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Ocean Calling
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Cancún and Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Cancún: whale sharks, turtles and the Maya

Seven days of warm Caribbean sea, whale sharks, turtles and Maya stones, in a small group of six.

This week is built around one experience: floating in the open sea beside the biggest fish on earth. Every summer, whale sharks come to feed in the blue water off Isla Mujeres. You arrive on Sunday 18 July 2027, and Rocío takes you to a beachfront hotel in Cancún's Hotel Zone. Monday is our first whale shark day, with a licensed local operator and an in-water photographer, and Friday is our second chance, or the reef. In between: Chichén Itzá with a licensed guide, a slow beach day with a talk about the animals, and the sea turtles of Akumal. One room all week, so you never pack and unpack.

7 days, 6 nightsSix guests at most, with Rocío as your hostCHF 3,040 pp
Book on WeTravelMessage RocíoSee all retreats
A whale shark swimming in sunlit water off Isla Mujeres
A whale shark swimming in sunlit water off Isla Mujeres. Photo: Darcy Wheeler on Unsplash
  • 5.00 from 33 public reviews on BookRetreats · Read guest stories
  • Small group, six guests at most
  • A licensed whale shark boat and official guides
  • Travel insurance required (water-activity cover from your own policy or the dive centre’s insurance)
  • Pause or skip any activity, any time
Guests laughing together in a kitchen after a morning on the waterA group of guests in life jackets on the boatGuests and a guide together on the beach after snorkellingGuests together at a waterfallGuests wearing matching green sarongs togetherRocío with guests around a table at the end of the dayReal guests on past trips

“Amazing girl and super organised. Would book trips with her over and over if I could. 100% recommend!”

Katie H., public review on BookRetreats, March 2026

“Rocío is amazing at organizing trips and ocean experiences. Everything was very well planned, and she helped find great diving spots. I highly recommend Ocean Calling Retreats.”

Harry L., public review on BookRetreats, March 2026

Quotes are copied as written from public reviews on BookRetreats. See all guest photos · Read all reviews

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At a glance

When18–24 July 2027
Length7 days, 6 nights
GroupSix guests at most, with Rocío as your host
StayBeachfront room, six nights
MealsBreakfast, lunch and dinner every day, plus a welcome and a farewell dinner
CertificationNo diving certificate needed
Water levelConfident snorkelling in open water from a boat
EffortTwo long days at sea, a long culture day, and slow days in between
LevelModerate

CHF 3,040 per person in a twin room (deposit CHF 912), CHF 3,353 per person in a single room (deposit CHF 1,006). 18–24 July 2027, 7 days and 6 nights, six guests at most. International flights are not included.

  1. Click Book on WeTravel and choose a twin or single room.
  2. Pay securely on WeTravel. Card fees are included in the price.
  3. Rocío welcomes you personally by email or WhatsApp.

Questions first? Message Rocío.

Book on WeTravelMessage RocíoEmail Rocío

Wildlife encounters are unpredictable. Whale shark and turtle snorkelling should always follow local regulations and experienced professional guidance.

Real guest reviews: Google · BookRetreats

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

Why Moderate? Open-water snorkelling from a licensed boat off Isla Mujeres, where the sea can move. The Akumal and reef snorkels are in shallower water.

Who it is for. Beginners, solo travellers, couples and friends who love the ocean, no diving needed. You should be happy floating in deep, open water with a mask, snorkel and life jacket, and at peace with the idea that wild animals are never guaranteed.

New or a little nervous?

Your first day, step by step

  1. Day 1 · Welcome to the Caribbean: Rocío meets you at Cancún airport (CUN) and takes you to the beachfront hotel in the Hotel Zone. You settle in and have a first swim, then we share a welcome dinner and a short talk about the week and the animals.
  2. Your guide explains the plan and the signals before anything starts in the water.
  3. You choose your pace. You can pause, rest or skip any activity, at any moment, with no pressure to continue.
  4. Nobody chases, touches or baits an animal. The animals decide whether they come close.

Questions beginners ask

What if I feel nervous in the water?
That is very normal, and you are welcome here. Activities are adapted to your level and comfort. Tell your guide or Rocío, and you can pause, rest or skip an activity at any moment.
What if I cannot clear my ears?
Equalising is taught in small steps by your instructor, and nobody is asked to push through. If your ears will not clear, you rest, come up or skip that dive or descent.
Will I hold the group back?
Groups are small (six guests at most, and some trips are four), so the pace follows the group and nobody is rushed. Tell Rocío your level before you book, and she will tell you honestly if a trip fits.
Do I need to be fit or experienced?
Each trip page shows its level and what it asks of you. If you are not sure, take our short Is it for me? questions or message Rocío.

