The Ultimate Adventure: Actually, Swimming With Whale Sharks In Mexico

Swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean weighing in at 50,000 lbs, is the ultimate adventure. Adventurous scuba divers around the world have this at the top of their bucket list. But swimming with whale sharks is an incredible experience that anyone can have. Find out about these fantastic creatures, and swim with whale sharks in an eco-tourist manner. And read my first-hand experiences of swimming with whale sharks in Mexico.

In 2016 whale sharks were classified officially as an endangered species. Even though there is no consistent global count of the number of whale sharks. Due to the impacts of fisheries, by-catch losses, and vessel strikes, the species are endangered. Combined with its long lifespan and late maturation.

Whale sharks have few predators because they are so large and difficult to attack. But attacks do occur when they are still small from aggressive sharks. But only killer whales can be a hazard once whale sharks become adults.

But the greatest danger to these colossal fish is humans. And one of the primary threats is the trade of their meat, especially in Southeast Asia. For example, they are not protected in China, where large-scale fisheries target whale sharks. Their fins are used for soups, especially in Hong Kong. Whale sharks are also hunted for their liver oil, used as a waterproofing treatment for wooden boats. Another reason to go swimming with whale sharks in Mexico is they are a protected species. And rules exist to manage interactions with humans.

The second-largest threat is when other species are fished on an industrial scale, and they get caught too. Whale sharks feed on the eggs of fish such as tuna and mackerel. Another threat is ship strikes. And habitat destruction and excessive pollution can harm whale sharks, such as floating plastic filtered accidentally during feeding.

With all the threats noted above, there are some reasons not to swim with whale sharks. But an article in Scientific American posed several reasons why you should go swimming with whale sharks. Amongst other things, it cited the importance of supporting the eco-tourism industry in countries that protect whale sharks. Since whale sharks became protected in Mexico, it has created a tourism industry for former fishermen. Instead of fishing for whale sharks, people earn their living from having a healthy and growing population. Whale sharks are not only protected, but local people now need to treat them well. From hunting them, they now rely on the population's health and ensure that swimming with whale sharks is a benign activity.

By imposing restrictions, it allows people the opportunity to get close to and observe these bemouths in their own habitat. Swimming close for 90-120 seconds to one of these gigantic creatures of the sea is an incredible experience of a lifetime.

To protect these incredible creatures, rules exist when swimming with whale sharks in Mexico:

• Only 2 people at a time, along with a guide, can swim with whale sharks.
• Each person is only allowed to swim with whale sharks in Mexico twice during a tour.
• When swimming with whale sharks, you are not allowed not try to ride, chase or touch them.
• You cannot restrict the movements of the whale sharks in any way. And must be at least 2m away at all times.
• Also, when swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, you are not allowed to use flash photography.
• Motorized diving equipment and scuba diving are not allowed. So, when swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, you can only snorkel with whale sharks.
• While snorkeling with whale sharks, freediving is also not allowed and
• While they allow biodegradable sunblock in some places, you aren't allowed to use any sunblock when swimming with whale sharks in Mexico.

As a frequent visitor to Mexico and to the Riviera Maya in particular, I'm always interested in exploring the many activities it has to offer. I've been to many, many spectacular beaches along the coastline; I've visited the best Mayan Ruins and swam in lots of incredible cenotes too. I've scuba-dived, snorkeled with turtles, paddle boarded, caught (and released) big game fish. And I've been to adventure water parks and dined out in some of the best restaurants. But, up till now, I hadn't ever gone swimming with whale sharks.

The next day, late in the afternoon, I received a call from Stefano saying that we were ago – there were still a couple of whale sharks in the area. He said that usually, he's able to offer a money-back guarantee but that he couldn't do that now. Although there are plentiful whale sharks to swim with throughout most of the season, this wasn't the case now. And there was a chance we wouldn't get to see one.

My tour, hopefully, to swim with whale sharks started early in the morning when I left Ocean Breeze Akumal. Our guide and driver were very hospitable as we drove to pick up several more people while heading north towards Cancun.  On the way, we stopped for a break to refresh coffee, pick up water, and any other extras we needed. Then we headed straight to the marina.

On arriving at the marina, we left the tour bus and relaxed with breakfast. Coffee, juice, fresh fruit, and a plentiful supply of baked goodies. Then it was time to gather our belongings and board our tour boat. It was a well-equipped, comfortable, and well-maintained boat with plenty of room. As well as easily accommodating 10 of us on the tour, there was a captain, first mate, swimming guide, and our tour guide.

