Swim And Snorkel Adventure

Overview

This six-hour trip run by Isla Fun Tours puts you in the water with whale sharks in the open ocean reached by boat from Isla Mujeres. You meet at the Black Pearl dock in downtown Isla Mujeres, behind the Perla Negra store, or at the Punta Sam ferry terminal if coming from Cancun. Hotel pickup is not part of this product. From there the boat runs out to the whale shark area, with reviewers giving varying accounts of how long the ride takes, from about an hour to an hour and 45 minutes, over open water.

Once the sharks are located, swimmers enter the water in pairs with a guide, a system several reviewers say works well and gives everyone a turn or two alongside the animals. Some travellers also report manta or stingrays at the site. After the swimming, the crew prepares fresh food on board, with guacamole, ceviche and light lunches mentioned repeatedly.

Snorkel gear, snacks, lunch, bottled water and soda are included. Alcohol, GoPro footage, transport on Isla Mujeres and hotel pickup are not, and there is a $10 USD per person environmental and dock fee payable in cash on the day. The pace is physical: you jump off a moving boat and swim in open water alongside very large animals. Travelers who get seasick should medicate beforehand, as many reviewers warn the outbound ride is choppy.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the dockCheck in at the Black Pearl dock in downtown Isla Mujeres, behind the Perla Negra store. Travelers coming from Cancun use the Punta Sam ferry terminal.
2. Boat ride to the siteThe boat runs out into open ocean, a ride reviewers describe as taking anywhere from about an hour to nearly two depending on conditions.
3. Swim with whale sharksSwimmers enter the water in pairs with a guide for close-up time alongside the whale sharks. Reviewers report multiple turns in the water.
4. Reef snorkel stopA snorkel session over a reef follows the whale shark swims, according to one traveller's account of the day.
5. Lunch and returnThe crew prepares fresh guacamole, ceviche and a light lunch on board before returning to the meeting point. One reviewer described eating at anchor near the Isla Mujeres beach.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape the day more than anything else.

• Seasickness prep. Reviewers mention seasickness more than any other problem, on the choppy outbound ride and in open swells. Bring your own tablets and take them before boarding.
• Fitness and pace. The listing asks for moderate physical fitness, and one repeat customer describes it as an adventure rather than a tour: jumping off a bobbing boat, then swimming strategically to keep a proper distance from the animals under welfare rules. It is not recommended for travelers with back problems, heart conditions, or pregnancy.
• Cash for fees. There is a $10 USD per person environmental and dock fee, payable in cash on the day of the tour. GoPro photos and video of your swims are available for an extra charge, which several reviewers said was reasonable and worth it.
• No sunscreen in the water. Sunscreen is not allowed in the whale shark area, per the listing. The operator recommends wearing a long-sleeve shirt for sun protection instead, so bring one for the day on the water.
• Food and drink. Snorkel gear, snacks, lunch, bottled water and soda are all included. Reviewers repeatedly praise the fresh guacamole and ceviche made on board. Alcohol is not included.
• Small group on the water. The tour caps at 10 travelers. Reviewers describe entering the water two at a time with a guide who swims alongside each pair, so everyone gets a turn while the rest watch from the boat.

Common issues. The honest downside is the ride: many reviewers report rough, choppy conditions on the way out, and seasickness affected several travelers even with medication, with one suggesting travelers prone to it consider a larger boat. One reviewer's trip departed an hour late. The listing states the experience requires good weather and a minimum number of travelers, and if either forces a cancellation you are offered a different date or a full refund. It is not wheelchair accessible, and the $10 USD cash fee, GoPro costs and any transport to the meeting point are extra.

Common Questions