By Daniel Gingras
This year was my third time swimming with the whale sharks and observing them closely. It is such a wonderful experience to be able to see those magnificent creatures up close as they feed themselves and are accompanied by manta rays. Swimming with whale sharks is something I want to do every year and I am never going to get tired of it.
There are two places in the Riviera Maya where you can swim with whalesharks, Isla Mujeres and Holbox. Each is a thirty minute ferry ride from the coast. There are lots of different tours and options available so make sure you compare prices.
A lot of people who ask me if it’s safe to swim with the whalesharks and manta rays and my answer is always the same. It’s 100% safe. They feed almost exclusively on plankton and small fish and pose no threat to humans. They don’t care about you. The largest confirmed individual sighting was 62 feet long. It’s like seeing a school bus in the sea. It was very impressive.
Another question I get is can you touch them. The answer is no as you need to respect their environment. They are not circus creatures. The instructor asks everyone to keep their distance but sometimes there are so many whale sharks, they can be as close as a metre away.
I am always going to remember my first encounter with them and to see that wide open mouth coming at me. It is just indescribable. I feel lucky and special to witness such beauty. It’s a magical and unforgettable experience. It should be on your bucket list.
Daniel Gingras is the owner/operator of Los Tabernacos Sports Bar and Lounge in Playa del Carmen. He has lived in Mexico for 12 years