Whale shark swim

Every summer hundreds of whale sharks gather to feed in the open water between Isla Mujeres and Holbox, the largest gathering of them anywhere, and boats from Cancún and Isla Mujeres run out to swim with them. The season runs from about June to mid-September, at its best in July and August.

Boats leave early, around eight, and the ride out takes 45 minutes to an hour. In the water you get two or three turns of a few minutes each beside the sharks with a guide, wearing a life jacket unless you brought a wetsuit (which makes swimming alongside much easier). Dolphins and giant mantas sometimes show up too. Most trips stop at Playa Norte on the way back for ceviche and a swim, and you are back at the hotel by early afternoon. A dock and marine-park fee is usually extra, paid in cash.