The diving there is exceptional because the island’s proximity to the world’s second largest barrier reef results in diverse marine life. ![]() Roatan Island is another great spot to see the whale sharks, particularly between the months of May and September. The island is also home to the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center, which studies the population and movement patterns of the sharks. ![]() The island of Utila, off the northern coast of Honduras, is one of the most famous whale shark viewing spots, as the sharks swim near to the shore all year long, not just for a few months. Honduras Other marine life besides whale sharks can be seen in Honduras, like this shark in Roatan Like many options on this list, it’s best to visit and organize in person. The whale sharks are believed to most likely visit the area June to September and November to January however, this destination is certainly more “off the grid” than many others, so booking an excursion online to see the whale sharks here is somewhat difficult. The island is rumored to be Costa Rica’s best spot for snorkeling, as swimmers can see turtles, rays, and other species of shark, too. The tiny Isla del Caño, ten miles southwest of mainland Costa Rica, is a protected biological reserve with crystal clear waters. Also important to know is that dive operators can only work within the restrictions of the reserve, so it is best to book a spot on a trip well in advance, which might require picking up the phone and inquiring that way, or showing up in person if you have a bit more time to work with. Prices seem to be higher here than in Mexico (at around $200) as some of them are SCUBA diving excursions, not just snorkeling trips.īooking isn’t quite as straightforward, either: there are plenty of companies with tour listings online, but many do not display their prices or offer online booking. Swimming with the sharks is fairly easy, as several local tour companies run excursions with them. From March to June, whale sharks gather in the waters of the reserve to feed. The Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve protects the central part of Belize’s Barrier Reef off the southern coast. Cabo San Lucas: full-day whale shark swimming experienceīelize Belize’s teal ocean contributes to its reputation as the perfect island getaway.Day trips are also available from Cancun.In all of these locations, booking an excursion is easy! Whale sharks can be found around the Baja California region as well. La Paz, on the south and eastern coast of the Baja peninsula, sees whale sharks from November to May. ![]() Meanwhile, the tiny Isla Contoy is a Mexican national park which regulates eco-tourism including diving with whale sharks. Holbox is actually home to one of the largest whale shark populations in the world. From May to September, the whale sharks migrate south past the island, and the annual Whale Shark Festival takes place there every July.Īnother option, the nearby Isla Holbox, is 40 miles northwest of Cancun and sees the same migration as Isla Mujeres. Off the coast of Cancun is Isla Mujeres, a popular spot for divers and snorkelers. Mexico is home to several different whale shark habitats. Here are the best places around the globe to swim with whale sharks: Since they migrate, the best time to see them varies from place to place. While whale sharks are found mostly in tropical seas, as they choose to live in warm waters, they can be seen all over the world and on five of the seven continents. Whale sharks are filter feeders, so they use their five-foot-wide mouths to eat mostly plankton. Since they are so massive, they live in practically no danger of being hunted by predators, so they have life spans similar to and exceeding those of humans, ranging from 70 to even 130 years! Thankfully whale sharks are gentle giants: they have tiny teeth, and they don’t really use them anyway. These spotted and striped fellas can be as long as a school bus - 40 feet long or more – that’s up to three times as big as a great white! Not only are whale sharks the largest sharks in the ocean, they’re second only to some whale species when it comes to ocean animal size, and are the largest ‘fish in the sea’. Apart from swimming with humpback whales, shark swimming is my favorite ocean activity, in part due to how huge they are. Swimming with whale sharks is one of the most exciting and awe-inspiring aquatic experiences.
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