Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya

Outty Ranking 83 4.8 · 664 traveler reviews7 hoursFrom $195
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Outty Ranking

83/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 664 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 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 664 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
83 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (664)
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 the ocean. A full day adventure a memory for the lifetime.

What you get

    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

    1. 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 Hotel place Tulum

      Pik up from hotel place Tulum : All pick up from Aki Tulum to the hotel place Tulum Pickup included

    • Tour from Costa mujeres Cancun

      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

    Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, photo 2Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, photo 3Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, photo 4Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, photo 5Whale shark encounter, Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya in Playa del CarmenWhale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, photo 7

    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 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers 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.

    5 star
    575
    4 star
    38
    3 star
    11
    2 star
    13
    1 star
    8
    Sort
    clairehG3079YO · August 2026

    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

    RetireBlz · August 2026

    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

    MamaDukes89 · August 2026

    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

    haroons854 · August 2026

    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

    hayliea2019 · August 2026

    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
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    232
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Eco tours adventure, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.1.

    See everything Eco tours adventure runs

    Why this scores 83

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)85
    Review evidence (18% weight)96
    Booking momentum (14% weight)95
    Value for money (12% weight)62
    Listing quality (10% weight)64
    Local standing (8% weight)67
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    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 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 664 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute 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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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya?

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    Around 232 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 Best ATV Tour, Horseback Riding, Zip Lines, Cenote Swim, Tequila Tasting, VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour, Chichen Private Experience. 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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya?

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    Included: Snorkeling with the whale shark and any wild life encounter like manta rays, dolphins and; Breakfast; Professional guide; Another stop for snorkeling on the way back near isla mujeres; and Use of snorkeling equipment. Not included: Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1344 listed pickup locations in and around Playa del Carmen. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya offered in?

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    It is offered in German, Russian, English, Italian, French, Dutch and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers; and Not permitted for pregnant women. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya?

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    Across 664 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya?

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    There are 3 options to choose from, including Pick up from Riviera Maya., Tour from Hotel place Tulum, Tour from Costa mujeres Cancun. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Whale Shark Encounter Full-Day all inclusive Tour from Riviera Maya.

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