**Update**Diving with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres?

Who did you go thru? Any other excursions I should check out while I am there?

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Who did you go thru?

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We were staying on Cozumel for a dive trip. We originally booked through Cozumel Dive Academy. They booked through another 3rd party (we had to take the ferry at 5am, a 1.5 hour bus ride, then a 1.5 hour boat ride -- all totally worth it). I can't find any information on the exact vendor.

But here is some advice when vetting out vendors:

-- Ask them the size of the boat and max passengers. There are some boats that will carry 25 - 30 pax -- you do NOT want to be on one of these. We were on a 26' center console sport fisher running dual 300HP outboards. Our trip to the feeding grounds was 1 hour 20 minutes. Fortunately, we had a very calm day.

If you get put on one of the max-sized boats, you'll extend your running time by about an hour each way and you'll reduce the number of times you get to jump in the water. Plus, those bigger boats are harder to maneuver so you're at the hopes and whims of Whale Sharks in how close you get to them.

The smaller boats cost a bit more, but they are able to maneuver you in front of the swim path of the sharks. You get much closer and more swim time. Totally worth the extra $40 - $50.

After the excursion, you'll most likely be taken to the isla mujeres sand bar. They'll make fresh guacamole and fresh ceviche. Great time to have a few beers, enjoy the high of swimming with such huge animals, and get more sun burned.


During the actual trip to the feeding grounds --
-- sunscreen of all kind is prohibited. They will check you. No sunscreen until after you're done swimming with the sharks.

-- the smaller boats will move around the feed grounds, trying to position the boat to allow the closest swim with the sharks. They will yell a direction, you will have to jump into the water while the boat is still underway and swim in the direction they yell (1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, etc). Sometimes the sharks are vertical and stationary. This makes it super easy to get close to them. Sometimes they are swimming very slowly. They don't give a poop about you and are not bothered by your presence. Just don't touch them.

100% worth it.

I left from Akumal at like 5am and was after 6pm before I made it back. A long day but one of the coolest things I have ever done.

Only regret was not getting a Go Pro to get underwater picture/video.

Some people easily got freaked by swimming in the middle of the ocean and only took one turn in the water.

If you are a decent swimmer and they offer the option go w/o a life vest and just a wetsuit. It has buoyancy but much easier to swim around.

Don’t miss it if you truly have an opportunity to do it. We did it several years back and ended up towards Isla Holbox…which is how we discovered Holbox (pronounced HOLE bosh).

If you’re able, stay on Isla Holbox for a few days and enjoy the vibe of that little gem of an island.

Baw. Need to bring a gun. Maybe they will let you shoot a cobia off of one!

While spearfishing in the gulf, had the chance to ride both Whale Sharks and Manta rays. One of the top 5 experiences I have had in my lifetime. If you get the opportunity, do it.

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brave the brutal Isla summer

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This is worth repeating. Isla is amazing in February/march/April. It is fricking brutal in the summer.

Kay Tours

We used Kay Tours. Fantastic trip.