Cancun And Playa Pickup, 7 Hours

Overview

This seven-hour trip from Contoy Excursions pairs hotel pickup in Cancun or Playa del Carmen with a boat run out of Punta Sam port. After an early start, the boat heads out to the whale shark feeding area, where swimmers take short turns in the water alongside the animals. Reviewers describe the time beside the sharks as brief, a matter of minutes rather than a long swim, with the rest of the day spent on the boat and at a lunch stop.

Food is a recurring highlight: fresh ceviche is mentioned again and again, along with guacamole, sandwiches or fish, plus snacks, water and soft drinks on the boat. Snorkeling gear, a bilingual guide and hotel drop-off are all part of the package.

The tour suits confident swimmers best. One reviewer who does not swim well reported that a guide held her hand in the water with a life vest, so nervous swimmers are not automatically excluded. The minimum age is 8, children need an adult with them, and the group is capped at 20 travellers.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup is included from hotels in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
2. Arrive at Punta SamThe boat departs from the port at Punta Sam, where the port fee and whale shark protected area entrance fee are paid in cash, since there is no ATM at the port. Travellers making their own way should be there at 7:30 AM.
3. Boat to the whale shark areaA boat ride out to the whale shark protected area where the animals feed. Reviews mention the ride taking around an hour, longer and bumpier when the sea is choppy.
4. Snorkel with whale sharksSwimmers take turns in the water beside the sharks, with guides on hand. Reviews describe the in-water time as short, a few minutes per turn, so most of the day is spent on the boat.
5. Isla Mujeres stopThe usual second stop is shallow water or a beach near Isla Mujeres for lunch and swimming.
6. Return and drop-offThe activity ends back at Punta Sam, with hotel drop-off included. The full tour runs seven hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in reviews and in the listing, and knowing them in advance changes how the day feels.

• Bring cash. The whale shark protected area admission of US$15 per person and US$10 per person in government fees are not included and must be paid at the port, for a total of US$30 per person. There is no ATM at the port, so this has to be cash carried on the day.
• Short swims. Reviewers often mention that time in the water with the sharks is brief, just a few minutes. The rest of the day is spent on the boat between rides, so set expectations accordingly before booking.
• Choppy rides. Several travellers reported rough, bumpy crossings with seasickness.
• Swimming ability. Confident swimmers get the most from the water turns, and reviewers are direct about that split.
• What to bring. The listing recommends a swimsuit, a long sleeve shirt, sunscreen and a waterproof camera.
• Season and group size. Groups are capped at 20 travellers.

Common issues. The main complaints in reviews are the short in-water time relative to the long boat rides and seasickness on choppy days. The port fees of US$30 per person are payable in cash on the day. One reviewer reported a missed hotel pickup after earlier passengers ran late, though the booking was refunded. Sightings are never guaranteed, and one group saw no whale sharks at all, even though the crew still ran the Isla Mujeres stop and lunch. The listing also excludes pregnant travellers, people with serious heart or back problems, and wheelchair users, and the minimum age is 8.

Common Questions