Small Group Whale Shark Encounter - 12 years in business
Description
We are passionate about what we do. Your experience matters to us and we want you to have the best day of your vacation with us. Our guests love the early arrival at the port and being on one of the first boats out on the open water. They love our homemade sandwiches and fresh brewed coffee, fun and professional crew, comfortable boats, clean and new snorkel gear, the lunch at the north beach and our pictures, which we include (if circumstances allow it) in the tour price. Just look us up and read what they have to say about us. Environmental awareness and sustainability matters to us! All our tours are as good as plastic free. We have redesigned our operation to produce minimal waste, which we recycle.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Once the boat is in the right position the mate or the captain will give you the signal to get into the water. In the water your guide will lead you toward a whale shark, which you will be snorkeling next to. Your guide will be next to you the entire time, taking care of you. Tour Details: - Tour starts at 07:30 a.m. (+/- 1 hour) - Start with a light breakfast at the marina with coffee, tea, sandwiches and fruit - Swim with the biggest known fish on this planet - Enjoy the typical regional food in front of the North Beach - Relax at the crystal clear waters of the North Beach of Isla Mujeres - Duration from pick up till drop-off is approx. 6-8 hours
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Getting up early is the key to a successful and fun packed whale shark encounter. We leave port at 07:30 AM in order to be first out on the water. That means pick up at your hotel or vacation rental can be early, but it's worth it! NO FUEL SURCHARGE
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not suited for children younger then 4 yours
- Not suited for pregnant travelers
Reviews(29)
The whale shark encounter is an amazing experience! We saw several whale sharks, rays and dolphins. Our guide Adolfo and Capt. Willie of the Hanny made sure we had a fun and safe experience. They were very caring when one of us got seasick as well. Our driver from PDC was safe and punctual. They provided gopro video of our experience at no extra charge too! This was our 4th tour with Kay Tours and we always have an awesome time!
Roberto picked us up at Barcelo Riviera Maya at 0515 and we were on our way to the start of an excellent day. Roberto was an excellent driver and most of the group continued to rest on the way North (Both my wife and daughter slept while Roberto and I had small talk as the sun came up on our drive) After about an hour and a half ride up to Cancun (Puerto Jaurez), we had a light breakfast, coffee and tea. After breakfast we were introduced to Captain Willie and Adolofo onboard the M/V Hanny. Roberto had prepared us a cooler with drinks (water, soda and cervezas) and handed the cooler over to Adolfo as we departed. It was about a 20 mile trip (about an hour ride) to the grounds where the Whale Sharks had been sighted this morning (sometimes they can be as close as 8 miles from port). Captain Willie and Adolofo treated us like they had been doing this for their whole life, very educated and knowledgeable seaman and very respectful of me and my family, from seating, to controlling sea spray during the trip, to stopping to see a couple turtles that we were passing. We saw flying fish upon shortly leaving port and both Captain Willie and Adolfo were quick to point them out to the personnel on the boat (we had a total of 7 other passengers that had booked through other tour companies, but we undoubtedly received VIP service from this crew!! The actual main event of the day is one that is indescribable, 6 ft from a Whale Shark?!?!?! What more can you say. We got two opportunities to get in and swim with these magnificent creatures and it surely paid off. After this once in a lifetime experience, we made a brief stop at Isla Mujeres' North Beach and the. Captain Willie continued to impress with THE BEST CEVICHE I had ever had along with freshly made (yes made on the boat) guacamole! After the break from food and swimming we returned to Port where we were promptly greeted by Roberto again and made our way back to Barcelo. Again Roberto was a very respectful driver on the return trip and will ensure all needs are met!! This trip would be rated 6 stars if that was an option!!
