Where to Swim with Whale Sharks: 3 Absolute Best Snorkel Spots

When I sat down and wrote out a travel bucket list several years ago, unquestionably the top thing that I wanted to do was to swim with whale sharks.

There’s just something so majestic about them. Whale sharks are absolutely gorgeous. Relatively little is known about them. And who wouldn’t want to snorkel with an actual shark the size of a school bus? (I know that last part might sound a little sketchy, but they’re incredibly gentle. Something like if an elephant-sized lion acted like a sleepy Golden Retriever puppy.)

The amazing news is that it’s very easy to cross this item off your bucket list and swim with whale sharks, but you have to know the best places to swim with whale sharks and when to be there. Little is known about the vast majority of whale sharks’ lives, including where they go most of the time.

But, there have been some relatively recent discoveries about annual whale shark feeding behavior that has identified the 3 clear best places to swim with whale sharks — unquestionably head and shoulders above everywhere else, in my opinion.

When and Where are the Best Places to Swim with Whale Sharks?

The best places and times of year to swim with whale sharks are Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres in Mexico from June through September, Donsol Bay in the Philippines from December through May, and Ningaloo Reef in Australia from March through July.

The current understanding is that certain organisms which make up much of the whale sharks’ diet like fish eggs, tiny plants, and other super-small things have certain times each year where their numbers boom in these areas. The whale sharks know that and show up, often in very large numbers, to feed while there’s plenty to go around. And, these three gatherings of whale sharks are unique in their regularity and in the number of whale sharks they attract.

So, let’s look at how to actually make getting to swim with whale sharks happen. I’m pumped up just thinking about it!

Is Swimming with Whale Sharks Safe?

First, let’s start with the biggest question most people have when they research where to swim with whale sharks: is swimming with whale sharks safe? Yes, swimming with whale sharks is generally regarded as safe if you keep a safe distance and follow basic snorkeling or diving safety precautions.

That means, in general, diving, snorkeling or swimming with whale sharks isn’t any more dangerous than normal swimming, snorkeling or diving if you keep a safe distance and let the whale sharks do their thing. There aren’t any recorded instances of whale shark aggression (it’s really not in their nature) [source], but since it’s just common sense to let a bus drive past you from a safe distance on land rather than get in the way, it’s the same deal with a bus-sized fish in the water.

Whale sharks are incredibly peaceful creatures and act like gigantic, graceful ocean lawn mowers that glide around feeding on tiny plants and other small organisms. So, humans are definitely not on the menu, and in my experience they’re totally content with you being with them assuming that you treat them with respect (which is usually the case for most marine life).

You’ll want to make sure that you’re comfortable swimming, snorkeling or diving in deeper water since that’s where the whale sharks generally hang out. But, many tour operators often provide life jackets or other flotation devices for their clients (and some regions’ governments may even require you to wear them).

Then, just make sure to keep that safe distance. Usually, the rule of thumb is at least 10 feet, but different areas may have different requirements, so always ask before you go. Touching the whale sharks is definitely not allowed, and also not a good idea because the oils on your hands can break down their natural waterproof coating.

Whale shark feeding — Whale sharks’ mouths are about 5 feet wide, but what teeth they do have are tiny and used only for filter-feeding teeny-tiny organisms. [Source]

Though, while you can’t touch the whale sharks, there’s nothing that says the whale sharks can’t touch you. Sometimes, a whale shark will be content to glide very close by you, and maybe even touch you. In these cases, it’s recommended to go “full starfish,” pulling your hands and feet back and in line with the rest of your body, kind of like how a starfish looks. Since the whale sharks are traveling at relatively low speeds, if they do bump into you, it’s typically not much of an issue, and I thought it actually feels like a little bit of an honor.

Now, where can you swim with whale sharks? Let’s look at each of the most amazing places to swim with whale sharks along with how to get there and what to do once you arrive.

The Best Places to Swim with Whale Sharks

1. Isla Holbox & Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Scores of whale sharks show up every year in the waters off of Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres near Cancún to feed on a mass of fish eggs and plankton, as well as to breed.

This was the site of my own first whale shark excursion, and the experience of swimming through a group of easily 100 (yes, seriously) whale sharks as they gracefully glide through the water on every side was nothing short of breathtaking.

Manta rays are also very common sights among the whale sharks, which only adds to the surrealness of the experience.

When to Go

June through September is whale shark season in Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres with July and August being the peak season giving the best chance to see large numbers of whale sharks.

Swim with whale sharks from Isla Mujeres — Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres is as beautiful of a beach as there is, and the marina to launch whale shark boats is only a few minutes walk.

How to Get There

Fortunately, these waters are not far from Cancún, which, as an incredibly popular tourist destination, has an easily-accessible airport.

Once you fly into Cancún’s airport (CUN), you can take a quick taxi to an easy ferry from Puerto Juárez to Isla Mujeres, or a 2-hour bus to the ferry port for Isla Holbox. Isla Mujeres is definitely the easiest island to get to, but Isla Holbox will give you more peace and tranquility if that’s what you’re after.

Tours do depart from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum or elsewhere in the Riviera Maya, but it’s going to take a lot of extra travel on the day of your tour to get to the whale shark waters which is taxing and may allow you less time in the water. If you’re here for the whale sharks, stay on either Isla Mujeres or Isla Holbox.

Local Whale Shark Tours

My favorite whale shark tours in Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox and Cancún/Playa del Carmen are:

Isla Mujeres: Isla Fun Tours
Isla Holbox: VIP Holbox Experience
Cancún/Playa del Carmen: Ocean Tours Mexico

Isla Holbox & Isla Mujeres Tips

Mexico really does a great job in the name of conservation of the whale shark, but that does mean there are a few extra restrictions here than in some other parts of the world. This is ultimately for the whale sharks’ and everyone else’s benefit, though, and especially important since whale sharks are currently an endangered species.

Swim with whale sharks near Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox — Whale Sharks flock to the waters off of Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox during the summer months.

Scuba diving was deemed to be too disruptive to the whale sharks, so only snorkeling is allowed (which still grants a fantastic experience). Flotation devices are required for everyone in the water, which usually means life jackets. That might not be ideal for more advanced snorkelers, but some tour operators do allow the use of wet suits (which sometimes count as a flotation device due to the extra buoyancy of air trapped in the suit). You’ll want to confirm with any operator before booking a tour if they offer wet suits, if that would be preferable to you.

Additionally, sunscreen (even the reef-safe varieties) are not allowed in the water with the whale sharks. This is a fantastic call in terms of conservation, but it does mean that you’ll likely be in the sun for a couple of hours without sunscreen before getting in the water. So, make sure to bring plenty of sun coverage (long-sleeved shirt, hat, etc.) to wear before it’s time to get in the water, and a rash guard to protect your back from the sun while swimming with whale sharks in Mexico.

2. Donsol Bay, Philippines

The Philippines is an incredibly gorgeous country, and if you can also swim with whale sharks in this paradise, that’s a definite win.

The Donsol tourism board claims that it has the most whale sharks in the world, which may or may not be true. But, it’s a relatively compact area that runs along the whale sharks’ natural migratory route with annual plankton blooms, so you’re sure to be able to swim alongside plenty.

They also place maximums on the number of boats able to be out on the water at one time as well as how many people can be in those boats, which goes a long way towards managing overcrowding.

Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines — Where can you swim with whale sharks? The Philippines is a strikingly beautiful country and a favorite migratory route for these gentle behemoths.