Whale Shark season is from mid May to mid September off the Coast of Holbox Island near Cancun Mexico. The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark reaches lengths of greater than 40 feet (13 meters) along with a mass in excess of 21 tons. Whale Sharks return to the waters throughout Holbox year after year due to the distinctive natural environment and timing of available food which takes place each spring and continues through most of the summer.
The Whale Shark is a filter feeding fish with a core diet of plankton and other tiny plants and animals and has been observed on occasion feeding on very small schooling fish. The environment around Isla Holbox are idyllic during the summer months as it is uniquely located close to the merger points of the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. This union of three oceans creates a prosperous seasonal explosion of life.
The Whale Shark poses no danger to humans on a snorkel or diving expedition. In actuality, it is a brilliant occasion to change the incorrect notion that sharks are man eaters. The Whale Sharks surrounding the Island of Holbox truly seem to get pleasure from and accept the human interaction and are rather gentle and slow moving. The experience of swimming with these magnificent fish is awe inspiring.
Isla Holbox provides the idyllic and closest land location in the world to come into contact with an encounter with these very sizeable magnificent and peaceful creatures with access only 20-60 minutes from the island by boat. Tours and expeditions from this Mexican island location have been featured by National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, Shark Diver Magazine and many others.
The typical Whale Shark swimming experience necessitates only a snorkel, fins and mask though most whale shark tour operators also call for and make available a life vest. After a briefing on suggestions and safety, you will take an early morning boat ride from Holbox Island to the feeding spots of the Whale Sharks where they idly graze on plankton close to the surface. You are then escorted in small groups or pairs with your biologist tour guide into the water where you swim along side one of natures oldest and biggest creatures, it genuinely is a Jurassic experience!
The calm and leisurely swimming pace of the Whale Shark makes access to these great fish comfortable for most people, children as young as 5 years of age and as old as 90 have swam with the Whale Sharks. The candid interaction with these amazing animals is a once in a lifetime encounter. Getting to the sharks is an adventure in itself with schools of dolphin regular and a range of tropical birds including; Flamingos, Pelicans, Cranes and a wealth of others local to the area.
If you are interested in this wonderful experience, there are a number of fantastic Isla Holbox hotels ranging from luxury boutique hotels to cabanas on the beach. Isla Holbox is a welcoming fishing village hosting a populace of around 1500 permanent residents, mostly fishermen, hoteliers and trip operators. Golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation on this sleepy Tropical Isle and biological playground.