The whale shark encounter was an expensive bust. First, 10 people plus 2-3 crew are packed into a small speedboat for a 1.5 hour trip to the open ocean..arrived around 10:00am. There were 20+ similar boats carrying over 200 whale shark encounter customers. Our weather was 88 degrees, 10-15 mph winds, and “rolling seas” but was still doable although one passenger was very sea sick even with Dramamine. After 1 1/2 hours, along with the 20+ other boats, I (not the crew) saw a fin around 50 yards away and captain immediately confirmed and headed toward the encounter while directing only two (2) of the 10 divers to get ready to jump in right behind the dive guide and to follow him to find the SOLITARY Whale Shark that continued to swim away from the boat. The two divers were never able to catch up to the shark to even catch a glimpse of it; and even if they did how and when would the rest of us jump into the water and catch up to the dive guide? I’m a very experienced scuba diver and can’t even imagine how 2 people could have had an encounter for more than a few moments with the shark not alone the 8 other people, if they were lucky enough to even get into the water and catch up to the solitary shark who wasn’t going to hang around for us. And try to picture the other 20 boats converging on our boat and squeezing us out to get ahead of the fast moving shark. NO ONE, in any of the boats, even got a glimpse of the whale shark which is, again, a solitary creature. Even if the shark swam slowly in one direction , how could that many people enter the water in front of the shark as it continued to swim towards them. I’ve been shark diving in the Bahamas, dolphin encounters in several locations and tandem skydiving from 14,000 feet for less than the $225 pp cost of this improbable encounter. I’m taking this off my bucket list!
Dear Bruce, Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review. While I am genuinely sorry that your experience did not meet your expectations, I appreciate the thoughtful way you described what you encountered. Reviews like yours help us identify gaps and improve. First, I want to acknowledge something important: whale shark encounters are among the most unpredictable wildlife experiences in the world. Unlike attractions or controlled animal encounters, these are completely wild animals in open ocean conditions. No operator, regardless of experience, can guarantee the number of whale sharks present, how long they remain in an area, or whether they will stay close enough for every guest to enjoy an ideal encounter. That said, I completely understand your disappointment. When someone travels a long distance and invests both time and money in a bucket-list experience, expectations are naturally high. Reading your account, it is clear that the combination of ocean conditions, boat traffic, and limited sightings did not align with the experience you had hoped for. One point you raise that deserves particular attention is the information provided before the tour. Through our direct booking channels, we normally send extensive preparation materials that explain seasonality, wildlife unpredictability, encounter procedures, boat dynamics, weather considerations, motion sickness risks, and realistic expectations for what a successful day may look like. Unfortunately, the Tripadvisor and Viator platforms place significant limitations on what can be communicated to guests before arrival, and in this case that information gap was clearly larger than it should have been. This review highlighted a weakness in our process. As a result, we are creating a dedicated pre-tour information PDF that can be shared with future Viator and Tripadvisor guests so they receive the same level of preparation and transparency as our direct clients. We believe informed guests are happier guests, even when nature decides not to cooperate. I would also like to mention that your tour took place during the very beginning of the season. Early season departures can sometimes be exceptional, but they can also be inconsistent as wildlife patterns are still developing. Looking back, we should have been even more proactive in communicating those realities. For that reason, we have also decided not to offer this experience through Tripadvisor and Viator during the first month of future seasons until we have sufficient sighting consistency and operational data to confidently set expectations. While we cannot change the outcome of your day on the water, we can learn from it, and your review has directly contributed to changes that will benefit future travelers. Thank you again for your candid feedback. We wish your future adventures, whether underwater in the Bahamas, on a dive boat, or elsewhere around the world, to be filled with the wildlife encounters you were hoping to experience here. Warm regards, Kay Honig
This was the best tour I ever had! Tourguide Adolfo is absolutely brilliant in what he does. He guided us, a small group of people, through the day and water with his knowledge, years of experience and passion for the whale sharks. Seeing and swimming with the whale sharks are a highlight I will never forget. The videos and photos Adolfo had take in the water with the animals are stunning! It’s worth the money, even more would be fair. After swimming with whale sharks we had the best self made ceviche in the crystal clear water of Playa del Norte on Isla mujeres. The Pick-up service at the hotel was also great. The equipment and the boat are top, too. I will definitely book it again whenever I have the chance to. Kay Tours is a highly recommended Tour Company. Great staff, equipment and the prices are absolutely worth it! Thanks Adolfo & Captain Lobo!
Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review. Thank you for your strong recommendation and for recognizing the value of the experience. We look forward to welcoming you again whenever you return.
The staff on the Shaddai were absolutely fantastic!! It was a great experience!! They were super knowledgeable and did everything to ensure our whale shark encounter was memorable!!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are delighted to hear that your experience was so positive. Everyone is working hard to provide not only a safe and organized tour but also an experience that leaves lasting impressions, and your recognition means a lot to us. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure in the future.
The communication throughout the booking process was excellent. The accommodations were as described. We chose this tour over others primarily due to the small number of participants in each boat. Our guide Cedric was accommodating, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Our captain Nestor and his crew were helpful and pleasant. The experience was wonderful. My daughters and I are PADI certified and were concerned the activity would be less than thrilling as this is a snorkel tour. We were incorrect. It was amazing to be up close to these gentle and majestic animals.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughtful review on TripAdvisor. We’re so pleased to hear that clear communication, small group size, and personalized attention made such a difference in your experience. Cedric, Captain Nestor, and the crew will be delighted to know their enthusiasm and care contributed to such a memorable day. It’s especially meaningful to learn that, as PADI divers, you still found the encounter with these majestic whale sharks to be truly thrilling. Your kind words remind us how special these moments are, no matter the level of experience. Kind regards, Your Kay Tour Mexico Team
This was an AMAZING experience!!! I highly recommend Kay Tours especially Cedric and Nester were awesome guides and boat operators. They made my 10-year old daughter feel comfortable and gave the rest of us (3 adults) a great experience. It was a great day and we saw many whale sharks.
Thank you for sharing your review and for choosing to celebrate such a special occasion with us. We are very pleased to hear that your birthday snorkeling experience with the whale sharks was so memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you again on another adventure in the future.
What an amazing day! First and foremost, Eric, our driver and host for the day was INCREDIBLE! Ask for him by name. He makes you feel like family. The tour was great and swimming with the gentle giants was a memory our family won't soon forget. We have videos and pictures that will not only serve as a reminder of our time here, but I'm sure prompt a return visit soon. Thank you all for your hospitality
Thank you for sharing your wonderful day with the TripAdvisor community. We’re delighted to hear how Eric’s warmth and hospitality made you feel like family from the very start, and how swimming with the whale sharks became an unforgettable memory for your family. Knowing you left with amazing photos and videos—and the thought of returning—means so much to us. Kind regards, Your Kay Tours Mexico Team
My husband & I wanted to do something different & this trip didn’t disappoint! Swimming with the whale sharks seemed safe for them (something I was worried about it) and it was a magical experience. It was nice not having to worry about photos because our guide took videos. We had to change our dates because of weather so I recommend booking this trip at the beginning of your vacation to make sure there’s room for rebooking if needed.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with the TripAdvisor community. It’s great to hear how swimming with the whale sharks felt both magical and respectful of the animals’ well-being, and that having your guide capture videos allowed you to simply enjoy the moment. Your tip about booking early in the trip is spot on and will be helpful to future travelers. We’re so glad this unique adventure met your expectations. Kind regards, Your Kay Tours Mexico Team
We had a wonderful experience!!! We received a text the night before letting us know what time our pick up was from the hotel. The weather was beautiful there were over 50 whales at the location. We were told it was the best day of the season so far. All 10 of us on the boat had Interaction with the whales. Everyone gets 2 jumps into the water with the whales. We were given sandwiches, water or soda as a snack. We then went to gorgeous Isla Mujeres. Where you could get out of the boat and swim. We were served a delicious lunch of guacamole, ceviche, and fresh fruit beer or soda. The captain and crew were all awesome!!! They take videos and pictures of you in the water with the whale sharks. These are included for free. I could not have asked for a better experience. Bucket list for sure!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for taking the time to write such a detailed review. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your Whale Shark Encounter and that the conditions that day made it such a special outing.
