the 20-foot-long great hammerhead. Fortunately, these crystal-clear waters stretch for miles in Cancun, making it easy to find your own secluded little patch of beach to enjoy your vacation. We saw about 20 whale sharks these animals are magnificent, and so amazing to see up close. If youre considering a Mexico Airbnb, dont forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. The best time to dive with bull sharks in Cancun is between December and March when the pregnant sharks move into the warmer waters to give birth. Great white sharks are free to explore whatever water they please. On the other hand, it seems willing to eat almost anything, including tires, car license plates, and even a bottle of wine! Be aware of the possibility of other sharks in the area and slowly move out of the sharks territory while remaining as calm as possible. Check out this article if you want to go Fishing In Cancun. While swimming, the captain and guide made us a nice ceviche lunch with fresh fish. The following are the nine most common sharks seen around Cancun. Whale Sharks Cancun: Frequently Asked Questions. 5 Most Valuable Spanish Treasure Ships Never Found, The 10 Best Beaches to Find Shark Teeth in South Carolina, The 14 Best Beaches in Florida To Find Sharks Teeth, Are There Sharks in Aruba? (Read more). Isla Fun Tours didnt know I planned to write this article after the tour. The only difference is the amount of time you spend in the boat en route to that particular area. While Cancun is generally a safe place for tourists to frolic about in the water with their families, by sticking to clear, shallow waters, you can make sure that you will see any predator coming from a mile away. Nicky is a British adventurer and animal lover who spends her time exploring the natural world and writing about her experiences. Want to travel to Cancun by car? Cancun is regarded as the ideal beach vacation spot. Instead of 3-inch-long serrated teeth, the whale shark has filtering pads, which it uses to sift through 20kg of plankton every day. From Isla Holbox Island, youll be on the boat 2-2.5 hours each way, so its a longer boat ride, but basically the same tour other than that. Can You Drive to Cancn From the United States. With basic coverage averaging just $5-10USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from World Nomads, the biggest name in travel insurance. How much does it cost to swim with whale sharks in Cancun? Although lemon sharks are rarely aggressive, the International Shark Attack File says, Caution is still warranted as they are a large predatory species.. For the majority of travelers, even solo travelers, Cancun is as safe at night as during the day. The larger, more dominant, female sharks can be seen towards the end of the season in October/November during a period we call The Time of the Titans. After booking, send the company an email so they know youre one large group. There are a maximum of 30 boats in the water at one time, capped at 10 passengers per boat. For a deep dive into this subject, check out Is Cancun Safe for Travelers? Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. I would take this trip again with this company. Nicole was lucky to survive the attack but lost her left arm and a large chunk of her left thigh. Snorkeling is a relatively easy activity, but snorkeling with the whale sharks in Cancun is a bit more fast paced because the whale sharks swim pretty fast. You can also get these anti-motion sickness bracelets. Only two travelers (and the guide) are allowed in the water at one time from each boat. Last Minute Discount Great White Shark Cage Diving Guadalupe Island? This is one of the worlds top destinations for shark sightings and diving experiences. The tour included everything, from hotel pick-up and the boat ride, to food and drinks, and also all the equipment for snorkeling. The boat we took was in excellent condition, our captain (Jonathan) was professional and knew the boat well. After all, the number of people attacked by sharks yearly is exceptionally low, consideringsharks canbe found in almostalloceans worldwide. I went with Isla Fun Tours, and they were excellent. Its been white shark heaven ever since! Check out this article: Can You Surf in Cancun? Like most beach destinations, Cancun does have sharks. Thousands of visitors visit its coastlines each year due tothe areas immaculate white sandy beachesand blue crystalwaters. From the incredible 19+ foot Deep Blue, most likely the largest great white shark in the Pacific, to many of our regular white sharks like Scarboard, Lucy, and Mau. Cancun shark tour operators consider the mako dangerous enough that they rarely free-dive with this species, instead offering cage diving experiences off the coast of the Isle Mujeres. Isla Fun Tours provided flippers for everyone so you can swim faster with minimal effort. In total, the tour was about seven hours. Your hotel pick-up will be at about 7am, but youll get an email confirmation after booking with the exact time. The designated whale shark zone is much closer to Cancun and Isla Mujeres, so youll spend just 1-1.5 hours on the boat, each way. This means that while it may seem