--- title: Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya lang: en type: tour city: Cancún country: Mexico price: 176 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.84 reviews: 1284 duration_minutes: 360 duration_max_minutes: 600 languages: [cs, de, ru, pt, en, it, pl, fr, nl, es] free_cancellation: true guidekin_pick: Whale sharks, summer only rank_in_category: 10 of 46 (Day Trips) schedule_checked: 2026-09-19 data_updated: 2026-09-20 canonical: https://guidekin.com/mexico/cancun/tours/whale-shark-tour-from-cancun-playa-del-carmen-tulum-and-riviera-maya/ --- # Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya **Guidekin's take:** A seasonal boat day, June to mid September, to swim beside whale sharks in open water, with ceviche and pickup across Cancún and the Riviera Maya. Wetsuit rental and the marine conservation fee are paid on the day, and sightings are never guaranteed. 4.84 from 1284 reviews at €176 per person. ## Overview Join us at one of the world’s top destinations for whale shark encounters in the warm, open waters of the tropics. Experience the awe of seeing these gentle giants in their natural habitat a true marvel of the ocean. With over 15 years of experience, our expert team offers unmatched knowledge, comfortable boats, and exceptional service to prepare you for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Get ready to witness whale sharks up close! While swimming alongside them is an unforgettable thrill, it cannot be guaranteed. Your safety and the well-being of the whale sharks are our highest priorities, so swimming will only be allowed when conditions are ideal. Even if the experience is limited to viewing from the boat, the sight remains breathtaking and deeply memorable. ## Key facts - Price: from €176 per person - Duration: 6h–10h - Rating: 4.84/5 from 1284 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Ocean Tours Mexico ## Tour options Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page. | Option | Price | Guide languages | Details | |---|---|---|---| | From Cancun & Riviera Maya | €176 / person | Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Czech, Russian, Portuguese, English, German, French, Polish | Summer 2026: Whale Shark Tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya with pick up included Pickup included | | Private Whale Shark Tour | €793 / person (for 2+ people) | Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Czech, Russian, Portuguese, English, German, French, Polish | Private Service Pickup included | ## What's included - Fish or Shrimp Ceviche with totopos & guacamole(please advise of dietary restrictions) - Coffee Break - Round-Trip Transportation (Meeting Point at the Pier Excludes Round Transportation) - Bilingual Guide ## Not included - Gratuities - Souvenirs (available to purchase) - HD videos and pictures of your whale shark watching experience available in digital package. - Wetsuit Rental - Conservation of the Marine Fauna - ## Itinerary 1. **Puerto Juarez Cancun Mexico** (30m; admission included) - Your adventure begins at our private pier in Puerto Juárez. Upon arrival, enjoy a light coffee break while meeting your guide and the rest of the group. Before boarding, your guide will provide a safety briefing, explain the day's itinerary, and share useful tips for swimming... 2. **Isla Mujeres** (pass by, no stop) - After departing from our private pier in Puerto Juárez, you'll cruise across the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean. Along the way, you'll pass the beautiful coastline of Isla Mujeres before heading farther offshore, where the sea transforms into deep,... 3. **Isla Contoy** (2h) - Once we arrive at the whale shark area, the captain and guide will search for the best opportunities to safely approach these magnificent animals while respecting all conservation regulations. When it's your turn, you'll enter the water in pairs with your certified guide for... 4. **Playa Norte** (1h) - On our last stop, we'll anchor in front of the world-famous Playa Norte beach from Isla Mujeres. This idyllic spot is renowned for its soft white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant atmosphere. We'll share a typical Caribbean lunch featuring delicious ceviche,... ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 06:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-09-19 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point If you book without transportation (option meetingpoint pier) we will meet you at Flamingos Seafood Kitchen | Restaurant on Carr. Puerto Juarez Carretera a Punta Sam Km. 3.5, Juárez, 77520 Cancún, Q.R. ## Good to know - Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health - Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries - Not recommended for pregnant travelers - Suitable for all physical fitness levels - Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking (Vegetarian & Gluten free Options available under request) - Seasonal tour operating from June to mid-September - The total duration of this tour can vary, typically influenced by factors beyond our control. On average, the boat activity lasts about 5 hours. However, this duration may extend due to weather conditions, the location of the whale sharks, and the number of swimming opportunities. Additionally, the transfer time from your hotel to our pier varies based on your location and current traffic conditions. Including transfers, expect the entire tour to last between 7 and 12 hours - Sunscreen, even biodegradable, harms the coral reefs and other sealife, please apply only on exposed skin, beforehand (in your hotel) and after water activitie - minimum age as of 3 years old ## How it compares in Day Trips Ranked **#10 of 46** by Guidekin's weighted score (rating weighted by review volume). Alternatives worth comparing: 1. [chichen-itza-private-tour-from-cancun-and-riviera-maya](https://guidekin.com/mexico/cancun/tours/chichen-itza-private-tour-from-cancun-and-riviera-maya/?format=md) — 4.99 (340) 2. [private-tour-to-tulum-cenote-and-swimming-with-turtles](https://guidekin.com/mexico/cancun/tours/private-tour-to-tulum-cenote-and-swimming-with-turtles/?format=md) — 5.0 (239) 3. [private-turtles-cenotes-adventure](https://guidekin.com/mexico/cancun/tours/private-turtles-cenotes-adventure/?format=md) — 4.94 (489) Full list: https://guidekin.com/mexico/cancun/day-trips-from-cancun/?format=md ## More in Cancún - All Cancún tours: https://guidekin.com/mexico/cancun/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/mexico/cancun/tours/whale-shark-tour-from-cancun-playa-del-carmen-tulum-and-riviera-maya/ ## Query this catalogue with URLs Every listing accepts filter parameters directly in the URL, so you can hand a user a link that already matches their constraints. Combine freely on https://guidekin.com/mexico/cancun/: | Group | Parameters | Values | |---|---|---| | Language of the tour | `language` | any ISO 639-1 code an operator lists, e.g. en, es, fr, de, it, pt, ru, uk, tr, hi. 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