Skip to main content
Get Your Guide logo
Anytime
  • Become a supplier
  • Wishlist
  • Cart
  • Profile
    Menu

    Explore Quintana Roo

    Places to see
    Back
    Places to see

    Top sights

    Sian Ka'an

    Isla Blanca

    Extreme Adventure Cancun

    Laguna de Kaan Luum

    Isla de la Pasion

    Cenote La Noria

    Ruta de los Cenotes

    Moon Palace Cancun

    Riviera Cancun Golf & Resorts

    Go Grand Outlet Riviera Maya

    Cenote Siete Bocas

    Passion Island, México

    Attraction types

    Day trips

    Archaeology

    Shore excursions

    National parks

    Theme & amusement parks

    Neighborhood tours

    Wellness & spas

    Zoos & aquariums

    Museums & exhibitions

    Cities

    Cancún

    Tulum

    Playa del Carmen

    Akumal

    Puerto Morelos

    San Miguel de Cozumel

    Bacalar

    Holbox

    Puerto Aventuras

    Mahahual

    Outside Quintana Roo

    Nearby destinations

    Riviera Maya tours

    Yucatán tours

    Isla Mujeres tours

    Cozumel tours

    Lázaro Cárdenas (Municipality) tours

    Petén Department tours

    Nearby sights

    Chichén ItzáAttraction in Piste, Mexico, Mexico

    Tikal RuinsAttraction in Flores, Guatemala, Guatemala

    Cenote Ik KilAttraction in Xcalacoop, Mexico

    Zona Arqueológica de UxmalAttraction in Uxmal, Mexico

    Usumacinta River

    Cenotes Hacienda MucuychéAttraction in Abala, Mexico

    Things to do
    Back
    Things to do

    Top experiences

    Cenote tours

    Swimming with turtles

    Jeep & 4WD tours

    Swim with dolphins

    Dolphin & whale watching

    Horse riding

    Monkey experiences

    Fishing tours

    Chocolate tours & workshops

    Arts & crafts workshops

    Manta ray tours

    River rafting

    Interests

    Sightseeing

    Driving experiences

    Safaris & wildlife activities

    Rainy-day activities

    Traveler type

    Family-friendly activities

    Activities for couples

    For adults

    Solo travelers' tours

  • Explore Quintana Roo
  • Places to see
  • Things to do
  • Top sights
  • Attraction types
  • Cities
  • Outside Quintana Roo

Sian Ka'an

Isla Blanca

Extreme Adventure Cancun

Laguna de Kaan Luum

Isla de la Pasion

Cenote La Noria

Ruta de los Cenotes

Moon Palace Cancun

Riviera Cancun Golf & Resorts

Go Grand Outlet Riviera Maya

Cenote Siete Bocas

Passion Island, México

Day trips

Archaeology

Shore excursions

National parks

Theme & amusement parks

Neighborhood tours

Wellness & spas

Zoos & aquariums

Museums & exhibitions

Cancún

Tulum

Playa del Carmen

Akumal

Puerto Morelos

San Miguel de Cozumel

Bacalar

Holbox

Puerto Aventuras

Mahahual

Nearby destinations

Riviera Maya tours

Yucatán tours

Isla Mujeres tours

Cozumel tours

Lázaro Cárdenas (Municipality) tours

Petén Department tours

Nearby sights

Chichén ItzáAttraction in Piste, Mexico, Mexico

Tikal RuinsAttraction in Flores, Guatemala, Guatemala

Cenote Ik KilAttraction in Xcalacoop, Mexico

Zona Arqueológica de UxmalAttraction in Uxmal, Mexico

Usumacinta River

Cenotes Hacienda MucuychéAttraction in Abala, Mexico

  • Top experiences
  • Interests
  • Traveler type

Cenote tours

Swimming with turtles

Jeep & 4WD tours

Swim with dolphins

Dolphin & whale watching

Horse riding

Monkey experiences

Fishing tours

Chocolate tours & workshops

Arts & crafts workshops

Manta ray tours

River rafting

Sightseeing

Driving experiences

Safaris & wildlife activities

Rainy-day activities

Family-friendly activities

Activities for couples

For adults

Solo travelers' tours

Cancun or Riviera Maya: Whale Shark Tour & Playa Norte Beach

4.4217687 out of 5 stars
4.4
4.4217687 out of 5 stars
147 reviews
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Cancun or Riviera Maya: Whale Shark Tour & Playa Norte Beach
4.4217687 out of 5 stars
4.4
4.4217687 out of 5 stars
147 reviews

Swim beside the ocean’s gentle giants on a boat trip from Cancun or the Riviera Maya. Witness the world's largest concentration of whale sharks, enjoy snorkeling, and relax on Playa Norte beach.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 5 - 6 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Pickup optional
Pickup is from your accommodation, hotel, or Airbnb located in the south of Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, or Kantenah. Please be at the lobby 5 minutes before the pickup time in your confirmation e-mail.
Wheelchair accessible

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

L
Lauri avis – United States

Not great whale showing. One whale shark and murky water… nit your fault but it was very expensive for the amount of whale time. Photos from guide are majorly overpriced! They were not delivered online in the time they said. Our guide was great! Our ceviche was great. Someone got sick and passed out on the boat. There should be at least a small first aid kit on each boat!

