Whale Shark Festival 2011- Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Every year between May and September, the whale sharks gather off the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula to enjoy the warm waters rich in their favourite foods.  Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea, reaching lengths of up to 12 meters or more and weighing up to 36 tonnes!  Hundreds of whale sharks congregating in one area is extremely unusual, it’s a unique opportunity for visitors to Cancun and the Riviera Maya to experience swimming alongside these magnificent creatures.

The small island of Isla Mujeres is home to the “Whale Shark Festival”, an annual celebration of the “dominoes” as they are lovingly called for their spotted skin.  2011 marks the fourth annual festival, featuring local cuisine, art, dance and of course the chance to snorkel with the whale sharks and on the reefs surrounding the island.  The festival prides itself on creating awareness of sustainable tourism and the need to protect and conserve our oceans and the life beneath the surface.

Apart from the fun of sampling great food and enjoying the underwater world, the Whale Shark Festival brings an opportunity to hear presentations from experts in marine biology, the ecosystem and Mayan culture.  This year the esteemed biologist Rafael de la Parra of “Project Domino” presents his study “An Unprecedented Aggregation of Whale Sharks, Rhincodon typus, in Mexican Coastal Waters of the Caribbean Sea.”   Other speakers include Dr. Robert Hueter, Director of the Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory,biologist Beatriz Galvan a researcher for Project Domino, and Alfonso Morales, Mayan Archaeologist.

“Research and education together serve as the backbone for preservation.  We are proud such distinguished speakers will present at the Academic Seminars as part of the Whale Shark Festival,” said John Vater, who co-founded Ceviche Tours with his wife, Adriana, and longtime friend and Isla Mujeres native Luis “Cuco” Refugio and his family.

The Whale Shark Festival 2011 comes to Isla Mujeres July 15-17.  This is a family friendly event with activities for kids of all ages, bring the children to play in paradise and to learn how they can help to protect our oceans and wildlife for the future.

Enjoy our blog “Swimming with Whale Sharks” to read about a first hand experience with these gentle giants and check out our whale shark photos on Flickr. Book your own swim with whale shark tour and immerse yourself in a whole new world!

Swimming with Whale Sharks

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!!

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 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.

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.

Set Sail with Caribbean Carnaval Cancun Cruises

Looking for adventure on the high seas?  Join Caribbean Carnaval for a fantastic Cancun cruise!

Bring the whole family to enjoy the Caribbean Funday day trip to the beautiful island escape of Isla Mujeres.  Board the double decker boat in Cancun and set sail for Isla Mujeres while enjoying the ocean breezes and the energetic entertainers.  You’ll land on Isla Mujeres at a private beach club, “El Pescador” where you can enjoy a delicious lunch buffet, open bar and a variety of island activities including kayaking, snorkeling, bicycle tours and shopping (extra charge for some activities).  Not the adventurous sort?  Settle yourself in a hammock with a cold drink in hand and soak up the relaxing tropical vibes.  The party continues on the return trip to Cancun with high energy music and dancing to celebrate your day in paradise.

If you’re looking for an evening party cruise, check out the Pirate Assault or the Caribbean Carnaval.  Start the night off on a double decker boat ride to Isla Mujeres.  Enjoy the open bar with tropical fruit juices or your favourite alcoholic beverage while dancing and enjoying the antics of the entertainers on board.  Those aboard the Pirate Assault be warned, there´s pirates in them thar seas, you may just find yourself whisked away!  The party continues at the private beach club on Isla Mujeres with a fantastic dinner buffet, continuing open bar and a great show just for you with interactive activities and games.  This is not your typical “booze cruise”, it’s so much more with professional shows, exciting stunts and the friendliest staff in town.

On a personal note, (this is a real blog written by a real person after al!) I´ve done these tours a number of times and have laughed and danced and enjoyed myself immensely.  The buffet food is the highlight for me, you should not miss the fresh fish and the spread of desserts!  I always walk away eating far more than I should, but isn´t that what party cruises are for?  I can’t sing at all but find myself running to the stage for the karaoke contest every time. You’ve got to let your hair down, embrace the silly games and allow yourself to relax and enjoy this unique experience.  Let it all hang out!

