One of the most common questions when thinking of swimming with these enormous whale sharks is if it’s dangerous. Well, good news, not at all, they are totally safe to swim with, and despite their enormous size, they pose no risk to humans. But…how can I be so sure?
Some Whale Shark Facts to Feel Safe About
They are known for being the biggest fish in the world, so naturally, the whale shark size can be a little intimidating. They can grow to over 40 feet and have a five-foot broad mouth, which is pretty big right? But their teeth are nothing like their body, on the contrary, they are very tiny because they only feed on very small animals.
So…what exactly do they eat? They are filter feeders, which means that they eat plankton, krill, fish eggs, and some small deep-sea fish, so contrary to the majority of shark species, they are not interested in you at all.
Perhaps you’re still unsure. They won’t either eat or bite you, actually, have you ever heard people complaining of fish having a “yucky” smell? Well, whale sharks think we smell too. Their get hurt by the chemicals in our shampoos, deodorants, and sunscreens, and since they can be pretty sensitive, they will most likely dive far to avoid you. That’s why tour guides will politely request that when you go swimming with whale sharks you use eco-friendly sunscreen and go unclothed, this way we keep the ocean cleaner, and whale sharks will stay around longer a safely.
Although there are lots of places to meet whale sharks, The Caribbean Sea outnumbers them all, and specifically the waters of Cancun are known as the ideal place to encounter them. Actually, you can take our amazing Cancun Whale Shark Snorkeling Tour, and testify to an unforgettable experience.
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