Just a short boat trip from Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are the crystal clear waters of the Bay of La Paz. These waters are home to whale sharks each and every winter and late spring season. The whale sharks are also known as gentle giants that come to the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur waters to feed and breed.
The Facts about Whale Sharks
Whale sharks can easily weigh more than twenty tons as they are the biggest species of fish that swim in the ocean. The whale sharks have lengths of eighteen feet to thirty-two feet and some of the whale sharks have even grown as long as forty feet. These magnificent creatures live a long life up to seventy years. They move slow, which is why their mere size is an attraction. An exciting activity is swimming with the whale sharks or watching them from a boat is a perfect activity for all animal lovers world-wide.
Whale or Shark?
Though whale sharks are named due to their similar resemblance of huge whales, they are, in fact, whales. Whale sharks are not air-breathing mammals, but they are a part of the shark community and they are a species of fish. Although, the whale sharks can be intimidating, they really pose absolutely no threat to humans.
Up Close and Personal
It is easy to go whale watching when you are diving or snorkeling, because the whale sharks have a slow pace of about three miles per hour and they pose no threat to humans that are in the water near them. The diet of the whale sharks are small fish and plants and this is why the whale sharks swim very close to the ocean’s surface to feed, and this also provides close up encounters for humans. The whale sharks are one of three species of sharks that are filter fed, which simply means that they filter their food through their gills, and this makes the whale sharks very harmless to humans and any larger species of fish.
Cabo San Lucas Whale Shark Experiences
Swimming with whale sharks is one of the most popular and sought after activities in Cabo San Lucas, so if you are one of the brave and daring individuals that are searching for a thrilling and exciting adventure, then this is the activity for you. There are boat tours that can take you to the areas where whale sharks are feeding and then you just need to be brave and jump in to have an experience that will be the best experience on your vacation.
Protected Species in Mexico
The whale sharks are an endangered species and they are fully protected by Mexican and International laws. At one time the whale sharks were very plentiful, but not anymore. This is why that the tour companies are licensed and they are reputable to take vacationers on the waters to swim with the whale sharks. The tours will ask you to only wear organic and biodegradable sunscreen when you are swimming with the whale sharks and the laws will only allow two people and their guide to be in the water with the whale sharks at the same time.
Cabo San Lucas whale shark experiences offer you an encounter you will never forget. Now is the time to book your vacation to Cabo San Lucas, so you can have this once-in-a-lifetime experience.