Launching from the Cancun marina, we sped away north, speeding across the turquoise blue Caribbean Ocean. All dutifully wearing our life jackets, eager to get a sight of a whale shark. And also nervous about the prospect of getting to swim with a whale shark. On my tour, there were 3 people from New York. A couple from Nuremberg in Germany and 2 couples from Mexico City on vacation in the Riviera Maya.

While most of the group had shade, some seats were unshaded. A reminder to make sure you bring a hat and other garments to shade you from the hot sun.

Luckily, besides enjoying the beautiful scenery, I also had a friendly chat with Andreas and his wife from Nuremberg, Germany. This was their third tour to go swimming with whale sharks, and they described it as the best adventure they'd had in all their travels.

Unfortunately, 2 of the New Yorkers weren't doing quite so well. They'd had a heavy night on the tequila the evening before. And the bouncing around on the sea wasn't a good mix. A good reminder that this adventure takes place on the high seas. So if you're not sure of your sea legs, then taking some Gravol or other similar products beforehand might be a consideration. And definitely go easy on the tequila the night before.

Suddenly after about 80 minutes on the boat, we slowed down. The captain, guides, and potential swimmers were all scouring the ocean looking for the tell tail double dorsal fins indicative of a whale shark. A few minutes passed, and the boat accelerated off again. False alarm. After about another 15 minutes, the boat slowed a little as we approached an area with 3 other boats off to starboard. As we got closer, we could see that the boats were moving slowly in a large circle.

Our guide told us that there was a whale shark. Not only that, but I was going to be the sacrificial lamb. And the first person to jump in and swim with whale sharks, so I'd better get ready!

I was frantically pulling on my flippers, adjusting my mask, and getting my GoPro set up. While our tour guide reiterated the instructions, I would have to follow. "Don't touch the whale shark. When you are told to get in the water, make sure you swim towards a 45,000 lb bemouth of the sea. Listen to the instructions of the swimming guide who will be in the water too. When you approach the whale shark, turn to swim parallel to it and kick your legs hard to keep up with it. Stay 3 m away from it,………"

Next, I found myself sitting on the edge of the boat, legs and flippers hanging over the side, gripping my GoPro, with my mask and snorkel on. We were now in the moving circle of boats and could see a 30-foot whale shark moving through the water. Its vast mouth open just under the surface, and its dorsal fins slice through the water.

The captain circled the boat in a very wide arc around the whale shark. Then when the boat gets perpendicular to the mouth of the whale shark several meters away, that's when you're supposed to jump in. As we arced around and came level with the whale shark, I stared at it several meters away. And at that instance, the guide and captain both shouted, "Salto, salto, ahora!!"

High on adrenalin, I jumped overboard into the water and blindly swam towards where I'd last seen the whale shark on the surface. And then, I'm swimming towards this gaping 4-foot-wide mouth, with 300 rows of teeth, thinking what the heck am I doing. Just as quickly, I turn to my left as the whale shark comes level with me and remember the tour guide's instructions. "Kick your legs really hard." Then the next 120 seconds were entirely surreal.

I'm swimming with a whale shark. Incredibly I'm only about 12 feet away. This mammoth, 30 ft, 45,000 lb creature, with its gills spilling vast amounts of water as it filters its food. It was swimming effortlessly without a care in the world. I can see the suckerfish on the white underside of its body. The whale shark's body rhythmically glides through the water as I watch the white spots on its grey skin. I look from its head and turn to the right to take in the entire 30-foot length of this magnificent creature. Although I'm still pounding my legs along to keep up, there's an essence of peacefulness. The last thing I'd expected of swimming with whale sharks was an essence of tranquility. But that's what it was for 100 of the 120 seconds that I managed to stay with it before gradually it pulled away.

I came up and looked around and saw my boat quite some way off. I started to swim back towards it when the guide told me to stop as the boat would come to me. I looked around for the other person who jumped off at the same time as me. They were a long way behind and at the boat. I guess they hadn't had quite the same experience as me.

On returning to the boat, I eagerly checked my GoPro to review the footage. But something had gone wrong, and instead of a video, I had a series of frames. However, after everyone else went and had a turn, I then got to go in again. And while it wasn't quite as good an experience as the first time – you can see below the video I took of swimming with whale sharks in Mexico.

