Swimming with the Whale Shark, the largest fish on our planet is a dream that can only become a reality in few places throughout the world, such as Mexico, Belize and Australia. A mere 45 minute boat ride from Cancun, Mexico and you can enjoy this unique experience with one of nature’s most interesting creatures. Continue reading
Cancun and Isla Mujeres welcome the world’s largest fish with the 6th Annual Whale Shark Festival taking place July 11 – 14.
Whale Shark season officially began on May 15 and will last until mid-September. These fish, known locally as Dominos, measure between 15 to 50 feet in length and weigh as much as 15 tons, making swimming alongside these species a thrilling experience.
These bus-sized creatures gather off the coast of Cancun in very large numbers during this time, becoming quite a spectacle for locals and tourists alike. It is estimated that 1,400 whale sharks pass through the waters of Isla Mujeres every year, making the Island of Women a hot spot for whale watching and other activities. Continue reading
For the fourth consecutive year, the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated International Whale Shark Day on August 30th, 2011 promoting the importance of preserving this beautiful and unique species. The destination just successfully concluded the celebration of the 4th annual Whale Shark Festival on the neighboring island of Isla Mujeres. The official season for whale sharks begins May 15th and can be found in waters near Cancun until mid September.
Whale sharks are the gentle giants of the ocean. They are the largest fish in the world measuring up to 40 feet (12 meters) and weighing up to 15 tons. Fortunately for those of us that want to swim with the whale shark they are totally harmless and peaceful. They are a fascinating creature to behold, with its wide mouth extending to 5 feet. The whale shark swims with its mouth open, close to the surface of the water, and just sucks in the plankton. It then closes its mouth and forces all the unwanted water out of its gills and only the plankton remains. The whale shark has a unique checkerboard pattern on its back made up of creamy white spots and pale horizontal and vertical stripes with a white underbelly so is easily distinguishable. This pattern is why it is also often known as the Domino. Continue reading
Under the title, “Cancun and the Treasures of the Caribbean,” the Cancun CVB is launching its integral 2010 marketing campaign whose main theme incorporates surrounding islands and destinations. The marketing strategy’s purpose is aimed at positioning Cancun as a grand, diverse destination that integrates a variety of options such as fashion, adventure, ecological tours, gastronomy and much more.
In this re-launch, Cancun is accompanied by nearby islands such as Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Contoy and the seaside fishing village of Puerto Morelos. Now, they’ll come together under one umbrella, Cancun: one of the country’s most significant tourism destinations. Each one of these distinctive destinations is considered a treasure not just for its beauty, but also for its unique personality. Continue reading
Now to an up-close encounter with the largest fish in the sea. NbC’s Kerry Sanders headed off to Mexico for the thrill of a lifetime. Reporter: in Cancun, Mexico, long before this was a tropical playground, the aquamarine waters here beckoned another thing, the world’s largest fish, as big as a school bus, a book of legend. It’s a huge a huge a huge. Reporter: up to 60 feet long, said fishermen. But who had ever seen such a fish? Haras palacios claims he saw his first one when he was 3 years old. Well, you feel like a piece of you because they’re huge animals. You also feel scared. You feel scared, like motion sickness. Reporter: in search of the unknown, we boarded a launch guided by a marine biologist who promised 20 to 30 miles off the coast wed find these so-called whale sharks. We’re going to see the whale sharks. Reporter: and just like they promised there they were, whale sharks that thankfully are not man-eaters. In all, we counted 64 gliding at the surface. Their mouths open, almost five feet wide, filtering the water to feed on fish eggs. The story goes, years ago, fishermen came out and actually caught one of these whale sharks, took it home and it tasted horrible. So, everyone pretty much ignored them. Then, about eight, nine years ago, one of the captains who was having a really bad day fishing wondered if maybe people would pay and go out and see these behemoths.
If you would like the opportunity to swim with whale sharks please visit http://cancun.travel/en/things-to-do/adventure/whale-shark/
The 2nd Whale Shark International Conference welcomed more than 200 guests representing 40 different countries. The event, coordinated by Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protected Area, follows on from first International Whale Shark conference celebrated in Perth, Australia, 2005. The objectives of this meeting are to promote scientific research, conservation initiatives and sustainable practices that benefit local communities. Continue reading
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