Swimming with whale sharks in Mexico
What's it like to swim with whale sharks in Mexico?
Definitely our favorite tour: swimming with whale sharks. But what is it really like to swim with these giants of the ocean? Isn't it dangerous? Or at least scary? We cannot be more excited about these beautiful animals and the wonderful feeling of looking for them in the open sea and then jumping into the water with them. That is why we try to take you on an adventure in this blog and we will explain why this excursion is very cool and exciting, but not at all dangerous or scary. It is hard to put into words what it really feels like to swim next to these friendly giants, you just have to experience it. But we'll make an attempt at it, maybe it will help to take away the worst nerves.
Jump in the water with the biggest shark in the world
No matter how many times we've been out to swim with the whale sharks ourselves, every time we get this wonderful magical feeling when we take people out to experience this adventure. Oftentimes, when we start the day by giving people as much info as possible on the bus, they look at us a bit nervous and sometimes downright scared. Of course this is not so strange, they're about to jump in the water with the biggest shark in the world. So the main reason to be nervous is precisely this: the huuuuge size of the animal. According to scientists and local fishermen, specimens of around 16 meters (53 ft) have been seen at some places around the world, but here in the Riviera Maya the sharks measure maximum 12 meters (40 ft), though most are “only” between 8 and 11 m (26-36 ft) long. Still, roughly the size of a school bus and more than enough to be really impressive when you have to jump in the water with them for the first time.
Sharks are Jawsome
The other reason people are sometimes super nervous is because they go in the water with real sharks. Sharks have a bad reputation of being aggressive predators, out to attack innocent people who just happen to swim in the sea. This fear of sharks is a highly persistent misconception, caused and fueled by Hollywood movies and sensational media. During our tour we try to explain to our guests why the fear of sharks is really unnecessary and actually very dangerous for the sharks. Sharks are maybe not cute and cuddly like for example pandas, and therefore they're not very well protected, but they are vital for the life and the ecosystem in the ocean. Also, sharks don't eat people, they simply don't like our taste or smell, to them, we are what Brussels sprouts are like to most kids 😉 Anyway, in the picture below you can find some cool shark facts and the shocking info of in what speed us humans are ending their lives. The massive shark slaughter could have disastrous consequences for life in the ocean and eventually, on earth.
Oh and by the way, whale sharks can’t even bite or chew, so nothing to worry about...
picture by: Two oceans Aquarium
Education is an important part of conservation
By doing this tour we are able to interact with small groups of people every day, explaining them everything that we know about the life in the ocean and hopefully changing some minds. Education is an important part of conservation, that's why ecotourism, when done right, can actually help conservation.
Next to the whale sharks you don’t feel fear, you just feel peace.
Once we actually jump with our guests into the ocean and have them overcome their fears, when they meet eye to eye with these giant, docile animals who just mind their own business, that's when the magic happens. In a few minutes, people go through different stages: from nervously holding your hand, to being impressed, then amazed, then in love and finally super duper excited. It's an amazing feeling to be able to give our guests one of the best days of their lives, to have them feel the magic of swimming with sharks, to see the excited looks on their faces and to notice how they don't need to hold your hand anymore on the second jump. Next to the whale shark you don’t feel fear, you just feel peace. And maybe, just maybe, after meeting them in real life, more and more people will start loving sharks as much as we do. And hopefully, one day they will get the protection worldwide they deserve. One jump at a time.
If you'd like to read some people's blogs about their experiences swimming with whale sharks with us, you can click here.
2 Comments
Counting down the days! Can’t wait to come back in august and join you guys for an exciting day in the ocean!!!
Hi Nicole, Yesss we´re super excited as well! Looking forward to taking you on tour with our giant friends again…
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