Join an international & local expert team of whale shark researchers, marine biologists, photographers & filmers amongst the world's biggest aggregation of whale sharks peak season.

Accommodation at a premium all-inclusive hotel.

The experience of snorkelling with the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is not one you are likely to forget. These gentle plankton eating giants grow as large as 20 metres, display beautiful spot patterns from above, block out the light of day from below and often carry with them a living reef of fish life.

This exclusive experience off the Caribbean coast of Mexico allows as small group of people to join an expert Aqua-Firma research team in search of whale sharks in the largest known aggregation of them on our Planet. We have been operating these trips for 9 years, during what has proven to be a peak period of the year. More than 400 whale sharks have been counted on aerial surveys and our research boat is sometimes surrounded by as many as 200 or more sharks. Photographic and video opportunities can be superb.

In addition to whale sharks, we also sometimes encounter aggregations a potentially 3^rd species of Giant Manta Ray. Some days we have been in the water with 100 or more of them, as they feed at the surface, swim between whale sharks or barrel roll. Our partners at the Marine Magafauna Foundation (MMF) are fairly convinced that this Atlantic version of Giant Manta is a separate species, but to prove this we need a combination of above and below photo plus DNA evidence from the same individuals. Dr Andrea Marshall has joined us in trying to achieve this, but whilst we gained photos and DNA, we didn't quite get the combination we needed. Join us on our quests in 2024 & 2025!

Most of our encounters with whale sharks are in blue water, so visibility can be excellent. We often find Giant Mantas in areas further west, where Copepods can appear in huge abundance. Visibility is much more variable in these waters, but it can provide us with opportunities to snorkel with dolphins and their babies; and the bonito tuna which they feed on. In reaching these areas, we transit past clear shallow waters of the Contoy Island National Park, where we see often see dozens of green and loggerhead turtles swimming beneath us. We can snorkel with green turtles over shallow seagrass beds, with huge colonies of frigate birds and boobies circling the island to the east.

Other marine life we find out in clear blue water can be schools of 30 or more Golden Cownose Rays, Bottlenose, Spinner and spotted Dolphins, chance encounters with Sail Fish and Marlin. As always with Mother Nature, every day is different. So far, we have never been a day at the afuera without a whale shark. When we find them amongst an abundance of food, sharks sometimes stop swimming and feed in a vertical position, creating a vortex sucking water in from the surface. These opportunities are wonderful for enabling us to focus on one individual in great detail and provide even better opportunities for film and photography than normal.

Aqua-Firma's leadership team in 2026 will include one of the World's leading whale shark researchers, Dr Simon Pierce; and two of Mexico's leading whale shark researchers. Your participation enables Aqua-Firma to help fund the work of these researchers, whose expert insights into our ever growing knowledge of whale shark behaviour and distribution is very much be part of this experience. Simon also happens to have taken hundreds of very high quality images of whale sharks and manta rays. Learning how to emulate the kind of images is as much a part of this experience as you wish - not only on location with free group and private photography workshops, but with advice we can provide before you go.

We will take a maximum of 8 people per team on research trips lasting up to 6 ¹/₂ hours each day. Our first priority is to locate the whale sharks and once we do, you will be able to enter the water with them to assist in digital photo ID and recording behaviour and species which use the whale sharks as mobile habitats. Simon and our local team will conduct in water surveys which will include on occasion, skin biopsy samples for DNA and dietary analysis. We may also apply data tags such as a satellite location transmitter or gyro sensor.

In line with local regulations, we can put 2 guests in the water at a time with a researcher; whilst those waiting their turn can observe whale sharks from above - often with mouth half in and half out of the water.

Our trips begin and end at Cancun airport, from where we will transport you to a 5 star all-inclusive hotel at Playa Mujeres, which lies on a peninsula on the Yucatan mainland, opposite the far northern tip of Isla Mujeres. 

Whale shark encounters are best enjoyed by snorkeling since whale sharks feed here close to the surface. Snorkeling also permits faster movement on and off the boat and through the water.