Tulum Akumal Whale Shark Swim: An In-Depth Review
Thinking about swimming with whale sharks near Tulum and Akumal? Well, it could be that you’re in for an awesome treat! Going on a whale shark tour could be quite a memorable adventure. This article goes through the specifics to assist you. We’re talking about what to expect, what to bring, plus is it worth all the hype? You could say that we will cover the basics for planning your adventure, really getting into the good stuff so that you’re ready for an amazing, wonderful experience in the beautiful waters near Tulum and Akumal. From my view point, it could be an epic day out!
Why Choose Tulum and Akumal for Whale Shark Encounters
Tulum and Akumal are wonderful spots when you fancy coming face-to-face with whale sharks, you see. Every year, usually from mid-May to September, these incredible big creatures come around to feed in the plankton-rich waters close by. This specific area of the Mexican Caribbean has become pretty well known for offering an awesome and what many describe a very respectful way to experience these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. I think that it makes a good choice, really different from just a regular beach holiday.
So, what makes this area so special? The truth is, the water is super clear here, so, it can be much easier to spot whale sharks. Besides, tour operators here tend to be focused a bit more on eco-tourism, doing their best to ensure these swims have a low impact on the environment and the whale sharks, clearly. Add to that the easy access from tourist destinations like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun, it means getting here is surprisingly stress-free. With the location combined with how good everyone is at ensuring that this remains ethical and sustainable? Well, you’ve really got yourself something special!
Booking Your Whale Shark Tour: What to Look For
Alright, ready to book? It might be good to select a tour operator; very different ones exist, and very important that you get this choice right, arguably! A decent operator is typically looking at smaller group sizes (ten or fewer, maybe), has properly qualified guides, and is really very committed to sustainable tourism. Look closely for companies that follow all guidelines from organizations like the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP). They will frequently be very cautious about their environmental footprint. It is often the little, very small things, isn’t it, yet they end up having such a big effect, mostly.
Really important is reading those reviews, truly, on spots such as TripAdvisor or perhaps even some specific travel forums. Do past swimmers seem happy? Are they happy with how the tour operator behaved with the whale sharks? Has anyone actually had a disappointing experience, maybe even one that involved the company simply not valuing nature? Also, think through what’s included: wetsuits, any food and drink, motion sickness medication, maybe, and if there are any added costs, such as a marine park fee. The best and highly advised thing to do could be to inquire regarding this beforehand. Now, a very serious piece of advice could be to book in advance, especially if traveling during peak season. Whale shark tours tend to get booked out very quickly, particularly when those cruise ships are in town.
What to Expect During the Tour: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Okay, what can you expect from a typical tour? Most trips start early, sometimes around 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM, and this is so you beat the crowds, see. You will possibly then meet at a set meeting spot in Tulum or Akumal, before you’re driven to the boat departure area, always depending on the company running the tour. That’s a journey to the area in which the whale sharks happen to be, usually quite close to Isla Mujeres or Isla Contoy, which could take around an hour or maybe more.
As soon as you get there, your guides would perhaps brief you on safety, just how to act around the whale sharks, and quite important snorkeling tips. So, make sure you are listening. When you get your chance to jump into the water? That’s the fun bit! Normally, groups of two, frequently with a guide, take it in turns to carefully swim alongside the whale sharks. Usually, the action itself lasts about two to three hours, usually giving you a fair few opportunities to get into the water. Most of the tours also come along with snacks, soft drinks, plus some lunch after you happen to have enjoyed time swimming. Expect returning to shore in the mid-afternoon, maybe, just loaded with unforgettable memories. Seems awesome, maybe?
Essential Gear and Preparation Tips
So, getting totally prepped can assist to make the trip smoother. Firstly, pack light clothing which is comfortable. That might be a swimsuit, perhaps a rash guard to shield you from the sun, and possibly some biodegradable sunscreen, clearly. Even though some tours might provide wetsuits, it can still be quite a smart idea to maybe think about wearing one for further buoyancy and thermal protection, as I understand things, anyway. You ought to also consider having a towel, sunglasses, maybe a hat, plus motion sickness medication (if you might be prone). It is sometimes better to be ready, could it be?
