The Official Royal Resorts News Blog » Swimming with Whale Sharks

Welcome Back Whale Sharks

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:48:53 +0000

It’s whale shark season and local biologists and fishermen are now reporting sightings of a hundred or more of these beautiful creatures as they feed on the plankton that blooms in the warm waters of the Mexican Caribbean during the summer.
One of the great ocean travelers, the whale shark spends the year migrating between feeding grounds and mating areas in different parts of the world including Australia, Fiji, South Africa, India, Mexico, Belize, Honduras and Brazil. From May to mid-September it converges on feeding grounds in the stretch of ocean between Isla Holbox and Cabo Catoche and in deeper waters to the east of Contoy and Isla Mujeres.
Would you like to swim with the largest fish in the world, known locally as pez domino on account of its beautiful mottled skin? It is a once in a lifetime experience and during the day you’ll learn about this mysterious fish and some of the ongoing scientific research into whale shark behavior and migration. Thomas More Travel offers eco tours to the whale shark feeding grounds from May to mid-September, contact the tour desk at your resort for more information or email: tourdesk@royalresorts.com for reservations.

Second Whale Shark Festival

jgreen — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:52:19 +0000

Isla Mujeres is getting ready to host the Whale Shark Festival. The annual event begins tonight and will feature conferences about the world’s largest fish or pez domino as it is known locally, and the research being done in the Mexican Caribbean, films, music and more. The festivities draw to a close on July 19.

Whale Shark Season

jgreen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:35:56 +0000

Watching the Whale Sharks

We all dream about a once in a lifetime adventure, whether it is sailing the South Pacific, staying at a chateau in the Loire Valley or playing golf at St. Andrews, but did you know that you can have your own unforgettable experience right here in the Mexican Caribbean? Apart from the mysteries of the ancient Mayan cities that dot the peninsula, you can take to the water for a trip to see the whale sharks, the largest fish in the world.

These gentle giants, yes, they are plankton feeders, spend the summer months in an area off the coast of Holbox and Cabo Catoche, the northern tip of the state of Quintana Roo, where the waters of the Caribbean mingle with those of the Gulf of Mexico. Mexican scientists have been able to identify around 200 whale sharks in the area and believe that this is the largest gathering in the world. International research findings reveal that whale sharks are great ocean travelers, congregating in a handful of spots around the world such as Australia, Fiji, the Sea of Cortez, Quintana Roo, Belize and Honduras to feed and breed.

In recognition of its importance for migrating whale sharks, Mexican President Felipe Calderon recently declared this stretch of ocean off Holbox a biosphere reserve, thus extending the Yum Balam Reserve which already protects the area‚ coastal wetlands and lagoons.

If you would like to meet the pez domino as local fishermen affectionately call it in reference to its speckled and striped markings, Thomas More Travel offers an amazing nature trip that gives you the chance to swim and snorkel with these peaceful creatures in the company of a knowledgeable guide.