Whale Shark Adventures — Attraction in Isla Mujeres

My wife and I just got home from our vacation on Isla Mujeres. This was our first time ever swimming with Whale Sharks and we had the best time of our lives. The entire Whale Shark Adventures team are top notch professionals with incredible customer service and never once did we feel unsafe during the tour. This is a small family run business and once you arrive, right away you feel like you're part of the family.

The day of the tour, we met at the México Dive shop at 8am and were greeted by enthusiast and smiling faces. Positive energy and excitement filled the dive shop as my wife and I and three other couples sat and listened carefully as they explained the safety instructions, what to expect while swimming with the sharks and to answer our questions. A few minutes later we were on the boat in Crystal clear water heading to the area where the sharks can be found. About 40 minutes or so later, we found the sharks. And not just 2 or 3 them, there must have been 80 or more sharks in the area!!

As we see one of the humongous sharks heading right for the boat, our guide Iván yells "jump over board.... NOW" !! Boom my wife and I hit the water and turn around and look straight into the gaping mouth of a HUGE, "beautiful" Whale Shark, less than six feet away and like a bus, was coming straight at us. Quickly we move to the side as it gently swims passed us without a care in the world, we kick hard to keep up, all the while Iván is taking pics and videos of us with the shark with his GoPro. The pics and video footage was a complementary part of the tour and is something we will cherish for ever....thank you Iván!!!

Each couple in the boat had the opportunity to swim alongside the sharks twice, which was way more than enough time needed to fully enjoy the sharks since it can be a bit tiring keeping up with the sharks.

After these amazing experiences with the sharks, we headed back to Isla Mujeres, did a little snorkeling at one of the reefs and then the Captain anchored off a beautiful Whitesand beach where we all had time to swim, relax and talk about our Shark experiences while Iván made, right on the boat, the most delicious fresh Ceviche we have ever had. Cold beers, delicious Ceviche and new friends, we couldn't have asked for a better day on Isla Mujeres. We didn't have a hotel booked when we arrived on the island, but we came to find out, after the tour, that the family also have some very nice apartments, set in a beautiful garden area located just behind the Mexico Dive Shop. It was absolutely perfect for my wife and I and we ended up staying there the entire time. Thank you Victoria, Pascal, Iván and all the rest of the team at Whale Shark Adventures for making this such an unforgettable experience. Cheers from Costa...

I have no words to describe the service this family company provides. I have contacted last minute through WhatsApp to take the whale shark trip for the next day. Pascal replied immediately and in five minutes we have set everything, i have paid easily the deposit through PayPal and all was set. At the day of the tour, we arrived at Isla Mujeres from Cancun following the detailed instructions they gave us. Great welcome from Victoria, hearty HOMEMADE breakfast at the office with nice variety, detailed and funny briefing about the trip and the whale sharks from Pascal's brother Misael and finally the trip itself. YEAH! Fernando, the captain and father of the two guys was really calm and knowledgeable and our shark guide Ivan was amazing. They knew exactly what to do, they completely respect the animals and the ocean and they LOVE what they do. Even if the place has a lot of boats, there are so many whale sharks that you can be almost or literally alone with them, especially if your Captain and guide know what to do. Ivan helped any person of our small group (they take maximum 10 which is more than perfect) was not that strong to follow the shark by pushing him and took some EXTREMELY amazing pictures and videos of every single person of the team. They even allowed some persons that didn't have the best sights during their snorkeling (the system is to go 2 persons every time so the sea is not crowded) to jump again and we were one of the last boats to leave the place (VERY IMPORTANT). The trip ended with some extra complimentary snorkeling in a nice coral garden and then with a stop at the famous playa del Norte at Isla Mujeres where Ivan offered us some super cold beers and prepared an amazing fresh ceviche (and also lentil ceviche for the vegetarians of the team). During all the trip there were also snacks, refreshments, water, all super cold!! They provide all the equipment and they accept all the means of payment. Honestly, there are tons of companies that do the tour but these guys seemed to be the best. Thanks again and again for one of the best...

Our group of three did a private charter with Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Adventures (booked thru Mexico Divers) July 25-29. 2018.

We had Fernando and Boris (the Father and the Brother of Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Adventures Operations Manager Pascal) for the 5 days. These two turned out to be a Godsend.

I had done this same trip with another Isla dive operation 7-8 years ago. They were OK, but I was willing to try something new and perhaps better this time.

To say that our expectations were overwhelmingly exceeded by Fernando and Boris is a huge understatement: (1) Timeliness: they were NEVER late, ie, they were either on time or early for pickups every morning; (2) Flexibility and Customer-centricity: their attitude and approach was all about pleasing us, the customers. Whatever we asked for, within reason, that is,.....earlier pickups to beat the crowd, changing the pickup and drop-off site......customizing the itinerary to maximize whaleshark swimming time.....and even providing diverse lunch options......was met with a most refreshing can-do, no-problem attitude; (3) Superb Spotting of both whalesharks and mantas by both Fernando from the boat and by Boris while on the water.

The presence of multiple mantas in the same waters as whalesharks was a pleasant surprise that was not there 7-8 years ago. Dolphins were seen from the boat but they were skittish and would not allow approach. We even saw two sailfish flash by one day.

Other factors that left us with a good and lasting impression of this operation and this crew: Eco-conscious......making sure that we put the least amount of stress on the animals.......picking up trash in the water.

Based on the above, I have no hesitation about recommending Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Adventures and the crew of Fernando and Boris for the whaleshark...