like these daunting predators are stalking our beaches, waiting to make us their next meal, they are simply trying to eat to survive. No worries! Cancun is known as the perfect beach getaway destination. We can help you get there. Wondering, What kind of sharks are in Cancun, besides whale sharks? Thinking about travelling to Guadeloupe? Despite these three recent incidents, shark attacks in Cancun are extremely rare. Check out this article: Can You Drive to Cancn From the United States? How to Swim with Whale Sharks Cancun Mexico. A few days before writing this, I read about a woman who narrowly escaped losing one of her feet to a lemon shark while snorkeling near Florida Keys. It is, therefore, best to stay out of the water when you notice that seals are present. Shark Attacks, Sightings and Swimming, Quintana Roo 10 (4 fatal; last one in 2013), Performing a series of quick movements or turns. This may attract sharks to the area and increase their chances of being attacked when entering the water. From Cancun, the trip to the whale shark zone is about 1.5-2 hours by boat. They have tiny teeth, which is why they can only feed on the smallest things in the sea, because they cant really bite anything. Despite their size and reputation, even the largest hammerhead species pose very little threat to humans. A couple of years later, another attack occurred, this time involving a tiger shark. The most recent was in 2013, when a shark attacked a swimmer on Seagull Beach, according to the Shark Attack Data site. However, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund with Isla Fun Tours. Reading Suggestion: 30 Types of Sharks in Puerto Rico. If you want a private tour, click here to book, and just increase the number of people going to 10 so you buy the boat out. This is much lower than many other countries, including the United States, Australia, Bahamas, South Africa and New Zealand. Even though Cancun is home to about 40 species of sharks, sightings are rare, with very few attacks and no deaths ever reported at the popular holiday destination. When booking, make sure you select the option for English guide so you get an English-speaking or bilingual tour guide. So, while it is not common to see great white sharks in Cancun, be aware that nothing is stopping them from wandering past your beach. Staying in nearby Playa del Carmen or Tulum? Found in the last 45 days. Whats the best way to book my Mexico accommodations? Reading Suggestion: Can Tiger Sharks Live in an Aquarium? The island, after 21 years of cage diving operations here, has become THE place in the world to cage dive with great white sharks. Reaching lengths of up to 66 feet long, these gentle giants could hardly be more different from their ferocious cousins, the great whites. Remember, this is a wild animal encounter, so theres a chance to see 50 whale sharks, one whale shark, or even no whale sharks no matter when you go. The Akaso Brave is a great GoPro alternative, and its only about half the cost. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. Lets dive in (pun very much intended), so that you know exactly what to expect when booking a whale shark tour in Cancun, Mexico. Reef safe sunscreen for Mexico is a must, but the way to be 100% eco-friendly is to opt for a long sleeve bathing suit (AKA rash guard). The viewing season begins in July/August when young male white sharks begin to arrive and the water temperature is around 75 degrees. Talk about a WOW moment This is it. The Isla Mujeres, situated just 13 km off the coast of Cancun, is one of the worlds best places to swim with whale sharks. If youre planning a trip to Mexico, you may be thinking about how to power. Note: The whale shark area is about 60 square miles in size (155 km), so it may take time to locate them. Overall, there have only been 40 shark attacks in the whole of Mexico over the last 400 years. Our boat captain told us the tour that went just one day before ours saw no whale sharks at all, whereas we saw 15. There are about 35 hotels in Cancun and Riviera Maya that Isla Fun Tours offers a pick-up from. While not considered a particularly aggressive species, the Caribbean Reef shark has been known to attack. The tiger shark, named for the distinct bars or spots that decorate its flanks, is one of the most formidable shark species in the world. Make sure you buy the non-drowsy kind, or else youll be fast asleep by the time you reach the whale sharks. Note: This tour operator does not offer a refund if you dont see any whale sharks, nor do most. The most distinguishing features are its large eyes and blunt snout. They have very tiny teeth, and have never bit a human. