It’s so easy to fly off to an exotic country like Mexico and spend the entire trip lounging on the beach or sipping cocktails by the pool. While I’m certainly a fan of that relaxing atmosphere myself, there’s a lot to be said for getting away from the hotel or resort and taking part in some of the unique activities the country has to offer. And for a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, there’s simply nothing better than swimming with whale sharks.
Thanks to Viator, a company that specializes in helping travellers book the best and most original tours and excursions when travelling, I had the chance to take part in a whale shark diving experience with a group of bloggers from around the world, and I couldn’t have been more excited. The idea of actually swimming beside the largest fish in the world out in the open ocean seemed completely magical to me. But I couldn’t help being a little nervous too, especially when our guide started explaining the precautions we needed to take.
Our group was put into pairs and I teamed up with Alex of Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler for the event. Each pair would jump into the water with a guide in shifts and start swimming with whale sharks for as long as possible. Generally, the pairs swim between two to three times and when the swimming is over, it’s not because time has run out. It’s because the swimmers are exhausted!
Alex and I were the very first to jump in the water and we messed up badly. We swam in the wrong direction, caught just a flash of a whale shark’s tail and then floundered blindly trying to figure out where to go. We climbed out of the water feeling discouraged, but eager to try again. Spending some time watching the others jump into the water and seeing how the whale sharks glided along helped us see what we needed to do the next time it was our turn to try.
Sure enough, our second swim was absolutely spectacular. By jumping in the direction the whale shark was heading instead of the exact spot it was at the time, we were able to snorkel right beside the sharks with a perfect view. It’s impossible to describe the feeling of swimming beside such a magnificent and peaceful creature as it moved through the water, but the video that the tour company created for Alex and I does a pretty good job of capturing the experience!
Most pairs only swim three times at most on a whale shark trip, but since Alex and I had messed up our first jump so badly, we insisted on going once more at the end to make up for it. Snorkelling beside these massive creatures was something that I wished I could do all day, but we soon hopped back on the boat and headed to Isla Mujeres for a swim in the crystal clear water and a delicious ceviche lunch.
Then it was time to head back to our apartment and leave the whale sharks behind. But the memories are ones that will last forever! Whale shark season in Mexico runs from late May to late September, so if you’re planning a trip this spring or summer, make sure to visit Viator online and see about booking this experience. The minimum age for children is five years, so it even makes a great family activity as long as your children can swim well and ideally have tried snorkelling before. And swimming with whale sharks is sure to be an event that you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
Looking for other adventure experiences in Mexico? Check out this article from Ruth about Rio Secreto, a stunning cenote and underground river that offers guided tours to visitors!
Soozle says
April 2, 2015 at 4:40 amWow! You are certainly braver than I am 🙂 It looks like an amazing adventure though – and one of those maybe once in a lifetime experiences
Kathryn says
April 7, 2015 at 10:13 amLol it was a surprisingly peaceful experience but thinking about the fact that these were wild animals in the open ocean had my heart fluttering once or twice! SO worth a little nervousness though; it was definitely amazing!
Cheryl says
April 7, 2015 at 11:10 amWow that’s super cool! Looks kinda scary but probably such an exhilarating experience
Florence C says
April 7, 2015 at 11:28 amWow!! Sounds like a chance in a lifetime experience. I would not have the nerve to even attempt it.
Gizele says
April 7, 2015 at 11:57 amGreat pictures. Seems exciting!
kristen visser says
April 7, 2015 at 1:49 pmthat is too cool. i would never do it just cuz 1. terrified of being surrounded by water and 2. terrified of being close to creatures that size! but pretty to look at from a distance 🙂
jamie hall says
April 7, 2015 at 2:24 pmlooks amazing though i am nervous in the water
Lynda Cook says
April 7, 2015 at 4:34 pmWow what an experience, it looks kinda scary too but fun at the same time, glad you got to enjoy the swim!!
Matthew Tully says
April 7, 2015 at 4:46 pmThat looks absolutely amazing and something we will definitely look into trying on our next trip (Whenever that may be) to Mexico. What a crazy unforgettable experience.
Angela Stevens says
April 7, 2015 at 5:00 pmJust the photos alone make my heart skip a beat I snorkel in Cancun off La Islae Majeures if I ever saw a shark in the water with me I would die of fear.
Michelle says
April 7, 2015 at 6:01 pmWOW! What an adventure!
Cher says
April 7, 2015 at 10:01 pmYou’re quite adventurous to swim with whale sharks. I don’t think I could… but I would love to relax in that beautiful, clear water at Isla Mujeres. Reminds me of Nylon Pool in Tobago.