Limited time discounts on Caribbean Carnaval cruises!  Book in October 2009 for tours up to December 20, 2009  and enjoy 20% discounts on all three cruises, Caribbean Funday for only $52 USD per adult (regular price $65 USD), and Caribbean Carnaval or Pirate Assault for only $63.20 USD (regular price $79 USD).  Three great tours at great discounts, contact Dtraveller’s bilingual customer service representatives to reserve now!

Cancun without Influenza virus

“Health State Services of Mexico confirmed that Cancun and all Quintana Roo region -Cozumel, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Riviera Maya- have been totally out of influenza virus during the last fours years, as a result of strategic measures taken by the sector”.

After the Influenza outbreak in some parts of Mexico, specially in Mexico City and Estado de México -about 1040 miles from Cancun- the different authorities are multiplying efforts to avoid an epidemic expansion. State authorities, integral hospital directors and Cancun General Hospital directors were gathered to unify surveillance criteria. A test will be applied to all the persons with the following symptoms: bone pain, runny nose and fever, To rule out all influenza possibilities.

The influenza is a highly contagious virus easily confused with the flu that mainly attacks children and elderly people. More than 24 thousand vaccines were applied to the vulnerable population of the aforementioned region last year.

The experience of women swimming with dolphins!

By Blanca González

The first time that I had the GREAT opportunity to swim and interact with Dolphins, was WONDERFUL. I heard people saying that it was an unforgettable experience and that they didn’t believe that I had never lived it –as I live in a place cherished by all tourists: the paradise of Cancun, where some dolphinariums are located.

Last May I had the chance to swim with 2 dolphins in Isla Mujeres. Besides a great ferry trip sealed by Cancun and Isla Mujeres beautiful views and an awesome Sunset on my way back; I had the chance to swim with Jupiter and Nala and a very peculiar group of 8 women and 1 teenager. Yep! Imagine a group of 9 women and a boy!

Indeed, I confirm that it’s wonderful to receive kisses and hugs from dolphins, but I also realize how sensitive and corny women can be –I’m included- because from the moment we saw the dolphins on TV to the moment we were in the water, they never stop to say things like “Awwww, HOW CUTE, look! A dolphin!

Many of my group shed tears when they saw the dolphins jump. Imagine that experience with a group of 9 EXTREMELY sensitive women. I remember that when a dolphin kissed one of the women, she started to cry and the other laughed at –or with- her.

I don’t know if we were just too sensitive but it was definitely and indescribable experience… Ah, I think that the trainer was also crying from time to time. I think that the only one that didn’t enjoy the experience was that poor pal; he didn’t understand why we were crying. Or…do you even understand?

Our Swim with dolphins tours in Isla Mujeres

For all dolphins’ fans!

By Martha Riveroll

Ever since I was a young child, my favorite animal has always been the dolphins. As I grew older and had the chance to adventure and travel, I certainly had in mind to swim with these adorable, intelligent and friendly mammals.

Indeed my dream came true, because I took my holidays to the Caribbean and had to visit beautiful and sunny Cancun. The dolphinarium that I chose was Dolphin Discovery, and the program was called Royal Swim. Wow, one of the best experiences of my life. We were just ten people in the water with our instructor. The names of our dolphins were Ixchel and Alexia

Once in the water, we had the opportunity to kiss the dolphins, hug them and of course they kissed us, first on our cheek, and then on our lips, just to have them so close and to see their eternal smile was amazing. The first part of the program was on a platform and then we swam into the water, and that was when the fun started. They gave us the incredible foot push; this was exhilarating because they pushed me from the bottom of my feet from one side of the water to the other. Here I had the feeling that I was standing out of the water, and going at full speed, my friends and the rest of the participants were all laughing, because I had a funny laugh. Immediately after we had the dorsal tow, which I had to hold their fins and again at full speed they took me from one side to the other. Thirty minutes went by so fast that it seemed like it took only five.

This is something that I will repeat, and my love for them grew even more after I had this once in a life time experience.