1. Using carbon-14 dating, scientists have determined that the oldest whale sharks can live up to 150 years. Not only that but like rings on a tree, whale shark bones have growth rings. One for each year of life (see image opposite).
2. At 40 feet in length, they weigh as much as 47,000 pounds, about equal to five elephants.
3. According to fossil records, whale sharks in Mexico have been around for at least 60 million.
4. Waters near Mexico's Yucatán, off the coast of Cancún and Isla Mujeres, have some of the highest concentrations in the world. An aerial photograph from 2009 captured more than 400 within an area of about 7 square miles. In 2016 scientists counted 1,100 whale sharks, and most come in July and August when bonito spawn and plankton blooms. This is why this is perhaps the best place for swimming with whale sharks.
5. Whale sharks are inherently solitary souls, only meeting up briefly to mate and feed together in plankton blooms.
6. Whale shark migration follows ancient patterns. But, seasonal and other climate changes affect their migration and the food sources that influence it.
7. Rachel Graham, a conservation scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society, was the first to attach a depth tag to one of the giants in Belize in 2000. One of the 44 satellite tags she deployed told her that a whale shark had dived 4,921 feet.
8. In 2007, another scientist tagged a pregnant 25-foot-long female nicknamed Rio Lady. Over the following 150 days, she traveled 5,000 miles, from the Yucatán Peninsula through the Caribbean Sea, south of the Equator east of Brazil. Ending up north of Ascension Island, roughly halfway between Brazil and Africa.
9. Evidence suggests that whale sharks can recover from significant injuries. And may regenerate small sections of their fins. Their spot markings have also reformed over a wounded area.
10. Scientists have shown that pregnant whale sharks can have up to 300 pups. Eggs remain in the whale shark's body, and the females give birth to live young. When born, they are 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 in) long. Evidence indicates the pups are not all born at once. But instead, the female retains sperm from one mating and produces a steady stream of pups over a prolonged period.

When going off to swim with Whale sharks, there are definitely several things you need to be mindful of and consider doing or bringing along. Including the following:

• If you're unsure how well you handle boats, make sure you take some medication beforehand, such as Gravol. The last thing you want before you go swimming with whale sharks is to be feeling seasick.
• Before your encounter with whale sharks in Mexico, don't overindulge the night before on tequila. And make sure you're well hydrated.
• Since you'll be in the sun for a long time and won't be able to use sunblock, take a hat, and other garments to cover up from the intense sun.
• Bring along your GoPro or other waterproof camera. You'll want to make sure you can relive your incredible experience.
• Although the tour operators have masks and snorkels, if you have one that works well for you, you may want to bring it along. When swimming with whale sharks, you want to make sure you are comfortable with your equipment so you can focus on the adventure at hand.
• Bring your adventurous spirit. While these are massive creatures, they are very docile. Don't be timid. Go for it and make sure you get to within a few meters (but not closer than about 3m) when swimming with the whale sharks. You don't want to get left behind peering into the distance at it.

Each whale shark you swim with can be identified from its pattern of spots. For photo identification, it's important to take photographs of a standard zone of the body. That is the part behind the gills and above the pectoral fin. So, if you take a picture of the whale shark you swim with, then send it off to get identified. But try to make sure you also take a picture of the left side of the whale shark. By taking a photo of this part of the shark, it is possible to analyze the spot pattern using software. This software was initially created by NASA for identifying stars and was then adapted to identifying whale sharks.

The software can compare your photographs with other database images. In this way, you can create a shark story, establishing its range and in which periods it visits a specific location. This method is very effective as it is non-invasive and inexpensive. As a tourist, you can help by providing photos and/or videos to researchers. And if it's a brand-new shark, you can sponsor it and give a name to it! It's a great way to have a fantastic experience swimming with whale sharks and help scientists understand more about them.

Swimming with Whale sharks is genuinely an incredible experience of a lifetime. They are amazing gentle giants of the ocean. And you know more about these mammoth creatures of the sea, including how to experience them in a controlled and responsible eco-tourism manner. Take the leap, and on your next visit, plan on swimming with whale sharks in Mexico. And don't forget to submit your whale shark photos and find out more about the specific whale shark that graced you with its presence.

About Our Blog

Exploring The Riviera Maya is Ocean Breeze Akumal's Blog. Here we explore the diversity of Mexico's best tourism destination to highlight the best beaches, cenotes, restaurants, attractions, Mayan ruins, etc., etc. We provide information to help you explore this spectacular part of the world and give you tips and tricks that only the locals know. Helping to give you the vacation experience of a lifetime.

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