Dana Matthews says
April 7, 2015 at 10:25 pmThat looks like so much fun! What a way to spend a vacation day.
Helen Kempster says
April 7, 2015 at 11:41 pmWhat an incredible experience!! I am not that brave have a phobia of deep water. I am assuming that was very deep water?!! I have always wanted to swim with Manatee though. (more shallow water)
Doris Calvert says
April 8, 2015 at 4:48 amThat is freaking amazing! I love it, wow what an experience, it excites me just watching it and I want to jump in…adding it to my list, we swam with Stingrays and that was amazing too but after what happened to the Croc hunter it’s scary, the shark is a once in a life time opportunity!
donna snugglebuns dufresne says
April 8, 2015 at 6:44 amsome day i will travel and like you i wish to swim with dolphins soo beautiiful
nicolthepickle says
April 8, 2015 at 7:17 amWow, that looks amazing and terrifying. I would love to swim with sharks.
Gord says
April 8, 2015 at 7:25 amDefinitely something I would love to try!
kathy downey says
April 8, 2015 at 7:41 amIts not for me but Wow what an experience it must have been.
Dana Miller says
April 8, 2015 at 1:14 pmIsnt the ocean absolutely amazing? I long to swim in the warm water.
Holly Wright says
April 8, 2015 at 1:28 pmWhat an amazing experience that would be, I think I would be too much of a wussy!
Wanda Tracey says
April 8, 2015 at 2:10 pmWow! That is one amazing experience to have under your belt.I felt like I was right there with you because your review and pictures are so great! Thank you for posting this.
Karla Sceviour says
April 8, 2015 at 3:19 pmwow,how awesome is that!!!
loucheryl says
April 8, 2015 at 3:39 pmI would LOVE to do this. It would be an adventure I would always remember.
Ashley Costanzo says
April 8, 2015 at 4:53 pmThis looks like an awesome experience. I would love to try it.
Angela SC says
April 9, 2015 at 1:14 amOh that looks like so much fun! I’m quite envious what a wonderful life experience 🙂
Amy Lovell says
April 9, 2015 at 4:11 amWOW! What a adventure! Bet it was excilerating!
Judy Cowan says
April 9, 2015 at 9:03 amWow, what an experience! Something you will definitely always remember. Not sure I would be brave enough but if given the chance who knows 🙂
Susan Stirling says
April 9, 2015 at 12:32 pmWhat memories you are creating! Sometimes holiday beaches kinda meld into one in your head, but this is something you are guaranteed to remember always!
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
April 9, 2015 at 8:09 pmWhat an exciting experience. That will be something to tell your grandkids about one day. 🙂
ellen chevarie says
April 9, 2015 at 9:34 pmfabulous experience.hoping one day to experience the same.good for you/lovely pics
Kat says
April 10, 2015 at 10:52 amLooks gorgeous but you are definitely braver than I am! Thanks for sharing!
tammy ta says
April 10, 2015 at 10:54 amWow this looks crazy and amazing!
Susan Patterson says
April 10, 2015 at 4:28 pmYou are amazing to try this – I would be too frighten – way to go!
Debbie S. says
April 10, 2015 at 10:20 pmI would love to do this. I would probably be scared but it would be amazing to do. Absolutely amazing post. I will add this to my bucket list of things I want to do.
Stephanie LaPlante says
April 11, 2015 at 11:44 amHow awesome is that!!!! I’d be to scared. lol
Treen Goodwin says
April 11, 2015 at 1:27 pmwow what a great experience , i love the ocean i swam in it all the time as a kid 🙂
Aliya D says
April 12, 2015 at 9:39 pmWow, that is so awesomely, cool! I am jealous, but so thrilled you got to experience it!
Janet P. says
April 18, 2015 at 2:11 pmI’m not sure I could do this but I give thumbs up to you for being brave and having an awesome experience!
Elva Roberts says
April 20, 2015 at 4:21 pmWow; I think this would be the adventure of a lifetime. I know it would be a glorious experience and one not easily replicated. Kudos to you.
JaimeeM says
April 24, 2015 at 6:52 amOmgosh, what an amazing adventure!
Debbie W says
April 29, 2015 at 5:49 amLooks awesome, but I don’t think I would be that brave.
Jeannie says
April 29, 2015 at 10:09 pmWhat an amazing experience!
Anne Taylor says
April 30, 2015 at 12:27 pmOmgosh that looks like a one of a kind adventure! A tad scary for me lol
Carol M says
April 30, 2015 at 12:43 pmWow, once in a life time experience.