Swimming with Whale Sharks

A cloudless sky, not a breath of wind and a calm sea, it is the perfect summer day to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, to swim with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark.

Hundreds of these gentle giants gather in the plankton-rich waters of the northern Mexican Caribbean from May to September in what biologists say is the largest gathering in the world. There are two whale shark feeding grounds: the area between Holbox and Cabo Catoche and “blue water,” a stretch of deeper water to the east of Contoy and Isla Mujeres. Part of the area has been declared a marine biosphere reserve by the Mexican government and is also a refuge for sea turtles, dolphins, sailfish and manta rays.

With a small group of fellow nature lovers you’ll board a boat bound for the whale shark feeding grounds, a journey of at least two hours. Suddenly fins are spotted and an immense dappled grey fish the size of a bus glides serenely past your boat, its mouth open to filter the water for the minute plankton and fish roe that are its diet.

The first sighting of a whale shark is amazing and as the next one approaches, your guide will tell two people in your group to prepare to jump into the water with him and swim alongside it, always keeping a distance. Everyone takes their turn to swim with these beautiful creatures.

The feeling of peace is incredible and the water is so clear that you can see the distinctive markings that have earned the whale shark its local name pez domino or domino fish. Each whale shark has a unique pattern of dapples and stripes and biologists around the world upload photos to an international data bank to help identify and track the ocean wanderers.

Swimming with whale sharks is an unforgettable experience and if you are interested in the natural world, you won’t want to miss it. Thomas More Travel offers the whale shark eco tour, for more information visit www.thomasmoretravel.com or contact tourdesk@royalresorts.com