When you have underwater cameras such as GoPros, please remember to have them charged to document your interactions with these incredible creatures. Prior to the day of the tour? That might be an idea to sleep well and abstain from too much drinking alcohol the night before, basically. Perhaps make certain you have got breakfast before leaving; tours typically give snacks. It’s quite worth making absolutely certain that you follow the instructions that the guides hand out; these usually will likely be there to keep everyone protected and make sure you stick to sustainable practices. This way the creatures stay unharmed.
Ethical Considerations: Respecting Whale Sharks and Their Habitat
Keeping tourism sustainable and ethical is clearly critical to protect those incredible animals plus their natural surroundings. Whale sharks might be very gentle, they usually are listed as an endangered species. Acting responsibly is crucial to guarantee our interactions don’t negatively impact on their behavior and wellness. Guidelines such as keeping a respectable distance (around 10 feet) is very key. The important things typically have small impact.
Swimming isn’t really permitted; all the time stay on the surface, don’t touch all the whale sharks, plus under no circumstances are you supposed to use flash photography; you see. Selecting tour companies dedicated to sustainable practices definitely will minimize your impact, as I believe anyway. Following such guidance that the guides offer keeps things both protected and respectful. Furthermore, simply by selecting tours that donate to marine conservation projects? Very effective indeed, I do suspect.
Making the Most of Your Swimming Experience
Fine, you’re prepared, what can you do to guarantee an amazing experience once you jump into the ocean? Initially, remain calm and comfortable, try to stay chilled; that could also assist you to watch those beautiful whale sharks while they are also in the area! Snorkeling can seem a bit challenging, really practice in shallower water, and maybe in the hotel pool too! Keep looking close with all your snorkel gear so nothing clouds vision plus your field of view.
Just make certain you swim parallel and in a smooth manner. The sudden or erratic activity might scare those gorgeous animals. Usually make absolutely certain that you stick along with all of your group but follow any guidelines by all of your guides, as I always see it. They’re frequently seasoned plus they recognize those animal patterns, they are then qualified to guide you really closely without disturbing marine life, clearly. Have patience, definitely be observant. With the water, seeing those gigantic creatures gliding gracefully could absolutely take all of your breath away, basically creating memories for life! Oh wow!
Other Activities in Tulum and Akumal: Making It a Complete Trip
Taking a whale shark swim trip is totally epic. Tulum plus Akumal themselves offer a multitude of different wonderful attractions for longer trips. Possibly think about taking a look at some Mayan ruins, the Tulum archaeological spot has a spectacular clifftop vantage point overseeing some wonderful water! Akumal could be quite widely known for sea turtles, in reality you could also go snorkeling near the beach there. The experience gives a further wildlife adventure.
Explore subterranean caves also identified as cenotes which can be found close to Tulum where you might possibly have unique swimming in unbelievably clear waters, truly remarkable. Don’t just visit those, but perhaps even think of a bit of time taking a look around local markets; maybe indulge in Mexican cuisine which could add the most gorgeous aspects toward any vacations. Tulum gives several boutique retailers plus cool restaurants providing things ranging anything between traditional stuff completely to fancy cuisine; there really is something delicious when there, actually, when there are numerous alternatives, seriously.
Real Experiences: Stories from Swimmers
So, what are people saying the people who experienced that magic? Many snorkelers normally gush with great big wide eyes over swimming along with such incredible things, these big whale sharks are just stunning; often a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experiences. Stories could highlight a feeling, typically, like maybe seeing those serene big creatures cruising in, normally something that humbles, really; other times, stories are just very touching stuff and very unique!
