Isla Mujeres, Q.R. –May 15th marks the official start of whale shark season for the Cancun, Isla Mujeres region. The large fish typically migrates toward Caribbean waters in mid-May where they remain until mid-September.
During that time, boats from Cancun and Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres in particular, offer day trips to see them, however, whale shark tours can be booked from service providers along the entire Riviera Maya.
The large fish are typically found north of Cancun during that time, often being spotted by boats along the Yucatán Peninsula. They are considered the largest fish in the sea, often reaching up to 12 meters or 40 feet in length, comparable to the size of a school bus.
According to National Geographic, the Yucatan Peninsula is one of their favorite feeding grounds and is considered a “feeding ground hot spot” for the world’s largest fish.
They say that while whale sharks are also found in Australia and from Indonesia to Belize, the waters of Quintana Roo on the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula draw far more than other spots, often attracting an estimated 800 or more in a given season.