L
Lisa – United Kingdom

Very well organised, breakfast was light but thats expected with a long boat journey ahead! Be prepared for a 1-5hr boat journey depending on how lucky you get! The guide tries their best to find the whale sharks and we spent 4hrs searching! But we were successful and it was all worth it! Although there is shade, sometimes not enough for everyone so wear sun protection/take a cover! We didnt have time to go to the island so instead they took us to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world so for me this was a bonus! Definitely recommend!

Select participants and date

Participants

Highlights

  • See the largest concentration of whale sharks in the world
  • Snorkel beside the earth's biggest fish
  • Discover amazing sea life in its natural habitat
  • Relax on Playa Norte beach after the swim

Full description

Swim with the largest concentration of whale sharks in the world, just north of Isla Contoy, on this cruise from Cancun or Riviera Maya. Enjoy up to three snorkel or swim immersions with sharks and even spot manta rays and dolphins. Finish with a visit to Playa Norte Beach in Isla Mujeres.

Start your tour with early morning pickup from any hotel or Airbnb in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum. Head towards the all-new private marina located at the Punta Sam Ferry Terminal in Cancun for a quick check-in. Before boarding, enjoy pastries with coffee while listening to the instructions and safety briefing. 

Once in the boat, get kitted out with mandatory life vests and full snorkeling gear. All boats depart at 8 AM and navigate for approximately 45 minutes to the whale shark area north of Contoy. Once you have found the sharks, begin the swimming and snorkeling. Enjoy 2 to 3 immersions per person always with 2 people and 1 guide in the water. Spend a full 2.5 hours in total with the Whale Sharks, also observing Manta Rays, Dolphins, and Turtles. 

After swimming with the sharks, make a final stop in beautiful Playa Norte beach in Isla Mujeres, considered one of the 20 most beautiful beaches in the world. Here, the boats will remain for about 1 hour for you to relax on the beach or do some more snorkeling. Return to Cancun at around 1 PM where the transportation will take you back to your hotel or Airbnb.

Includes

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if selected)
  • Snorkeling gear
  • 2 to 3 dives per person with the whale sharks
  • Playa Norte beach visit after the dives
  • Pastries and coffee
  • Water and soft drinks
  • Mandatory Federal Dock fee (20 USD per person)
  • Mandatory National Park fee (20 USD per person)
  • Tips

Not suitable for

  • Children under 3 years
  • Pregnant women
  • People with back problems
  • People with mobility impairments

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen

Know before you go

  •  This tour is subject to weather condition
  •  Pregnant women are not allowed for safety reasons and as per federal regulations.
  • Even thought the probability of seeing whale sharks is very high, we cannot guarantee sightings.
Save up to 20%

From $195 $156 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 147 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Transportation
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.1/5

Customer photos

Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
Media collage
+17
Filter
By star rating
Sort by:
Recommended
Recommended
Most recent
Highest rated
Lowest rated
L
Lauri avis – United StatesAugust 22, 2024 – Verified booking
Not great whale showing. One whale shark and murky water… nit your fault but it was very expensive for the amount of whale time. Photos from guide are majorly overpriced! They were not delivered online in the time they said. Our guide was great! Our ceviche was great. Someone got sick and passed out on the boat. There should be at least a small first aid kit on each boat!
L
Lisa – United KingdomSeptember 16, 2024 – Verified booking
Very well organised, breakfast was light but thats expected with a long boat journey ahead! Be prepared for a 1-5hr boat journey depending on how lucky you get! The guide tries their best to find the whale sharks and we spent 4hrs searching! But we were successful and it was all worth it! Although there is shade, sometimes not enough for everyone so wear sun protection/take a cover! We didnt have time to go to the island so instead they took us to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world so for me this was a bonus! Definitely recommend!
E
Emily – United KingdomSeptember 22, 2024 – Verified booking
Best day of our lives so far! We go to swim with 2 whale sharks and spot dolphins & turtles from the boat! Isla Mujeres is also incredible!

Product ID: 342021

Activity provider:Contoy Adventures
  • Mexico
  • Quintana Roo
  • Punta Sam Ferry Terminal

Top Attractions in Quintana Roo

  • 1Coco Bongo, Cancún
  • 2Cancun International Airport
  • 3Cancun ADO Bus Station
  • 4Archeological Zone of Tulum
  • 5Casa Tortuga Cenote
  • 6Coba
  • 7Aquaworld Cancun
  • 8Dolphin Discovery, Cancún
  • 9Cancún Underwater Museum
  • 10Akumal Monkey Sanctuary
  • 11Akumal Beach
  • 12El Castillo, Tulum
  • 13Captain Hook Pirate Ship
  • 14Croco Cun Zoo
  • 15Cenote Dos Ojos
  • 16Tulum National Park
  • 17Xoximilco Park
  • 18Aktun Chen Natural Park
  • 19Interactive Aquarium, Cancún
  • 20Gran Cenote, Riviera Maya

