Seasonal· Isla Holbox· Mexico
Whale Shark Season (Isla Mujeres and Holbox)
21° 33.0′ N · 86° 57.0′ W · approximate
Each summer hundreds of whale sharks gather to feed in the plankton-rich water between Isla Mujeres, Contoy, Cabo Catoche and Holbox - the largest aggregation in the world.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: a representative point in the feeding area north of Isla Contoy toward Cabo Catoche; the sharks move daily. Season: mid-May through September out of Isla Mujeres (Wikivoyage), late May through September out of Holbox, with peak sightings in July and August (Wikipedia). Swimming with the sharks is done from CONANP-licensed tour boats under park rules - check current rules with your operator; Holbox shared tours ran about US$150-170 in August 2023. Private boats should keep clear and slow down in the area. Whale-shark tourism here began around 2003.
Best for
Snorkeling with whale sharks
Season
Mid-May–Sep; peak Jul–Aug
Nearby
- Isla Contoy Bird Sanctuary8.9 NM away
- Cabo Catoche9.2 NM away
- Isla Contoy Anchorage (Playa Tortugas Visitor Dock)9.9 NM away
- Isla Blanca Anchorage (Chacmuchuch Lagoon)10.9 NM away
- Ixlaché Reef (Isla Contoy)11 NM away
- Isla Blanca Beach13.7 NM away
- Isla Blanca Kitesurfing (Chacmuchuch Lagoon)14 NM away
- Hondureño Wreck (Isla Mujeres)18.7 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).