# Whale Sharks in Cancún: When and How to Swim With Them

> From May 15 to September 17, the largest fish in the sea comes close to Isla Mujeres and Holbox. When to go, the official rules and how to swim without disturbing it.

By Alfonso G · Published 2026-10-17 · Updated 2026-10-17 · Season

## At a glance

- Season: May 15 to September 17
- Where: Between Isla Mujeres, Contoy and Holbox
- Distance: 5 m from the head, 6 m from the tail
- How: Only with an authorized operator

## The largest fish in the sea

![The spotted tail of a whale shark in blue water](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/tiburon-ballena-arriba.068wg_b_f2bp-.jpg) (Photo: Darcy Wheeler · Unsplash)

It's a shark, but it feeds by filtering the water: it eats plankton and small fish.

Mexico lists it as Threatened under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, and the IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered. That's why swimming with it has its own management plan, with rules for each season.

> *You swim beside it, never in front of it.*

## When

![Two swimmers in silhouette under the surface](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/tiburon-siluetas.2c_c7sn_6xdhe.jpg)

The authorized season in the Mexican Caribbean runs from May 15 to September 17, according to SEMARNAT's management plan for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons.

> **Tip:** These are the dates of the official permit: outside them there's no authorized swim.

## Where

![A pier with a palapa at sunset, seen through branches](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/muelle-atardecer.2uiatnbnktscr.jpg) (Photo: Corentin Largeron · Unsplash)

The plan places the activity in the waters between Isla Mujeres, Puerto Juárez, Chiquilá and Isla Holbox. The sharks are seen northeast of Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres and Holbox.

## The swimming rules

![The spotted back of a whale shark, just below the surface](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/tiburon-lomo.0qoeq-wuuc_05.jpg)

- Keep 5 meters from the head and 6 meters from the tail.
- Don't touch it, ride it or get in its way.
- Biodegradable sunscreen only, and wipe off the excess before getting in the water.
- No selfie sticks and no flash.
- No alcohol before or during the trip.
- One boat per shark, at least 5 meters away and for 30 minutes at most.

These are the rules of the management plan for the Mexican Caribbean. The federal standard, NOM-171-SEMARNAT-2018, adds that each guide takes 5 people at most and that you wear a life jacket or a wetsuit.

## How you swim

![A whale shark head-on, mouth open, underwater](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/tiburon-de-frente.1c4k-2p_m6mgl.jpg)

Only with an authorized operator. The guide goes in with the group, and you enter the water slowly, without splashing or jumping.

> **Tip:** You don't need to dive: the gear is a mask, fins and snorkel, with a life jacket or wetsuit.

## And the yacht day

![A person slides backwards down an inflatable slide into the sea](https://yachtvibes.com/_next/static/immutable/media/tobogan-espaldas.33yu774605m8q.jpg)

The swim happens on an authorized operator's boat, and the plan bans alcohol before and during the trip. If you'd like to pair it with a yacht day, tell us your date and we'll tell you what can be done.

## Questions we get

**Which months can you swim with whale sharks?**
From May 15 to September 17. It's the authorized season in the Mexican Caribbean.

**Is it dangerous?**
Not for the swimmer: it feeds by filtering plankton. The rules protect the shark: no touching, and you keep 5 meters from the head and 6 from the tail.

**What gear do you use?**
Mask, fins and snorkel, with a life jacket or wetsuit. Each guide takes 5 people at most.

**Can you drink alcohol?**
Not before or during the trip: the management plan bans it.

## Sources

- [SEMARNAT, whale shark management plan for the Caribbean (2025-2027, in Spanish)](https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/991864/PMT_tiburon_ballena_El_Caribe_2025-2026-2027.pdf)
- [Mexico's Official Gazette (DOF), NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 (in Spanish)](https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5173091&fecha=30/12/2010)
- [Mexico's Official Gazette (DOF), NOM-171-SEMARNAT-2018 (in Spanish)](https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5579132&fecha=19/11/2019)

If you'd like a day at sea during whale shark season, tell us your date and how many you are. We'll tell you what can be done.

The Logbook: https://yachtvibes.com/logbook

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- Departures: Cancún, Quintana Roo, México

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