Looking out of a window at about 30,000 feet down onto Isla Holbox, I started searching for large shadows under the water. It is whale shark season again in Isla Holbox! I recall flying over the Isla Holbox National Marine Park area last year. You could easily see the mammoth creatures from the air lurking just under the surface. And just as expected, we saw 8-12 swimming together and migrating north towards the park. I quickly became excited, for I knew it was just a matter of time before I would be swimming with whale sharks again!

Each year I guide folks to the marine park, Isla Holbox. It’s a day trip from Playa del Carmen where we go and actually snorkel for about 3 hours with the whale sharks and manta rays. On the way out to the area, there are generally pods of dolphins tagging along with us. It’s truly is a once in a lifetime trip to be had by all finding their selves here in the Yucatan between June and September. Whether you are 8 or 80 years old, this experience is for everyone who loves animals and adventure!!!

Be ready! Swimming with and next to whale sharks is not an easy task. We maneuver the boat just in front of the whale sharks so that they are coming right at us. . As they approach, 2 guests and I get in the water. They swim on one side and I swim on the other making video. Often I hold my breath and dive down under the animals to get a real feel for the enormous size of the whale sharks. After trying to keep up with them for a few minutes, we give that couple a break then the next couple come in. We rotate the groups of two in and out of the water, making sure EVERYONE gets their share of swimming next to the whale sharks.

As the midday sun heats up the Gulf of Mexico, the whale sharks take leave from the surface and head back into the cool, murky depths. We turn our boat towards Mexico and take off for the mainland. Everyone dozes lazily as we jet back. Even once back in the transport van, almost everyone passes out due to sheer exhaustion from swimming with the whale sharks. But one thing is for sure, we all return back to Playa with the memories of a wonderful at sea with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark!

Whale sharks are migratory animals that can only be seen in a few places around the world…and the Yucatan Peninsula is one of them. They follow plankton blooms, and in the summertime, the area between the Caribe and the Gulf form a huge plankton belt. This attracts all the plankton feeders like whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, and fish. Join us on a fun and sun-filled adventure that takes you face-to-face with with these majestic creatures!

Whale Shark Tour Information Here