Swimming with a whale shark feels like being in the presence of a majestic dinosaur. The shark almost doesn't look real. It is truly prehistoric! While most people head to Cancun to drink margaritas, lay on the beach and maybe try to get lucky. I'm here to tell you there is an adventure there awaiting you that is a must, and then go do the aforementioned! Yes that's right, from Cancun during the summer months (June-August) it is possible to swim with these beautiful creatures in the deep blue. The cost is well worth it, about $80-100 dollars depending on who you set your trip up with. There are many companies who do this, but most offer the same deal.
This excursion takes about half a day. The trip starts with a boat ride, about 1 hour long, out into the Gulf of Mexico with about 6 people and 2 boat captains. Most boats depart at a marina that is a short drive or taxi from the hotels in Cancun. Say goodbye to land as you will be heading out to where the beach is no longer visible.
If you have never had the experience of no land in sight the boat ride alone is worth it to understand the vast distance and depth of the ocean, it is hard to fathom. Your boat will be a part of a fleet of about 6-10 boats in search of these whale sharks feeding on plankton near the surface. Once a boat captain spots these behemoths. He radios to the other boats, and a mad frenzy of boats vie to position themselves calmly near a whale shark as to not scare them off. To do so would send them swimming back to the depths of Davie Jones' Locker! Now it's game time! You will have the opportunity for three 1-2 minute swims with these beautiful creatures 2 people at a time. Here is my experience, and I hope you have the chance one day to do the same!
It is indescribable to see these sharks for the first time. As I plunged into the water I righted myself and gazed upon this 30 ft. long beast.
His spots reflecting in the sun light, gills pumping rhythmically, and tale swaying ever so gracefully. I swam hard but ever so quietly to ride up alongside this gentle creature to feel the majesty of his presence. Life was in slow motion, and I cherished the moment. I continued to swim hard to stay right alongside my new friend and I looked him in the eye.
He spoke as though he'd been here a long time and a long time he will remain. He gave a few quick waves of his tail and gaped his mouth open to swallow tons of frolicking plankton. Into the belly of the beast they go.
I was happy beyond belief. They told us not to touch the sharks, and I respect that and the animal. However, we are all beings and friends on this earth so what harm is a quick stroke of his spotted dark grey skin. How smooth to run my hand along his side and say hi! My time was up for my first swim. A time to rest for a little bit, and take it all in from the boat while munching on some fruit and re-hydrating for my next swim.
Now, these sharks may look like they are hardly moving as swift as they are, but I assure you they can motor! The 3-6 minutes of swim time may not seem like much, but it is hard work to swim and keep up with these guys. Unless you're Michael Phelps the 3-6 minutes is plenty of time to soak it all in and have a blast!
On my second swim, I wanted to swim directly behind the shark to see his body glide through the ocean. I could feel the water displacement push against me as he whipped his tale and propelled forward. I swam along with him like this for about a minute when some stupid swimmers from another boat swam all over and around his head. Boom, he pumped his tail quickly and tilted his fins to dive straight down into the deep blue. Wow, to just vanish in 10 seconds to escape these foolish people who had bothered him! I was mad, but impressed to see this shark move the way he did for such a large animal, and how eerie the thought of what lurked deep below!!!
That was it for round 2 so back on the boat we went to wait for round 3. It's fun to watch the other swimmers gleefully swimming along. On our boat, was a pair of Australian female twins who were very cool, and a couple Brits who were on holiday. We got to learn a lot chatting with them on our boat ride! Round 3 was up for us, and I didn't want my swims to end. I decided I was going to swim up near the front of my new friend again to say thank you for swimming! I swam with him for a couple minutes. It's so cool to watch them eat with their mouths open wide enough to swallow one whole! I said my goodbyes, and waited for the boat to swing back around and pick us up. As I watched this whale shark swim off into the distance I took some time to contemplate the deep blue. The light shining down through the water as far as it can travel until darkness permeates the depths of the sea. It's visually stimulating to look down into this distance that seems to never end. I looked out at a swimmer with my vision half in and half out of the water. The ocean falling forever below me, and the sky suspended forever above. It felt as if I was suspended between two infinite spaces. As if I was between two dimensions or two worlds. What an experience to say the least. I will never forget the moment, and this picture does no justice to what I saw!
Cethorinus maximus, nice!
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