Experiences in Quintana Roo

  • 1Quintana Roo Lucha Libre wrestling shows
  • 2Quintana Roo Rainy-day activities
  • 3Quintana Roo Day trips
  • 4Quintana Roo Entry tickets
  • 5Quintana Roo Air & helicopter tours
  • 6Quintana Roo Family-friendly activities
  • 7Quintana Roo Zoos & aquariums
  • 8Quintana Roo Water parks
  • 9Quintana Roo Dolphin & whale watching
  • 10Quintana Roo Mayan Ruins
  • 11Quintana Roo Theme & amusement parks
  • 12Quintana Roo Culture & history
  • 13Quintana Roo Swim with dolphins
  • 14Quintana Roo Cruises & boat tours
  • 15Quintana Roo Markets, bazaars, & souks
  • 16Quintana Roo Plantation & farm tours
  • 17Quintana Roo Arts & crafts workshops
  • 18Quintana Roo Chocolate tours & workshops
  • 19Quintana Roo Massage experiences
  • 20Quintana Roo Jet Skis

Tours in Mexico

  • 1Mexico City Tours
  • 2Cancún Tours
  • 3Playa del Carmen Tours
  • 4Tulum Tours
  • 5Guadalajara Tours
  • 6Puerto Vallarta Tours
  • 7Mérida Tours
  • 8Santiago de Querétaro Tours
  • 9Monterrey Tours
  • 10Cabo San Lucas Tours
  • 11Puerto Escondido Tours
  • 12Bacalar Tours
  • 13San Miguel de Allende Tours
  • 14Mazatlan Tours
  • 15Puebla Tours
  • 16Holbox Tours
  • 17Guanajuato City Tours
  • 18Veracruz Tours
  • 19Oaxaca de Juarez Tours
  • 20Ensenada Tours

Things to do in Mexico

  • 1Things to do in Mexico City
  • 2Things to do in Cancún
  • 3Things to do in Playa del Carmen
  • 4Things to do in Tulum
  • 5Things to do in Guadalajara
  • 6Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
  • 7Things to do in Mérida
  • 8Things to do in Santiago de Querétaro
  • 9Things to do in Monterrey
  • 10Things to do in Cabo San Lucas
  • 11Things to do in Puerto Escondido
  • 12Things to do in Bacalar
  • 13Things to do in San Miguel de Allende
  • 14Things to do in Mazatlan
  • 15Things to do in Puebla
  • 16Things to do in Holbox
  • 17Things to do in Guanajuato City
  • 18Things to do in Veracruz
  • 19Things to do in Oaxaca de Juarez
  • 20Things to do in Ensenada

Top destinations

  • Paris
  • Rome
  • Barcelona
  • Amsterdam
  • Prague
  • London
  • Dubai
  • Marrakesh
  • Milan
  • Budapest
  • Vienna
  • Lisbon
  • Venice
  • Istanbul
  • Florence
  • Madrid
  • New York City
  • Seville
  • Málaga
  • Berlin

Top attraction categories

  • Amsterdam Cruises & boat tours
  • Budapest Cruises & boat tours
  • Paris Cruises & boat tours
  • Paris Hop-on Hop-off tours
  • Venice Gondola tours
  • Berlin Cruises & boat tours
  • Rome Hop-on Hop-off tours
  • Paris Family-friendly activities
  • Paris City cards
  • Paris Shows & musicals
  • Rome City cards
  • Tokyo Sumo experiences
  • London Harry Potter tours
  • Hamburg Cruises & boat tours
  • Vienna Concerts & operas
  • Prague Cruises & boat tours
  • Berlin Shows & musicals
  • Marrakesh Balloon tours
  • New York City City cards
  • Amsterdam City cards

Popular Attractions

  • Caminito del Rey
  • Sagrada Familia
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Seine River
  • Vatican Museums
  • Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau
  • Disneyland Paris
  • Louvre Museum
  • Colosseum
  • Pompeii Archaeological Site
  • Warner Bros. Studio London
  • Moulin Rouge
  • Mount Vesuvius
  • Alhambra
  • Lake Como
  • Palace of Versailles
  • Mount Etna
  • Notre Dame Cathedral
  • Last Supper
  • Park Güell
  • Mexico
  • Quintana Roo
  • Punta Sam Ferry Terminal
Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
  • Contact
  • Legal Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies and Marketing Preferences
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Information according to the Digital Services Act
  • Sitemap
  • Do not Sell or Share my Personal Information
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Gift Cards
  • Explorer
  • As a Supply Partner
  • As a Content Creator
  • As an Affiliate Partner
Paypal
Mastercard
Visa
Maestro
American Express
Jcb
Discover
Klarna
Google Pay
Apple Pay
Ideal
Bancontact

© 2008 – 2025 GetYourGuide. Made in Zurich & Berlin.

Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn