VIVAOHLALA · PRIVATE TOURS IN ENGLISH
Private Whale Shark Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya
Out on the open Caribbean, the first glimpse of a whale shark’s spotted back is a moment to slow down and pay attention. Reserve a boat for your own group and join an English-speaking guide for a seasonal wildlife experience, with responsible in-water instructions and time at sea shaped by nature.
Your day at a glance
- One private boat for up to 10 travelers
- An English-speaking guide and a briefing before entering the water
- Seasonal whale shark observation and swimming when permitted
- Snorkeling equipment, food, drinks and marine tax included
Format: private day trip · Guide: English-speaking · Departure: confirmed hotel or meeting point.
What you’ll experience
Confirm a date within the season
VivaOhlala offers this excursion only from June 15 through September 15, inclusive. There are no departures outside those dates. Contact the team to check a date before paying; weather and navigation conditions can still affect a scheduled departure.
Meet your team and board
After the confirmed pickup and transfer, meet the crew and board your private boat. Listen to the briefing on equipment, boat safety and respectful wildlife encounters before any water activity.
Search for whale sharks
The crew heads out to look for whale sharks in their natural habitat. When conditions and instructions allow, enter the water under the team’s supervision. Never touch, chase or obstruct the animals. Sightings and time in the water are not guaranteed.
Share a meal break and return
Food and drinks are included for the day, with sandwiches, guacamole and fish ceviche. After the outing, return to the departure area and your ground transportation. The schedule remains flexible around conditions at sea.
What’s included
- Air-conditioned transportation within the included pickup area
- Certified English-speaking guide
- Private boat for your group of 1–10 travelers
- Mask, snorkel and fins
- Marine tax
- Sandwiches, guacamole, fish ceviche, water and sodas
Not included
Optional tips, personal purchases and any pickup supplement quoted for your hotel. Photography is an optional extra.
Private tour prices
US$1,795 total per private boat, for 1–10 travelers. Reference price: 32,000 MXN. This is the group total, not a per-person rate.
USD amounts are rounded up to the next US$5 using 17.8413 MXN per US$1, the September 28, 2026 reference rate. Confirm the booking currency and final total before paying. If your balance is settled in MXN, the MXN reference amount applies; your bank’s exchange rate may differ.
Pickup, transportation & timing
Send the full name or address of your accommodation in Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Tulum, Akumal, Puerto Morelos or elsewhere on the Riviera Maya. We’ll check coverage and confirm your pickup time. Any supplement is charged per group for the round trip, not per person.
If you have a car, ask about a meeting point within the included pickup area. Total duration varies with your hotel, traffic and the itinerary; keep your return schedule flexible.
Who is this tour for?
For travelers comfortable with open-water boat travel who understand that wildlife encounters depend on nature. Discuss children’s ages, swimming ability and participation requirements with us before reserving.
What to bring
Swimsuit, towel, UV-protection shirt, hat, sunglasses, sandals and a waterproof camera or protected phone. Sunscreen is prohibited on this excursion.
Be in the photos, too
Our optional excursion photography package covers the key moments of your tour and includes 50 edited high-resolution photos, a preview of 3–5 images within 24 hours and a private online gallery within 5 business days. Availability is confirmed for your date.
Questions before you book
When can I book this excursion?
Our departures are offered only from June 15 through September 15, inclusive. No trips operate outside this season, and all dates require availability and navigation confirmation.
Is the price per person or per boat?
The advertised private rate covers one boat for a group of up to 10 people. The same boat total applies whether fewer travelers join.
Is swimming with a whale shark guaranteed?
No. Whale sharks are wild, and sightings, navigation and in-water activity depend on conditions and the crew’s instructions.
Can I wear sunscreen?
No. Wear a UV-protection shirt and other sun-protective clothing instead, following the crew’s instructions.
How do I reserve?
Contact us with your date, hotel and group details. We confirm availability and the deposit required before you pay. The remaining balance is payable in cash in MXN to the guide, as stated in your booking confirmation.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Weather, access restrictions and operating conditions may require adjustments. Tell us your priorities before booking; customization must be confirmed and may change the price. Ask us to explain the cancellation and weather terms before payment.
Ready for Whale Sharks?
Send your preferred date, hotel name, number of adults and children’s ages. We’ll confirm availability, pickup arrangements and the complete price before you book.