Whale Shark Group Adventure from Isla Holbox
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Overview
Swim with whale sharks, the world's largest fish, and see other amazing sea creatures such as sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins in the waters where the Caribbean meets the Gulf of Mexico. Despite its name, the 45-foot-long (14-meter-long) whale shark is an animal that allows for an up-close experience with your expert bilingual guide. After a light breakfast, head out from Isla Holbox to swim with the whale sharks, then back to the mainland to snorkel and enjoy fresh ceviche made with the day's catch. Snorkel gear is included along with a light breakfast, lunch, beverages, and ceviche.
Inclusions
- Boat with GPS
- Cool drinking water container (please bring your flask)
- Snorkeling equipment
- Bilingual guide
- Light breakfast in Luuma: coffee, tea, fruits, yogurt and sweet buns
- Our famous ceviche
- Guacamole and mango for those who do not eat fish
- In case you do not eat the included food, you can take fruits from the breakfast table to the tour
- Soda/Pop
What to expect
Itinerary
Meet your guide and group at Luuma (Holbox) at 7am. Receive a short briefing and all the necessary equipment and enjoy a light breakfast before you head off to the pier and board the boat. Head out into the Gulf of Mexico on a 1 to 2-hour ride to find the whale sharks. On the way, might watch giant manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles.
Once you reach the whale shark area, enter the water two at a time with your guide to get to see these extraordinary giants. The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world at 45 feet long (14 meters). Your guide will show you how to observe and even swim with these wonderful creatures while respecting their habitat.
On the way back, stop near Cabo Catoche, the northernmost point of the Yucatan Peninsula where the Caribbean Sea meets the Gulf of Mexico. Snorkel the “cuevones” reef and look for sea turtles, nurse sharks, lobsters, squids, octopi, and other reef fish.
Finally, head back to Boca Santa Paula, where you can stretch our legs, have a pleasant swim, and enjoy the delicious ceviche.
A 45-minute journey brings you back to Isla Holbox.
Stop At:
• Yum Balam Reserve, Holbox Island Mexico
• Punta Mosquito, Holbox Island Mexico
Meet your guide and group at Luuma (Holbox) at 7am. Receive a short briefing and all the necessary equipment and enjoy a light breakfast before you head off to the pier and board the boat. Head out into the Gulf of Mexico on a 1 to 2-hour ride to find the whale sharks. On the way, might watch giant manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles.
Once you reach the whale shark area, enter the water two at a time with your guide to get to see these extraordinary giants. The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world at 45 feet long (14 meters). Your guide will show you how to observe and even swim with these wonderful creatures while respecting their habitat.
On the way back, stop near Cabo Catoche, the northernmost point of the Yucatan Peninsula where the Caribbean Sea meets the Gulf of Mexico. Snorkel the “cuevones” reef and look for sea turtles, nurse sharks, lobsters, squids, octopi, and other reef fish.
Finally, head back to Boca Santa Paula, where you can stretch our legs, have a pleasant swim, and enjoy the delicious ceviche.
A 45-minute journey brings you back to Isla Holbox.
Stop At:
• Yum Balam Reserve, Holbox Island Mexico
• Punta Mosquito, Holbox Island Mexico
Time of tour
7:00 AM
Meeting point
LUUMA, Av. Damero, Centro, 77310 Holbox, Q.R., Mexico
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Children under 6 are not allowed
- Note: Whale shark season is from mid-May to mid-September, but whale sharks might come later to the area
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Exclusions
- Gratuities
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
eherr85
August 2021
This was such an amazing experience. The tour guides, whale sharks, and food that’s included in the excursion all exceeded my expectations.
This was such an amazing experience. The tour guides, whale sharks, and food that’s included in the excursion all exceeded my expectations.Leigh_A
July 2021
My boyfriend and I had the most bad ass day ever!!! Pedro, our Captain kept everyone safe and well fed. Our guide was also a very knowledgeable older gentleman who is so well versed in everything Whale Shark that it was like an outdoor classroom!! We highly recommend this tour company 🇲🇽🇺🇸🎯👏
My boyfriend and I had the most bad ass day ever!!! Pedro, our Captain kept everyone safe and well fed. Our guide was also a very knowledgeable older gentleman who is so well versed in everything Whale Shark that it was like an outdoor classroom!! We highly recommend this tour company 🇲🇽🇺🇸🎯👏ksudela
September 2020
Wonderful crew and communications up to the point of departure. Really appreciated the time and attention paid by all, and the cleanliness of the crew and facilities. Also, very accommodating of our requests.
Wonderful crew and communications up to the point of departure. Really appreciated the time and attention paid by all, and the cleanliness of the crew and facilities. Also, very accommodating of our requests.montserratv785
September 2020
Increible! Gracias Willi y Christian por la mejor experiencia! Super recomendable :D PS el mejor ceviche lo encontraran en su lancha ;) A dream come true! The team is professional, safety is a priority always and we were lucky to see more whale sharks than usual plus dolphins, huge rays, and ma...
Increible! Gracias Willi y Christian por la mejor experiencia! Super recomendable :D PS el mejor ceviche lo encontraran en su lancha ;) A dream come true! The team is professional, safety is a priority always and we were lucky to see more whale sharks than usual plus dolphins, huge rays, and many beautiful birds. Thank you for a safe and fun experience despite COVID-19 and for taking the necessary prevention measures.Lenou
August 2020
My trip with VIP Holbox Experience to go swim with the shark whales was absolutely wonderful. Willy, and his brother who captains the boat are Holbox natives and know everything about the island, its surroundings and amazing ecosystem. We were greated with a delicious breakfast on the beach at Cl...
My trip with VIP Holbox Experience to go swim with the shark whales was absolutely wonderful. Willy, and his brother who captains the boat are Holbox natives and know everything about the island, its surroundings and amazing ecosystem. We were greated with a delicious breakfast on the beach at Club Mandarina before hopping on the boat.. ps: everybody wore masks, we were required to wear masks and were always greater with hand sanitizer and a big hidden smile:) We had to ride a long way to reach the spot where the shark whale were as they had moved away from the island. They however made everything possible to make the trip comfortable and check on guests. The swim with those colosal creatures was well worth it! What an experience! We then stopped at a spot to go snorkeling with tons of different fishes to follow and enjoy. There we were served delicious fresh ceviche that they prepared while we were swimming. We finally ended our tour in one of the most beautiful spot I had ever been: Santa Paula will remain on my mind forever! Such a beautiful lagoon, a wonder of nature, a magical place! Thank you VIP Holbox Experience!Dawn B
July 2020
This tour was so much fun. We had a great time. We saw 30 plus whale sharks. We also went snorkeling at a second location that was amazing too. And then we walked around a deserted area with tons of pelicans and had seriously the best ceviche I've ever had. Christian was our captain and he w...
This tour was so much fun. We had a great time. We saw 30 plus whale sharks. We also went snorkeling at a second location that was amazing too. And then we walked around a deserted area with tons of pelicans and had seriously the best ceviche I've ever had. Christian was our captain and he was a blast. Gustav was our guide and we enjoyed him so much as well. Overall - an absolutely amazing experience.