Aquatic animals are one of the most prominent features of a tour in Mexico for foreigners. Each summer, Mexico witnesses millions of people from around the globe visiting many of its cities on vacation. In the year 2021, 3.38 million people gathered in Mexico in the month of July. (Source: travelpulse.com).
Mexico relies heavily on its tourism sector for its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Not only that, but the country is also dependent on the tourism sector to provide full-time employment opportunities to its citizens. Whale Shark Migration in Quintana Roo, Mexico, is one such adventure that most foreigners come to witness in the summer season. Moreover, the implementation of Visitax has made it very convenient for people to visit Mexico. (Source: oecd.org)
If you arrive in Mexico in the month of June or July, there are very high chances you will get to spend a few hours underwater with whale sharks, who are on their course of the annual migration. If you are passionate about aquatic wildlife and want to experience this magnificent adventure, make sure that you have a reliable and authentic tour advisor so that you can make the most of your trip.
Although there is still a lot to be discovered about the migration patterns of these whale sharks, scientists now firmly believe that whale sharks migrate to different countries in order to maximize their chances of foraging. Moreover, this annual migration gives them a better opportunity to increase their breeding likelihood.
Millions of whale sharks arrive north of Isla Mujeres, also known as the Bay of Women, in Mexico. Build only a short distance away from the city of Cancun; this island has inhabited a significant number of marine life in its clear blue waters.
Mexico, the country that still speaks for its ancient heritage and history, is widely known for its whale shark tourism. A significant number of tour agencies and companies now offer sea diving and snorkeling adventures so that people can make the best of their vacations by swimming alongside gigantic whales when in Mexico.
You will not be Eaten by the Sharks
Many foreigners have this fear of being devoured by a whale shark when swimming alongside them in the water. You should know that whales have no interest in eating you; they even spit out tiny bits and pieces of rice that are not a part of their typical diet. Although they have enormous mouths as wide as five feet which can be pretty intimidating, they can barely digest anything that is bigger than your fist.
Guidelines to Protect Whale Sharks
The well-being of sharks is extremely important for the tourist sector of Mexico. Hence, they are careful to provide the best experience for their tourists and maintain an excellent aquatic environment for marine life, including ensuring their food resources and a sustainable breeding environment.
Government bodies carefully regulate the tourism areas pertaining to whale sharks. Therefore, you must make sure that the tour agency you are going with is SEMARNAT or SECTUR certified, the two organizations responsible for maintaining whale shark tourism. These rules clearly specify many instructions, such as how much distance you should keep between the animal and your boat, the number of people that can approach the animal at one time, and the speed of boats.