Highlights

  • Swim beside whale sharks in their own feeding ground off Isla Mujeres, in the middle of the season.
  • A licensed local operator, with two swimmers and one guide in the water at a time.
  • Two days kept for the whale sharks, 19 and 23 July, so there is room for the weather and the wildlife.
  • An in-water photographer on the first whale shark day, included, with your photos sent after the trip.
  • One beachfront room in Cancún's Hotel Zone for the whole week, so you unpack once.
  • All meals included, Chichén Itzá with a licensed guide, and the turtles of Akumal with an authorised local guide.
  • A small group of six at most, hosted by Rocío from your first question to the last day.
  • Wildlife first: no chasing, no touching, no feeding, and the ocean decides what happens.

The rhythm of your days

  1. Day 1 · Welcome to the Caribbean: Rocío meets you at Cancún airport (CUN) and takes you to the beachfront hotel in the Hotel Zone. You settle in and have a first swim, then we share a welcome dinner and a short talk about the week and the animals.
  2. Day 2 · The Gentle Giants: a long day at sea with a licensed local operator, early pick-up and back in the afternoon, about 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Two swimmers and a guide in the water at a time, at least 5 metres from the sharks, and an in-water photographer joins us.
  3. Day 3 · Chichén Itzá: an early drive inland, about 2.5 to 3 hours each way. A licensed guide walks us through the great Maya city, entry included, and we have a late dinner together.
  4. Day 4 · The Sea and the Science: a slow morning and a talk about whale sharks, why they come here and what still puzzles scientists. The afternoon is yours.
  5. Day 5 · The Turtles of Akumal: a drive south along the coast, about 1.5 hours. With an authorised local guide we snorkel the bay where sea turtles graze on the seagrass, and we give them space.
  6. Day 6 · The Gentle Giants, Day Two (or the Reef): our second chance with the whale sharks if Day 2 was rough or quiet. If Day 2 was beautiful, we go to the reef instead, or you rest. A farewell dinner together in the evening.
  7. Day 7 · Until Next Time: breakfast together, one last swim if there is time, and the transfer to Cancún airport.

Trip details

Included

  • Six nights in a beachfront hotel in Cancún's Hotel Zone (twin room shared, or single room)
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
  • A welcome dinner and a farewell dinner together
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off, and transport for every activity
  • Two whale shark days with a licensed local operator, boat pick-up and park fee included (19 and 23 July; the second day is our weather and back-up day)
  • An in-water photographer on the first whale shark day, photos sent after the trip
  • Akumal turtle snorkel with an authorised local guide, life jacket and transport
  • A guided reef snorkel, if the second whale shark day is not needed
  • Chichén Itzá with a licensed guide and entry ticket
  • A conservation talk about whale sharks
  • Tips for guides, crews and drivers
  • Rocío, your host, with you all week
  • Pre and post-retreat support

Not included

  • International flights to and from Cancún (CUN)
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Quintana Roo visitor tax (Visitax), paid by you
  • Drinks outside meals
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs

Read the cancellation policy.

Photo gallery

The animals and places of this trip. Each caption says where the photo was taken.

A whale shark feeding with its mouth open off Cancún
A whale shark feeding with its mouth open off Cancún. Photo: dani grau on Unsplash
El Castillo pyramid at Chichén Itzá, with stone serpent heads on the stairs
El Castillo pyramid at Chichén Itzá, with stone serpent heads on the stairs. Photo: Frédéric LO BRUTTO on Unsplash
A green sea turtle over sand and seagrass in Cozumel, on the same coast as Akumal (not Akumal)
A green sea turtle over sand and seagrass in Cozumel, on the same coast as Akumal (not Akumal). Photo: dani grau on Unsplash
Coral growing over a sculpture at MUSA, the Cancún underwater museum
Coral growing over a sculpture at MUSA, the Cancún underwater museum. Photo: Jamie Madden on Unsplash
A wooden pier over clear turquoise water on Isla Mujeres
A wooden pier over clear turquoise water on Isla Mujeres. Photo: Kseniia Lobko on Unsplash
Ocean Atlas

Animals you may meet

Never guaranteed, never chased. Tap an animal to see how it lives, where it travels and a fun fact.

Huge spotted whale shark gliding through open blue waterWhale sharkRhincodon typusSeen in 54 countries in the AtlasEndangeredGreen turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically Endangered

Ethics and safety

  • Licensed boats only, inside the official season from 15 May to 17 September, and boats under 3 knots near the sharks.
  • One boat per shark for a maximum of 30 minutes, two swimmers and one guide in the water, at least 5 metres from the shark, and a life jacket always.
  • No touching, no flash and no sunscreen in the water. The sharks are never chased or blocked.
  • In Akumal we go only with an authorised local guide, and we never touch the turtles or stand on the seagrass.
  • Whale sharks are fish, not whales. In Mexico we never offer swimming with whales or dolphins.
  • Wildlife encounters are unpredictable. Swimming with whale sharks should always follow local regulations and experienced professional guidance.

