Whale Shark Diving Trip Report 2025

Isla Mujeres, Mexico
July 7 - 12, 2025

July 8, 2025
Day One – Searching for Sharks in a Lumpy Sea

We kicked off our first day under gray skies and a lumpy sea. 

The wind and swell were heavier than usual, conditions that often mean a longer, tougher search, as whale sharks become harder to track in choppy water.

We left the dock at 8 AM, and by 10, we were still searching. 

No sharks yet.

Everyone on board was getting ocean spray from the boat rocking and bouncing through the swells. 

But the search had to continue.

Finally, some excitement over the radio. The chatter picked up, faster, more urgent. 

That usually means the sharks have been found. 

The captains were anxious after getting skunked yesterday, but two days ago, around 70 whale sharks were seen in the area. 

So we knew they were out there.

This is exactly why I plan these trips over several days, because you never know what the day will bring you.

Everyday is different.

We also plan these trips during the week of the full moon, it’s when the fish spawning happens, drawing the whale sharks in to feed on the eggs. 

The conditions may have been rough, but we were in the right place at the right time.

Soon, we spotted boats in the distance all heading in the same direction.

So of course, we followed.

We found sharks!

Not a massive group, but a solid 10–15 whale sharks were moving through the area. 

None were feeding at the surface, all just a few feet below. 

The swells were working against us, and the sharks. They don’t like rough water any more than we do.

To everyone’s surprise (and my delight), a pod of Pantropical spotted dolphins showed up, weaving between the sharks and around us. 

They were only there briefly, but just long enough for a few in-water encounters. 

Their playful energy added something special to the morning. I always love when the dolphins are around, so much fun being in the water with them.

We managed a handful of jumps with the sharks, but tracking them became increasingly difficult as the swell continued to build. 

Eventually, I made the call to end the day early. 

Conditions just weren’t safe, and the sharks were becoming harder to locate.

It wasn’t the smoothest start, but we still had some incredible encounters, whale sharks and dolphins on Day One is never a bad way to begin.

Three more days to go. 

I’m excited to see what tomorrow brings.

July 9, 2025. Day Two.

We headed out again today into lumpy seas, not quite as rough as yesterday, but still far from comfortable. 

The swell seems to be dying down slowly, but the whale sharks are still avoiding the surface.

We left a bit later than usual, and by the time we reached the whale shark grounds, the other operators had already located the sharks. 

There were about 10 in the area, but none were staying near the surface, which made tracking them extremely difficult.

Because of the swell, the sharks remained just below the surface, close, but hard to follow. 

The overhead sun didn’t help either, creating a strong glare across the water that made spotting them from the boat challenging.

We managed a few jumps with the sharks. 

I didn’t get in the water myself, I stayed topside, hoping to help spot from above. 

Everyone got at least one chance to swim with them, but most of the sharks were descending as guests entered the water. 

They just weren’t in the mood to hang around today.

On the final jump of the day, we had a tense moment. 

As our captain was backing the boat to pick up the group, the shark they were with made a last-minute turn and swam directly beneath us. 

None of us saw it coming. 

But our in-water whale shark guide, Tio, shouted that the shark had gone under the boat. The captain stopped immediately, but it was too late. 

The shark had bumped the underside of the vessel.

My fear was that the shark hit the propellers.

Because of all the bubbles, it was hard to tell.

 We didn’t feel any impact on the propellers, and thankfully, there was no blood in the water. 

Tio who was in the water said it hit the bottom of the boat, which was a huge relief.

Still, it shook me. If we had injured the animal, it would have gutted me. 

Encounters like that weigh heavily, and it’s something I’ll always be mindful of while working with wildlife in open water. 

The shark spooked and dove quickly after the bump, understandably so.

After that, we called it a day. 

The swell was still strong, the sharks were few, and the conditions weren’t improving.

We’ve got two more days ahead, and the forecast looks better with each passing day. 

Here’s hoping for calmer seas and more cooperative giants tomorrow.

July 10, 2025. Day Three.

We left the island under a cloudy sky, with rain clouds overhead and a few lightning strikes flashing in the distance. 

But the seas were calm, or at least far calmer than the previous two days, which was a welcome change.

We motored out for over an hour before spotting what I call the floating city, that moment when dozens of boats are clustered together in the distance, looking like a city on the water. And when you see that, you know it’s game time.

As we approached, we immediately noticed more dorsal and tail fins slicing the surface than we’d seen all week. 

The sharks had arrived.

The water was thick with food. 

With the first full moon of the week just last night, conditions had lined up perfectly. And the sharks responded. 

Boats were spread out over several miles, with easily 100–200 whale sharks feeding across the area. 

It was one of those surreal, electric moments where dreams become things.

Our guests were thrilled. 

The last two days had been good, especially for first-timers, but this was something else entirely.

This was the real deal. 

Big smiles, nonstop action, and true ocean magic.

This is exactly what I dream of giving people on these trips: lots of sharks, lots of chances to jump in, and plenty of opportunities to photograph and film unforgettable encounters. 

Today, they got all of it. 

We stayed in the water until about 1 PM, at which point the guests were the ones asking to head back. 

And when that happens, you know the day was magic.

There were so many sharks, including a bunch of “Coke bottling” moments where the sharks rise vertically in the water column to feed. 

It was visual gold. 

So much movement. 

So much life.

Tomorrow’s forecast looks even better; calmer seas, easier conditions.

Fingers crossed we finish this trip on an absolute high.