WHALE SHARKS and MANTA RAY EXPEDITION
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- June 19 - 24, 2027 -
6 day expedition / 4 days Snorkeling with Whale Sharks
- 2 of 6 SPOTS REMAIN -
TRIP COST IS $3688
$1,000 deposit required to confirm your reservation.
Every summer, the waters off Isla Mujeres, Mexico, host an extraordinary gathering of whale sharks.
Drawn by a seasonal feast of tiny fish eggs, these gentle giants cruise near the surface with their enormous mouths open, feeding just offshore.
Join us for an opportunity to snorkel alongside the largest fish in the ocean.
There is something unforgettable about slipping into the water and watching a whale shark glide past, its spotted body stretching far beyond you as you swim beside it.
Manta Rays are also frequent visitors, joining in on the seasonal feeding event, alongside the sharks. Their presence adds more magic to a day already filled with incredible moments.
Our experienced guides will help you feel comfortable and safe in the water, help position you for photographs, and enjoy respectful encounters with these amazing animals.
Whether you’re an experienced diver or trying this for the first time, the opportunity to witness the largest aggregation of whale sharks in the world is an adventure like no other.
YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST WHALE SHARK…
You see the shadow first.
Then the spots come into focus, and you realize just how big this animal is.
For a few moments, you swim alongside it, watching its tail move slowly from side to side.
And sometimes, manta rays join the scene, flying past with their angel wings that seem to stretch on forever.
Those are the moments you’ll still be talking about long after you’re home.
TRIP COST IS $3688
A $1,000 deposit is required to reserve your space.
*ADD $500 for single occupancy.
PRICE INCLUDES
5 nights stay at our hotel - ( Dbl. Occ. )
- Add $500 for single room occupancyRound trip private van transfers from Isla Mujeres to the Cancun International Airport ( CUN )
Ferry ride from the port (to and from) the Island
Taxi ride ( On Isla ) - from Ferry Port to Hotel (R/T)
4 days in the water with whale sharks and possibly manta rays.
Continental Breakfast at Hotel
Lunch and Snacks on the boat (soft drinks and waters)
Photo Coaching During the Trip
PRICE EXCLUDES
Airfare, Dinners, Crew and Hotel Gratuities, Trip Insurance, Alcoholic Beverages, Meals on Travel Days
🔥 YOUR NEXT MOVE
- You can book your trip now - Or request more information on the trip.
A $1,000 DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE.
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1 - TRAVEL DAY
We pick you up via, private van in front of the Cancun international arrivals building (#3) between 12-1 PM. We drive you to the ferry port, Puerto Juares, (30 minute drive). From there we take a (30 minute) ferry ride to Isla Mujeres.
Taxis will deliver you to your hotel. We will help you check in - the rest of the afternoon is yours, to prep cameras and explore the island. At 7PM, we will get together (hotel bar), for a pre-expedition meeting to discuss the morning plans.
DAY 2 - 5 ( 4 DAYS )
We eat a light continental breakfast. After, (around 7:30am), we climb on our boat, and head out to the whale shark grounds, and spend the rest of the morning swimming with the sharks and possibly manta rays. (we average 6 hours at sea each day).
Please note; these are snorkel encounters only.
DAY 6
Taxis will pick you up in the early morning and drive you to the ferry.
Upon arriving back in Cancun, our driver will pick you up and drop you off in front of the Cancun International departure building for your return flights home.
Make your departure times after 2PM.
Stories from Past Expeditions
Read what really happened when we visited the largest aggregation of whale sharks on the planet.
THE ACCOMMODATIONS
Our host hotel for the trip is the beautiful Playa Arena. A seaside hotel, within two blocks of the main tourist and restaurant area on the island. A/C, Wifi
Our beach side hotel, makes it easier for loading your cameras and dive gear on and off the boat each day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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This experience is a snorkel-only expedition! No scuba certification required – this adventure is designed for everyone.
Whether you're a seasoned snorkeler or a first-timer, this experience is open to all.
All that's needed is your comfort with a mask and snorkel in the open ocean environment.
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Several airlines serve Cancun International Airport (CUN).
Some of the major international airlines that commonly operate flights to and from Cancun include:
1. American Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. United Airlines
4. Southwest Airlines
5. Aeromexico
6. JetBlue Airways
7. British Airways
8. Air Canada
Check with the airlines for the most up-to-date information on flights.
