SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS IN CANCUN

When planning your Whale Shark adventure in Cancun, booking with a reputable and experienced tour operator is essential! I can't stress this enough!

We counted at least five boats that did not prepare the tourists with two very specific items necessary for this excursion: shade and water fins!

Fortunately, we did our homework and ensured we had all the necessities for the trip, ultimately leading us to choose Ocean Tours via Viator!

Here's what is included on your Whale Shark excursion when you book with Ocean Tours:

• Transportation - Depending on where you are staying, they will pick you up and drop you off. They have a small 12-person utility van, and whoever is on that van (except the driver) will be on the boat with you, too. We were staying at the Royalton Chic Suites in the Hotel Zone (watch our full room & resort tour here), and the ride to the dock was about 20-30 minutes.

QUICK TIP: There are NO toilets on the boat, so be sure to use the facilities at the dock area!

• Snack Items & water - When you arrive at the dock, they will have fruit and water available for a light breakfast. Once you are on the boat and have finished your 2 (possibly 3) jumps, they have sandwiches and soft drinks available. Last but not least, after you do a quick snorkel off Isla Mujeres, they go just shy of the beach, let everyone wade in torso/chest-deep water & break out some ceviche (super fresh & delicious), guacamole, and tortilla chips, to finish off the tour.

QUICK TIP: I would bring a few granola bars and maybe some jerky if you don't like those options. At the end of the tour, we worked up an appetite and were turning into Hangry Karens... don't become a Hangry Karen... bring something to munch on!

• All the gear - They will provide all the necessary gear for you. They gave us lifejackets, snorkel masks, and water fins. 

QUICK TIP: Even though they supply the fins & masks, we suggest taking your own. The risk of getting the wrong size fins and snorkel set or using someone else's mask is highly possible! These water fins fit excellent in a carry-on & are adjustable to fit all 3 of our feet sizes 7 to 11, and this snorkel mask also adjustable to fit my tiny head, to my son's big head.

• Pictures - Your tour guide will have a waterproof camera and will be taking pictures plus a few small clips here and there. You can purchase these pictures & clips for $50 (they accept cash & credit cards). They will give you a receipt and send you an email (roughly 7 to 14 days) with the Google attachments so you can download them.  

QUICK TIP: I would HIGHLY recommend you bring your own waterproof camera! We brought 2 with us! Nate had the GoPro Hero 7 & I had the GoPro Hero 8 . Trust me, you WILL want this camera for your tour! See the video for yourself 

• SOLAR PORTABLE CHARGER - We had 2 GoPros going and the batteries go quick, not to mention, this charger charges itself (on the go power!) Just make sure you bring the power cord for whatever device you are going to charge!

QUICK TIP: Make sure the charger is fully charged via wall charge for best results.... works like a charm, especially when you are needing juice for your camera to capture this amazing trip!

• HAT - Trust me, this is something you WILL want! Another layer of protection! Don't worry, if you forget your hat (like Nate did), they were selling some at the dock, plus the money they receive goes towards Whale Shark research in Cancun Mexico! Win-Win for everyone!

• HAIRBRUSH - I know this sounds funny, but anyone who has long hair WILL want this... you will thank me later for this suggestion! 

• DRY BAG - A must when going anywhere with water contact! We brought a towel, a change of clothes, our phones, a couple of granola bars, and a few other things that we didn't want to get wet. 

• CASH - You will need to pay the dock fee, it was $13 at the time for us & cash only! Also, they do take photos and videos of you with the Whale Sharks ($50), but you can use a credit card for this or cash. Plus, they have a few Whale Shark hats and shirts that you can buy... we got a hat ($10)! 

• SNORKEL MASK & FINS - They do provide these items when you book the Whale Shark excursion, but we normally will bring our own. If you don't bring you own snorkel mask, make sure to always keep track of yours and don't set it down. All the masks that they give out, look exactly the same & the chances of someone grabbing yours (if you put it down) is HIGHLY possible. We saw it happen a couple times... no bueno!

• DRAMAMINE - Don't risk getting seasick... they did have some when we arrived, but don't risk it & bring your own!