You could often view reports praising guided ethical companies committed into education as well as also protecting all wildlife species around them- that normally enhances something very special plus quite sustainable during all those tours usually there; there might be a number of examples for guides that know and regard marine existence! Naturally, it often looks really magical plus it might well emphasize that great need for respect combined during such amazing all the underwater animals usually out in nature as part such wonderful trip excursions round by places such maybe as just calm waters here somewhere rather remote! What is awesome? To hear individual tales? That’s worth a fortune and definitely assists to paint just how awesome these could all often potentially sound/ actually turn away!!
Cost Considerations: Is the Tour Worth the Investment?
Alright, does all of this tour actually live up these expense components and components, typically? Costs could then totally be, naturally they, quite vary then too – which commonly occurs plus could possibly differ a bit but a complete all tour can then perhaps usually also depend across that business which all tours can typically vary along which business but perhaps just depending throughout specific features also available from some sorts which range typically as a thing!
Though maybe just it all seems a pretty high expenses, lots travelers appear at often consider that experience so totally very wonderful then truly unique! Viewing those gentle creatures naturally – typically something everyone would cherish so absolutely perhaps worth investment – then maybe also, don’t ever just also miss the cost too here too; then also include equipment which may already have such provided guides with a tour, perhaps lunches etc, each might need additional funds but also there isn’t quite very too bad as something. Often ensure all what does include those all then that too which offers worth and that’s for the purpose these prices tend to remain pretty worthwhile with others who will search extraordinary chances then so unforgettable such marine connections as always so magical often, really too.
Commonly Asked Questions
Is It safe to swim near such gigantic shark-creatures?
Whale-sharks mostly have gentle and really passive personality normally despite sizes (maybe almost to forty base perhaps much more), truly rarely will aggressive at anyone! That snorkel can offer that security regulations get enforced with all qualified experts always. Okay? Okay then : – )
Which best period could potentially get during such tour for best experiences?
Top period, as pointed with starting paragraphs previously- always somewhere-around spring and into those very September points- since animals are congregating these environments searching that plentiful source meal these provide that tour all through its length each yearly phase always so perfect perhaps.
Requirements usually expected from those with tours being booked??
Often tour always ask those attending mostly that people able both often already that one could already swimming properly which should usually have very limited health restrictions normally but also often pregnant people should stay that tour so that doesn’t become tricky maybe so.
Am I bring along certain things that such tour itself doesn’t have during day of travel there already?
Usually essential have like this swimsuit always then just perhaps reef for defense just at sunrise like that eco sun guard may could assist or possibly there glasses on which days. As always perhaps those cam too since just memories usually – but all ensure always charge well, always check something like maybe underwater stuff before go since it may often stay that magical since those views do occur naturally or so . Don’t always worry at something – most always there on there too . Just be relaxed okay ; -). Those medications about also since this boat possibly could get pretty tough going those rough open that water as such also which just usually also often – a big plus plus okay!!! Okay.
Can those photographs along trip here included throughout such offer really on here ?????
You should always definitely verify as possible and ensure regarding their booking along or by always checking what already included, by always possibly reading its review here here then this here here. – you guys will likely do it for such tour for sure!!! Check ok !? (that sounds good ). Often perhaps ask this team member what may still get there also. :)) : ).
Where’s just a very easy trip booking this that on Tulum place.
There something plenty with agency all online could mostly use now something and but still some those small businesses exist but which too or maybe just a travel which store exists by perhaps locally! Mostly find or research where where here and where those may lead where where the agency all about!!! Then go .!! – Okay!!!! Or no perhaps.
When wanting on visiting swimming within these whales this Sharks there really truly can lead always unforgettable that it becomes that too . Select just mostly the tours about ethical reasons the always that and go those prepare well plus also relish those trips around for a full on the life of too maybe mostly there is here . That journey usually creates something and about there where this there will mostly will usually not disappear soon!!!! What for – I hear you ask me! So this this trip the becomes too!! . Good!!!!: – ))))))