Top Riviera Maya & the Yucatan Whale Watching

Get up close and personal with the world’s largest congregation of whale sharks during this small-group snorkeling excursion, available only from May until September. Travel comfortably on a well-equipped boat into the Caribbean Sea, with snorkeling masks and gear included. Let staff guide you to the whale sharks’ meeting points, then hop into the water for a unique immersion.

Snorkel alongside docile whale sharks during this eco-adventure on Isla Holbox. With your local guides, board a boat and set off in search of these gentle giants, keeping a lookout for other species like giant manta rays and sea turtles as you cruise. Slip into the water in pairs with a knowledgeable guide and swim with the world's largest fish, which can grow up to 45 feet (14 meters) long. On the way back to shore, stop near Cabo Catoche to snorkel the 'cuevones' reef. Continue to Santa Paula to go swimming and enjoy freshly caught ceviche before returning to Holbox. Use of all equipment, breakfast and snacks are included.

Glide alongside whale sharks and then soak up the sun on Isla Mujeres on this guided day trip from Cancun. A speedboat takes you to a prime viewing location, where you slip on snorkel gear and hop into the water. Marvel at the gentle giants floating by. Then, relax on the white-sand shores of Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte (North Beach). Lunch and hotel transport from Cancun and Playa del Carmen included.

During your vacation on Isla Holbox, don't miss swimming with whale sharks. This gentle creature measures up to 45 feet long (14 meters) and is considered the largest fish in the world. During your boat trip, search for manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles. Then pop into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to swim side-by-side with whale sharks in their natural habitat. Snorkel gear and wetsuit are included along with a light breakfast, lunch, and fish ceviche.

Combine a jungle zipline course, off-road ATV experience, and a cenote swim on a small-group adventure tour from Cancun to Extreme Adventure Eco Park. Take on a fun, family-friendly challenge in a scenic destination, with round-trip hotel transfer, refreshments, and all activities included.

Travel through the Mayan jungle on this action-packed all-day guided tour. Hop on your own ATV (or ride along with a driver) and head to a cenote, an underwater pool, where you can take a refreshing dip. Then fly above the treetops on a ziplining course. A local Mayan lunch is included. Only those 18 years old and above are permitted to drive their own ATV.

The Yucatan Peninsula offers visitors a treasure trove of history, from the pre-Columbian archeological sites of the Maya civilization, to 16th century towns settled by the Spanish. Experience this history firsthand with a full-day tour from Cancun or the Riviera Maya. See the ancient Maya site Chichen Itza (admission not included) the pyramid of Kukulcan, and explore the architecture in Valladolid. After a busy day exploring, refresh yourself in the waters of the cenote, and enjoy a delicious buffet meal.

Appease an appetite for adventure during an exhilarating zipline experience from Cancun. Soar over the lush canopy of the Mexican jungle on an adrenaline-fueled tour of North America’s largest zipline circuit; glide over super-thin cables stretching over 2 miles (3 km) and absorb panoramic vistas of the tropical jungle tableau below. Hailed as “one of the 35 greatest adventures n the world” by Time and Leisure magazine, this zipline adventure is sure to get your pulse racing. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from your hotel on this adrenaline-fueled tour.

Experience the top adrenaline sports of the Riviera Maya on a trip that combines off-roading, ziplining, rappelling, and snorkeling in a cenote. This fast-paced half-day adventure is perfect for thrill-seekers who just have one day in Tulum and want to see as much as possible. Plus, wrap up the outing with the chance to take part in a traditional temazcal (sauna-like) ceremony—a cultural experience not included on most adventure tours.

Journey to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on this full-day tour and experience this incredible archeological site with a local guide. First, take a panoramic tour through the colonial town of Valladolid and then stop at a cenote for a refreshing swim. Midway through the day, enjoy a typical buffet lunch and a tequila tasting, and then explore the archeological site. Walk along El Castillo and the Pyramid of Kukulcan and learn how this pre-Columbian city played an important role in the Mayan Civilization.

Mount a well-trained horse for a tranquil journey through the heart of the Mayan jungle on this thrilling package that also includes three signature adrenaline adventures. Begin with a jungle zipline circuit, then brave a rugged track in a solo or shared all-terrain vehicle (ATV). After riding your horse through the forest, refresh in a Mayan cenote then unwind over a Mexican meal. For ease, your package includes transfers.