Practical details

  • Getting there: fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN). Rocío meets you, and airport pick-up and drop-off are included.
  • Travel insurance is required. No diving is needed on this retreat.
  • Payment plan: 30% deposit when you book, then monthly payments charged automatically, balance due 60 days before the trip, on 19 May 2027.
  • Every activity is optional. You can rest any day.
  • The order of the days can change with the weather and the sea. Rocío will always tell you why.
Why we choose slower boats

Speed is one of the simplest things a boat captain controls, and it matters a lot to the animals we visit. Research from many oceans shows the same pattern: a slower boat is less likely to hit a whale, turtle or manatee, gives animals time to move away, and makes less noise under the water.

Slower ships kill fewer whales

A study of 47 recorded ship strikes on large whales found the chance of a deadly injury was 21 per cent at 8.6 knots but 79 per cent at 15 knots. Below 11.8 knots, a strike is more likely to be survived than not.

Vanderlaan & Taggart, 2007, Vessel collisions with whales: the probability of lethal injury based on vessel speed (Marine Mammal Science)

A 10 knot limit works for right whales

Since 2008, the United States has required vessels 65 feet (about 20 metres) or longer to travel at 10 knots or less in set areas and seasons along the East Coast, to protect North Atlantic right whales. A later study estimated these limits cut the risk of deadly ship strikes by 80 to 90 per cent.

Conn & Silber, 2013, Vessel speed restrictions reduce risk of collision-related mortality for North Atlantic right whales (Ecosphere); NOAA Fisheries, Reducing vessel strikes to North Atlantic right whales

Turtles cannot escape fast boats

In Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, researchers watched 1,890 green turtle encounters. 60 per cent of turtles moved away from a boat going 4 km/h, but only 22 per cent at 11 km/h and 4 per cent at 19 km/h.

Hazel, Lawler, Marsh & Robson, 2007, Vessel speed increases collision risk for the green turtle Chelonia mydas (Endangered Species Research)

Slow zones save manatees

In Sykes Creek and the Barge Canal on Merritt Island, Florida, eight manatees were killed by boats in the 42 months before year-round slow speed was enforced. In the 42 months after, only one was killed.

Laist & Shaw, 2006, Preliminary evidence that boat speed restrictions reduce deaths of Florida manatees (Marine Mammal Science)

Faster boats are louder

Recordings of 1,582 ships in Haro Strait, between Washington State and British Columbia, showed that most ships get about 1 decibel louder for every extra knot of speed. This noise reaches the high sounds that killer whales use to find food.

Veirs, Veirs & Wood, 2016, Ship noise extends to frequencies used for echolocation by endangered killer whales (PeerJ)

Going slow gives whales quiet time to feed

When ships in Haro Strait were asked to slow to 11 knots, underwater noise fell by 2.5 decibels, about 44 per cent less sound energy. Scientists estimated this cut the feeding time killer whales lose to noise by 22 per cent.

Joy et al., 2019, Potential benefits of vessel slowdowns on endangered southern resident killer whales (Frontiers in Marine Science)

Questions

Will we see whale sharks?
No one can promise that. July sits in the middle of the season off Isla Mujeres, when the chances are good, but never certain. We keep a second whale shark day in case the sea or the sharks say no the first time.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No. You don't need to be an experienced swimmer, and no diving is needed. You should be at ease floating in deep, open water with a mask, snorkel and life jacket. With the whale sharks, a life jacket is always worn.
How much does it cost?
CHF 3,040 per person in a twin room shared with one other guest, or CHF 3,353 per person in a single room, for 18 to 24 July 2027. International flights are not included.
How much is the deposit?
30% of your package when you book: CHF 912 for a twin room, or CHF 1,006 for a single room.
How does the payment plan work?
After the deposit, monthly payments are charged automatically. The balance is due 60 days before the trip, on 19 May 2027. If you book later, the plan adjusts by itself.
Can I have a room of my own?
Yes. A single room is CHF 3,353 per person, with a private bathroom and air-conditioning. Or you share a twin room with one other guest of the group, with your own bed.
What is included?
Six nights in the beachfront hotel, all meals, airport transfers and transport, two whale shark days with the park fee, the in-water photographer on the first day, Akumal, Chichén Itzá with entry, the conservation talk and tips. Flights, travel insurance, the Visitax and drinks outside meals are not included.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Come alone, with a partner or with a friend. The small group, the shared meals and the days on the water tend to take care of the rest.
How do I book?
Click Book on WeTravel and choose your room. Questions first? Message Rocío.

CHF 3,040 per person in a twin room (deposit CHF 912), CHF 3,353 per person in a single room (deposit CHF 1,006). 18–24 July 2027, 7 days and 6 nights, six guests at most. International flights are not included.

  1. Click Book on WeTravel and choose a twin or single room.
  2. Pay securely on WeTravel. Card fees are included in the price.
  3. Rocío welcomes you personally by email or WhatsApp.

Questions first? Message Rocío.

Book on WeTravelMessage RocíoEmail Rocío

Wildlife encounters are unpredictable. Whale shark and turtle snorkelling should always follow local regulations and experienced professional guidance.

Real guest reviews: Google · BookRetreats

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

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