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ARRIVAL DAY:
Upon your arrival at Cancun International Airport (CUN), A member of our team will be waiting for you in front of the arrivals building (#3) between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. You'll be comfortably transported via a private van to the Puerto Juarez ferry port, its a 30-45 minute drive.Once at the ferry port, a brief and enjoyable 30-minute ferry ride will take you to Isla Mujeres.
Upon arrival on the island, a taxi service will promptly deliver you to our hotel for the week.
In the rare event of flight delays or if you are running late, please note that you may need to make your own way to the hotel. We will provide you with detailed directions to guide your taxi driver to ensure a smooth journey to the island.
DEPARTURE DAY:
On the day of your departure, a taxi service will pick you up in the early morning from our hotel at (7:30AM), and transport you to the ferry (8AM).Upon returning to Cancun, our driver will be waiting to pick you up at the ferry port (8:40 AM).
You'll be dropped off in front of the Cancun International Airport departure building (9:30 -10AM), making your journey back home hassle-free.
We recommend scheduling return flights for departure after 2PM to ensure a stress-free and seamless experience.
Please note that if you have booked an earlier flight, you may need to organize your own transportation to the airport. We will guide you on the best way to organize it. -
Please note that these expeditions involve wild animal encounters, and while there is never any guarantee of sighting wildlife, we strategically plan our visits during the best times of the year for the greatest chances of success.
Over the past two decades, our whale shark expeditions have achieved an outstanding track record, consistently spotting these magnificent creatures every season.
Whether witnessing the spectacle of over 200 whale sharks feeding together or encountering a smaller group, each trip offers a unique and awe-inspiring experience.
Every encounter is different, and the duration is solely at the discretion of the animals.
We want to highlight that touching wildlife is strictly NOT permitted.
Participants caught manhandling wildlife may be asked to leave the water or the area.
It's essential to maintain a safe distance and show utmost respect towards wildlife.
Furthermore, if the animal is not interested in interacting with us or shows signs of stress, we will leave the animal alone and go find other wildlife to encounter.
YOUR SAFETY AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE ANIMALS ARE OUR TOP PRIORITIES.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in preserving the beauty of the wildlife and their environment.
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Solo Travelers signing up for land-based trips individually will be charged the single occupancy rate.
To help keep costs down, you have the option to inform us if you would like to share a room with another solo guest of the same sex.
We'll make every effort to find you a roommate. However, if no one else wishes to share, you will be charged for a single room.
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A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space on any SDM Adventures expedition.
*Reservations are not considered confirmed until the deposit has been received.
Payment schedule:
• 50% of the expedition cost is due 180 days prior to departure.
• Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Payment methods:
• Credit card payments incur a 4% processing fee.
• PayPal payments incur a 5% processing fee.
• Payments may also be made via wire transfer or Zelle. Please contact us for banking details.
• For wire transfers, please add $40 to cover bank processing fees.
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SDM Adventures understands how disappointing it can be if you are forced to cancel your trip after looking forward to it for so long. However, our expeditions require significant advance planning, and we must make non-refundable payments to hotels, vessels, and other suppliers well before departure. For this reason, we must strictly adhere to the following cancellation policy for all guests.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself in the event you must cancel.
Cancellation terms are as follows:
• More than 120 days prior to departure:
A refund will be issued minus the trip deposit, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. If we are able to fill your space after you cancel, we will apply your deposit toward another SDM Adventures trip booked within the following 12 months. If you cancel again during that period, the deposit will be forfeited.
• 91–120 days prior to departure:
A cancellation fee of 50% of the total expedition price (including extensions) will be applied.
• Within 90 days of departure:
No refunds will be issued.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing by email or mail and must be received and acknowledged by SDM Adventures.
SDM Adventures is not responsible for cancellations due to medical or personal reasons.
No refunds will be issued if a participant withdraws after the expedition has begun.
SDM Adventures is not responsible for any penalties associated with non-refundable airfare or travel arrangements. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
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To keep trips running smoothly for everyone, we ask that all payments be made according to the schedule provided.
If a payment is not received by the due date and we have not heard from you, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and release the space to another guest. In that case, previous payments are non-refundable.
We understand that things can come up, so if you anticipate any issues with timing, please reach out in advance. We’re always happy to work with you when we can.
We’ll do our best to send reminders, but ultimately it’s important to stay on schedule to secure your spot.