Explore coral reefs, ancient history, and nature in the Riviera Maya on an combination tour that features some of the best of Yucatan in a single day. Snorkel through the coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, visit the Tulum archeological site, and swim in a cenote, then explore a limestone cave and take a jungle walk. This tour includes entrance fees, a buffet lunch, and door-to-door transport from hotels in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Depart Playa del Carmen for a day of cultural experience and adrenaline-inducing activities. Begin with a visit to Tulum, an ancient Maya coastal city that's home to archaeological remains and sandy beaches. Then visit a modern-day Maya community before entering the jungle to explore two vast underground river systems. Snorkel their cavern waters. Wind down with a buffet lunch of delicious Maya cuisine.

This kid-friendly snorkeling tour in Cancun is a great way for first-time snorkelers to earn their fins without dedicating a full day to the process. Guides work with first-time snorkelers and those with water-anxiety to create an unforgettable trip swimming with sea turtles, exploring an underwater shipwreck and statues, and checking out a reef.

Explore the Yucatan jungle's flooded sinkholes, or cenotes, during this full-day guided eco-adventure. Paddle through the underground caverns on kayaks, snorkel in the subterranean aquatic habitats and float on the azure water on inner tubes. Listen as your guide recounts Mayan folktales about mythical guardians that protect these sacred water sources. This small-group tour, limited to 19 people, includes snacks, a gourmet picnic lunch, and round-trip hotel transportation.

Swim alongside whale sharks in the Caribbean Sea on this 6-hour tour from Cancun. These gentle giants arrive in large numbers around the Yucatan Peninsula every summer. Slip on snorkel gear and marvel at your proximity to these fish that can grow as long as 43 feet (13 meters)! After your memorable swim, sail to Isla Mujeres’ Playa Norte for a beachside lunch. Hotel transport from Cancun and the Riviera Maya included. Don’t miss this unique experience available from May to September only.

Swim tantalizingly close to whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, on this 6-hour boat tour from Holbox island. After a safety briefing, cruise out to waters where whale sharks glide along and feed, and then hop in. A certified guide is with you as you admire the gracefulness of the gentle giants underwater. Follow this with excellent snorkeling at Cabo Catoche. Expect personalized attention on this small-group tour limited to just eight adventure seekers. Lunch and hotel transport included.

Nature lovers visiting Tulum won’t want to miss this chance to swim with whale sharks in the pristine water off Isla Mujeres. This small-group tour makes it easy to see the world’s largest fish up close, with round-trip transfer from Tulum included along with breakfast and lunch. Note that the price does not include the Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve tax.

Nature enthusiasts in Tulum may not realize that this area of the Yucatán Peninsula is actually a hub for whale sharks, making it a go-to destination for viewing these majestic creatures. With this full-day adventure from Tulum, join your guide on a whale shark tour to see these docile animals, and hop in the water to swim with sharks in their natural habitat. After your swim, soak up the sun and refuel with an onboard lunch, included in the tour.

Discover the beauty of the underwater world, without getting wet, on the Subsee Explorer, a submarine-style glass bottom boat. Enjoy views of exotic fish, marine life, coral reef and statues at the Cancun Underwater Museum from the submerged windows, while a bilingual guide narrates in English and Spanish. A fabulous activity for kids Discover the magic it has to offer the beautiful Mexican Caribbean aboard the Sub See Explorer. It's a fantastic activity for children in Cancun, share this experience with the little ones in the family to see fish, turtles, corals... and a surprise at the end!

There are many snorkeling tours offered in Cancun, but this is one of the only ones that offers so many benefits, including round-trip transport to the marina from your hotel, snacks, beverages, all equipment, and dry storage for your personal belongings. Plus, your guide knows the best areas of the ocean to take a dip in near the natural habitats of whale sharks and sea turtles.

Take a swim in an area with the whale sharks, the largest fish on the planet, on this tour from Cancun. Hop aboard a boat with a biologist guide and head to the waters surrounding Isla Mujeres, Contoy and Holbox, where you'll snorkel alongside these gentle giants. This tour offers both a small-group option as well as the opportunity for a private swim with just your travel companion or group. Hotel pickup and drop-off is also included. Please note: this tour is offered seasonally, from May to September.

Swim with the largest fish in the world, the white-spotted whale shark, on this small-group excursion. From May to September, these huge fish visit the waters near Cancun, so this is the best time to experience this tour. Whale sharks eat only plankton, so no need to worry about being eaten yourself.