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a38bf50d0b9a8a56e2b1ee4161a2bcbd" );document.getElementById("ha6e1bc81c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Want to dive with whale sharks in Mexico? Continue reading to learn more about sharks in Cancun, including whether Cancun has sharks, what type of shark can be found in Cancun, as well as whether there has ever been a shark attack in Cancun, and more. For those traveling to Cancun, Mexico, during the June 1 to September 15 whale shark season, I cant recommend this enough. Check out these: Shark Repellent Band. If you use the same general travel safety measures you would anywhere else, you should be just fine. If youve never been snorkeling before, you might want to practice first so youre more comfortable. Note: I was not paid by this tour company to write a review. Overall, sharks are creatures that do not often include humans as a primary source of food intheir diets. Best Value Shark Cage Diving at Guadalupe Island, Guadalupe Cage Diving Time of The Titans Shark Diving, Sold Out 2022 Guadalupe Island Great White Shark Diving #2, Sold Out Guadalupe Island Great White Shark Diving #3, Sold Out Guadalupe Island Great White Shark Diving #4, 2022 Guadalupe Island Great White Shark Diving #5, Sold Out Guadalupe Island Great White Shark Diving #6, https://rw1.marchex.io/euinc/number-changer.js. In addition to the peaceful whale shark, there are around 80 other shark and ray species in the region, including potentially aggressive species like the bull shark, tiger, and Shortfin mako. At the area where the whale sharks hang out, we went in the water in groups of two visitors and one guide. Deeper waters at night are also not a great idea since sharks have terrible eyesight. The diversity is extensive, ranging from the little dogfish to the massive whale shark. As they say you get what you pay for so please dont book anything that costs much less than the going rate, as you dont want to skimp on safety since youll be on a boat in the open ocean. That is nothing compared to the number of shark attacks that occur in, for example, the US or Australia. The slow-moving whale shark prefers warm waters and is found throughout all tropical seas. You can also alert them of any dietary restrictions or accessibility needs. 100% YES! Electrical Outlets in Mexico What Do You Need? Anyone scuba diving or snorkeling in the Quintana Roo region is likely to encounter the Blacktip and can enjoy the experience in relative safety. First and foremost, two out of nine on our boat got seasick so do not forget your Dramamine pills. This is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of the Baja Peninsula on Mexicos west coast. I paid full-price for this tour out of my own pocket, and the opinions I give are in no way influenced by compensation of any kind. Please select OK to allow all cookies. We went in June, and still saw about 15 whale sharks, as well as a playful pod of dolphins on the boat ride to the whale shark area. While this number may appear overwhelming, keep in mind that most of these species are bottom dwellers living in deep sections of the ocean that you would never dare to investigate. It usually takes one hour to get there, but it took us 1.5 hours because of rough seas (remember your dramamine for seasickness). The tour company will provide masks and snorkels to those who dont have their own. They are giant in size, which can be intimidating, but they are docile in temperament. How to Avoid Sharks When Swimming In Cancun, Avoid Deep Waters At Night, Dawn, or Dusk, Avoid Swimming in Waters Where Seals Are Abundant. With the humidity, temperatures can feel 5-10F hotter, so remember to stay hydrated with a Water-To-Go Bottle, which also filters your drinking water so you dont get sick in Cancun. I was lucky enough to snorkel with a whale shark off the coast of Mozambique some years ago and will never forget the experience of sharing an hour or two with these peaceful creatures. Swimming in the tropical waters of Cancun inevitably brings you into proximity with various shark species. Been considering a GoPro? Your experience is only as good as your tour, so remember, you get what you pay for. Our guide (Uriel) made the day fun and memorable for everyone on board. On some tours, youll only be allowed to get in with the whale sharks twice. Still, when youre in a group, youre all perceived as a harder target, perhaps discouraging any hungry shark lurking nearby from approaching. Whale sharks are the largest known fish in the sea, averaging 25- to 40-feet in length (7.5 to 12 m), though some are even bigger . Ready to book your Cancun whale shark tour now? Fortunately, in areas like Cancun, the whale sharks economic potential as a tourist attraction offsets the market value of its meat and encourages locals to protect the species. Reading Suggestion: Are There Sharks In The Gulf of Mexico? What Are The Best Beaches to Find Shark Teeth in North Carolina? Group Tours vs Private Tours: Which is Better? The whale sharks love the warm Caribbean Sea waters off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, which is why they stick around for so long. Unfortunately, this island is not close to Cancun and will require you to relocate to Guadalupe in order to perform this activity. Diving with sharks is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Cancun, and there are numerous operators to choose between. Our commitment to showcase the incredible world ofgreat white sharks with a combination of 21 years of cage divingexperience, a cage system designed exclusively for non divers, top-notch shark staff andcage divingcrews with years of hands on shark experience.