Swimming with Whale Sharks
July 26, 2010 by Kelly McLaughlin
Filed under News, cancun tours, isla mujeres tours, tours
The "Azalia"
In a small boat flying across the turquoise waters off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, the sense of excitement builds as the captain reports with a smile that a large group of giant sea creatures has been spotted not too far away. Just what we’ve been waiting to hear! Our small group of adventurers are on a quest to find the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, and according to the captain we are just a few short minutes from fulfilling our dreams of swimming with these magnificent creatures. The sea is calm and crystal clear, the sun is shining and fluffy white clouds fill the sky as we get closer and closer to the “sweet spot”. We can see a small cluster of boats and as we get approach we get our first sighting of a fin peeking out of the water! Then another and another and another, we quickly lose track of just how many there are, even the guides and captain are in awe at the numbers, estimating there to be about 150 to 200 whale sharks in the area, we’ve hit the jackpot!!
Tiny snorkeler, giant whale shark
From mid-May to mid-September each year, the sea off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula becomes home to the migratory whale shark. The warm waters and currents provide the ideal conditons for plankton to grow, a favourite for the filter-feeding whale shark. Whale sharks are found in very few places in the world and nowhere are they found in such great numbers as they are around Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy and Isla Holbox, there have been reports of up to 450 whale sharks feeding in a group in this region. Whale sharks are technically fish, the largest fish in the sea. They can reach lengths of 12 meters or more, their mouths spanning up to 1.5 meters wide, and they can weigh up to 36 tonnes! Their skin is covered with a beautiful “dot” pattern, leading to their nickname of “dominos”. The spots and dots are distinctive in each animal, biologists use the patterns to identify individual sharks. Their mouths are full of many rows of tiny teeth, but they do not use them to eat. They simply open their mouths wide, allowing plankton-rich water to flow in, close their mouth and expel the water through their gills, trapping their lunch on the gill plates and pharynx where they can swallow it easily. The whale shark is still somewhat of a mystery to biologists, little is known about their breeding habits or migratory patterns, though with scientists tagging and investigating, we’re sure to know more in the years to come. It is known that they are “ovoviparous”, the eggs remain inside the body of the female and the pups are born live. In 1996 a pregnant female was captured and found to have 300 pups inside! Despite their size, whale sharks pose no danger to humans who choose to swim with them or dive with them, they are gentle giants, they mostly ignore the “insignificant” humans beside them, peacefully gliding by or diving into the depths.
Whale shark feeding on abundant plankton and fish eggs
Whale shark tours from Cancun and the islands are strictly controlled. Tour operators must have permits and they are monitored by authorities to ensure they are respecting the whale sharks and the laws. A maximum of ten people are allowed per boat, only two swimmers per boat may enter the water at one time, swimmers must keep a distance of 6-9 feet from the animals (though that is sometimes hard to control when they are coming right at you!), no touching is allowed, and life jackets are mandatory. The captains and guides are experts in maneouvering through the territory, monitoring weather patterns and ensuring the safety of the whale sharks and the people in their care. When booking your whale shark adventure, be sure that the operator is licensed, this is very important to prevent harm to the animals or to yourself.
Whale shark, ready for his close-up
Our day with the whale sharks was incredible, it’s actually difficult to express with words the excitement and emotion it stirred in me. Our captain Cheche and guides Imar and Eduardo were experts, full of knowledge and respect for the sea and the whale sharks. I lost track of the number of turns I took in the water, all of us on the boat had a seemingly unlimited amount of time with the whale sharks. I would be gazing in awe at one right in front of me then get the “tap tap” on my shoulder from the guide, showing me another coming up to the right and one more coming up from behind, I was literally surrounded by 10 meter long beauties! I tried to keep my distance, but on occasion with a wave or a current pushing myself or the whale shark, I was brushed by a tail or by a fin, the oh so soft skin giving me a shivery thrill. Snorkeling through the water with nothing in sight, then suddenly a giant, wide-open mouth coming right for me, I squealed through my tube thinking I was about to enter the gaping maw only to have him dive under me at the last second, oh oh excitement like I have never felt before. When the guide said it was time to return to shore, I said a wistful goodbye to my new whale shark friends, leaving fully sated and walking on air. This is definitely one for your “bucket list’, a must do activity, it’s a unique adventure that you will remember for a lifetime, I still feel like I am walking on air.
For more photos, please see our Whale Shark set on Flickr. Have you lived this thrilling experience? Leave a comment, would love to hear from you! If yo are looking to book this amazing tour, Dtraveller is happy to provide you with the ultimate whale shark adventure.
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