Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 641 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya worth booking?
Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya is a 7-hour experience in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from $195 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 641 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (641)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $195 per person
100% Guaranteed, if you don’t see the Whale Shark you can schedule another date or receive a voucher valid for two years. Small groups maximum 10 people. Unique opportunity to swim and snorkel with the biggest fish in
What you get
- Snorkeling with the whale shark and any wild life encounter like manta rays, dolphins and turtles
- Breakfast
- Professional guide
- Another stop for snorkeling on the way back near isla mujeres
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- On request: vegetarian food.
About this experience
100% Guaranteed, if you don’t see the Whale Shark you can schedule another date or receive a voucher valid for two years. Small groups maximum 10 people. Unique opportunity to swim and snorkel with the biggest fish in the ocean. A full day adventure a memory for the lifetime.
What's included
Included
- Snorkeling with the whale shark and any wild life encounter like manta rays, dolphins and turtles
- Breakfast
- Professional guide
- Another stop for snorkeling on the way back near isla mujeres
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- On request: vegetarian food.
- Lunch
- Beverages (Water and soft drinks)
Not included
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Punta Sam
A break for breakfast... and We'll sail to adventure, during our trip we will meet probably, dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, ask the guide !! he'll be happy to jump in the water with you for an unscheduled snorkeling. When we meet the whale sharks we'll start our activities.
420 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Pick up from Riviera Maya.
Pick up from Riviera Maya: Playa del Carmen - Cancun - Cancun hotel place - Costa mujeres. Pickup included
Tour from Costa mujeres Cancun
Pickup included
Tour from Hotel place Tulum
Pik up from hotel place Tulum : All pick up from Aki Tulum to the hotel place Tulum Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, en, it, fr, nl, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Eco tours adventure
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not permitted for children 5 years old and under.
- Not permitted for pregnant women.
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide.
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
- What to bring: Cap, sunglasses, shirt, swimsuit, towel, sandals, biodegradable sunscreen, money for souvenirs.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 645 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
645 verified traveler reviews for Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic trip with the Whale Sharks
We had the very best day swimming with the Whale Sharks with Eco Tours Adventure. The sharks were out in abundance and we also saw Manta Rays and turtles too. The tour guides were very respectful of the Sharks, which was really important to us. Roberto was an excellent guide, providing lots of information and outlining our day step by step. Would highly recommend. Great experience and great staff- Thank you 😊🙏
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience
This was an amazing tour! Jane made it fun and provided a lot of good information about what to expect and what to do. She also provided good information about the whale sharks. I would definately book with them again. Donna & Rick
via Tripadvisor
Not worth it.
I spent over $400 for us to do the small group whale shark tour and it took 13 hours of our day to spend 3 minutes of our day in the water with the whale sharks. Whew buddy. I was not happy. Firstly, they picked us up at 5:30am and although we gave them our address to pick up inside of our gated community, they didn’t come to our house, we had to walk to the front of the community to get to their car. Then it took 3 hours to get there because they pick everyone up. If you do go, drive yourself. From playa del Carmen it’s a 45 minute drive, but it took 3 hours with them. They take you out and tell you only 2 people plus the guide are in the water at one time. Which is fine. Gives us a more personalized experience. However, what they don’t tell you is FORTY other boats go to the same spot and there is a ton of people in the water. And you have about 3 minutes before they make you get out. They allow you to do this twice, however, they only let us go once because the whales were understandably overwhelmed by the amount of people in the water., and they dove deep to get away. They allowed you to get out and snorkel a bit, but the reefs are bleached. So not even vibrant and pretty. They provide lunch, ceviche, or sandwiches. The sandwiches were one slice of ham and HALF of a slice of cheese. Then allowed us to go swimming for a bit by isla Mujeres, but you can’t go onto the island. Weird. And then we went back to the port. Where it took another 3.5 hours to get home. You can also purchase pictures and videos for $50usd, but they send it through Dropbox and you have to pay the subscription. AND you have everyone’s pictures from the day you have to sift through and download individually. It was absolutely not worth the amount of money we paid to do this experience.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience swimming with Whale Sharks!
Once in a life time experience, overall was great and the host Raul was amazing. Would definitely recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! 💙 We’re thrilled you had such an unforgettable experience swimming with the whale sharks. Raul will be so happy to hear your wonderful feedback! 🐋✨
via Tripadvisor
Best Day Ever
It was truly one of the best days of my life. It was very ethical and respectful to the whale sharks and the ocean. Our guid Javi was amazing! He has a great sense of humor and is very informative. The food was very good as well! It was truly a wonderful experience! We did have a little hiccup in the beginning when the captain of the boat was told we weren't allowed to jump due to someone touching one of the whale sharks. So please, keep your distance and DO NOT TOUCH the sea life.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! 💙 We’re thrilled you had such an unforgettable day with Javi and enjoyed the experience. Thank you for helping us protect and respect these amazing creatures! 🐋✨
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 224
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa del Carmen.
How much does Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya cost?
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Prices start at $195 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Playa del Carmen usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Playa del Carmen is not rushed.
Is Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 641 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Playa del Carmen, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 7-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya?
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Around 224 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Playa del Carmen can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Playa del Carmen and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Playa del Carmen within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Playa del Carmen?
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On Outty we rank every Playa del Carmen experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour, VIP Tulum Private Tour, Chichen Itza Private Tour VIP. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Playa del Carmen?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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