Your exciting adventure begins at our designated meeting point, whether you’ve chosen a package with round-trip transportation or prefer to arrive on your own. The excursion officially starts at 7:00 AM. Upon arrival at our departure port, located on Carretera Punta Sam (known as the ultracargo ferry terminal), our team will greet you, proceed with your check-in, and offer you a light breakfast to start the day.
💡 If you opt to have breakfast at your hotel, we recommend a light meal, as heavy food can cause discomfort during the boat ride.
🚤 Boarding and Safety Instructions
After registration, we’ll organize the group into pairs, with up to 10 guests per boat. Once aboard, our professional and friendly crew will offer a warm welcome and provide all the necessary snorkeling gear and safety equipment.
As our captain begins the voyage and receives real-time weather and marine updates, the sailor will give a detailed briefing, including safety guidelines. The use of life jackets is mandatory at all times—both during navigation and while in the water.
🐋 Whale Shark Search and Swimming Experience
The length of the navigation will depend on the whale shark sightings from the previous day, as this species does not follow a fixed route. To improve the chances of a successful sighting, we rely on spotter planes that scout the area early each morning and communicate the coordinates of the whale shark location to our captains.
Once the location is confirmed, we will set sail directly to the area. Travel time may range from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the distance.
Upon arrival at the designated area, the guide will organize the swimming rotation by pairs. Each guest will have two opportunities to enter the water and swim with these majestic animals. It’s extremely important to follow the guide’s instructions:
⚠️ Touching the whale shark is strictly prohibited, as it may cause them to swim away, disrupting the experience for everyone, including the other boats that rotate professionally through the area.
This process will repeat until all pairs have completed their swims and the group has had sufficient time to enjoy the experience.
🏖️ Playa Norte or Snorkeling at Ixla-Ché Reef (Optional)
After saying farewell to the whale sharks, we’ll begin the return journey to Isla Mujeres. Depending on the group’s preference, weather, and time available, we will either:
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Anchor at Playa Norte for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to relax, swim, or sunbathe in its calm, turquoise waters, or
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Go snorkeling at Ixla-Ché National Reef Park, a protected area home to a variety of marine species and coral formations.
Note: Due to time constraints and coordination, only one of these activities will be offered. Your guide will consult the group and make the final decision based on overall conditions.
🥗 Fresh Onboard Lunch and Beverages
While enjoying Playa Norte or after your snorkeling session, our crew will prepare and serve a delicious onboard lunch including:
- Fresh fish ceviche.
- Guacamole with tortilla chips.
- Sandwiches.
- Seasonal fruits
🥤 Beverages include bottled water and soft drinks.
🍺 Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase after the first swim, and only with captain’s approval.
⛵ Return to Port & Farewell
After this relaxing break, we will begin our return to the departure port.
If your tour concludes at Playa Norte and you'd like to continue exploring Isla Mujeres, you are welcome to disembark and return to Cancún via ferry (ferry tickets not included).
🙏 Thank You for Joining Us
We truly appreciate your participation in this unforgettable experience. If you enjoyed the tour and felt well cared for by our crew, we kindly encourage you to leave a review on TripAdvisor highlighting the excellent service provided.
💵 Tips for the crew are always appreciated as a gesture of gratitude.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
