Swimming with the Whalesharks

Getty Image

@DianneN (246906)

United States

August 8, 2016 12:50pm CST

We were thrilled to hear from our younger son and his fiancé yesterday. They arrived safely in Cancun, Mexico. They boarded a ferry which took them 20 miles east to Isla Mujeres. They took a cab to their hotel with a large room overlooking the beach and Caribbean Sea. He said it was a nice hotel by Mexican standards, but it isn't The Ritz. The only transportation is by golf cart, except for cabs. He rented one, and left early with Maddie to catch a boat. They will be snorkeling among the huge whalesharks. I hope they don't get eaten!

27 people like this

27 responses

@jaboUK (64361)

• United Kingdom

8 Aug 16

What fun that will be for them.

5 people like this

show previous comments

@jaboUK (64361)

• United Kingdom

8 Aug 16

@DianneN I think I'd enjoy it myself.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

@jaboUK I'm too afraid of sharks of any kind, just behind snakes and spiders. They found a pod of whalesharks and swam with them. They were crazy enough to touch them! They had fun and were not gobbled up! I'm relieved.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

8 Aug 16

For them. So not for me! Lol!

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (306386)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

8 Aug 16

I'm sure they are practicing safety habits. I'm glad they arrived safe.

5 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

8 Aug 16

I'm certain they are. My son is pretty savvy. He even bought a special underwater camera.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (306386)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

10 Aug 16

@DianneN That's awesome. That should make for some very interesting pictures.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

10 Aug 16

@just4him I posted one today. They loved it!

1 person likes this

@much2say (53958)

• Los Angeles, California

8 Aug 16

Now that's an adventure! My goodness those whalesharks look gigantic! Well I hope they are playing it safe - I sure wouldn't want them to get eaten either

!

2 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

They did it! They found a pod and swam with them as well as touched them. I'm so happy they weren't gobbled up. Lol! I'm laughing from relief.

1 person likes this

@much2say (53958)

• Los Angeles, California

10 Aug 16

Wow, I hope someone was able to take photos of their adventure - that must've been pretty cool - it's not everyday you get to swim with the sharks! These whalesharks don't look so menacing like the great white or those other typical scary looking ones!

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

13 Aug 16

@much2say I posted one here if you scroll.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Teep11 (7674)

• United States

8 Aug 16

I'm sure all will be fine. There's a lot to see and Mexico seems so inviting. I'm sure the people are so friendly.

5 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

8 Aug 16

Thank you! One still has to be careful in Mexico. It's so nice hearing from you again!!!!

1 person likes this

@skysnap (20154)

•

8 Aug 16

That is some big creature right there.

5 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

8 Aug 16

It scares the heck out of me!

2 people like this

@garymarsh6 (23393)

• United Kingdom

8 Aug 16

How exciting for them. I bet they will have a whale of a time excuse the pun! I think most of the hotels in the Cancun area are really very good. Quite luxurious compared to some places. I hope they have a great time and get to see the whales!

4 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

8 Aug 16

I agree. The hotels are very nice. I loved your pun! Lol!!!!

1 person likes this

@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

9 Aug 16

I am sure they won't be eaten because they aren't carnivorous and feeds on planktons . We also have that tourist attraction in the next province to us . Tourists gets to swim near the whalesharks . Though , it is seasonal and summer is the best time . My daughter and her boyfriend has done it already and they truly enjoyed it .

2 people like this

show previous comments

@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

10 Aug 16

@DianneN They are friendly . It's just forbidden to ride on them because they might really whack the rider.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

They could have gotten whacked by one, but I'm happy it's over and they had fun.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61047)

• United States

8 Aug 16

lol I went snorkeling in Cancun and that is where I discovered, I HATE IT!! lol I hope our son and fiance have a great time and wear shark repellant

2 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

8 Aug 16

You poor thing! At least you found out you hated it before you took up scuba diving! Lol! No repellent in the water, not even sunscreen. It's bad for the underwater life, including coral. I only hope they don't get a bad burn or get eaten.

1 person likes this

@Juliaacv (48478)

• Canada

9 Aug 16

That is a mammoth-sized animal here! I hope that they only swim with the sharks that have already eaten or are on a diet!

2 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

He and Maddie swam with a pod of them today and touched them. He said it was awesome!

1 person likes this

@Tampa_girl7 (49013)

• United States

8 Aug 16

Snorkeling with sharks would not be my cup of tea

2 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

8 Aug 16

They did it and loved it! Not my cup of tea either.

@DeborahDiane (40056)

• Laguna Woods, California

9 Aug 16

@DianneN - I have heard that whalesharks are very gentle. I'm sure they will have a wonderful time. It has been years since my husband and I were at Isla Mujeres, but it is a fascinating place. Glad they are having a great time.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@DeborahDiane (40056)

• Laguna Woods, California

10 Aug 16

@DianneN - Whew! I'm glad you son was able to get out of way and not get whacked by the whaleshark! Sounds like quite an adventure!

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

16 Aug 16

@DeborahDiane Thank goodness he saw it preparing to make a U-Turn. He was swimming alongside it and examining its gills. Lol!

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

10 Aug 16

They lucked out and found a pod. They are gentle unless one gets hit with their tail or gets in front of them! My son had to swim like crazy to get out of one's path. It's a beautiful beach resort town.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@acelawrites (19273)

• Philippines

9 Aug 16

Whalesharks are friendly. They would enjoy it so much. Such a great experience indeed.

2 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

Yes, they are. They saw enormous manta rays, too.

@rina110383 (24495)

•

9 Aug 16

That shark is scary. Your son is an adventurous one.

2 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

He swam with a pod of them today. I wouldn't get in the water if I knew they were there!

1 person likes this

Devansh Stifler

@stifler0207 (514)

• New Delhi, India

8 Aug 16

This is very big. I am got scared. I will never go into the water for such a adventure. I only have fear of this thing. I don't even think about this even in my dream. This is so scary.

2 people like this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

8 Aug 16

So sorry. It's not for everyone, including me!!!

1 person likes this

Devansh Stifler

@stifler0207 (514)

• New Delhi, India

9 Aug 16

@DianneN Its very very scary.

1 person likes this

@salonga (27775)

• Philippines

9 Aug 16

Oh my God, that sounds scary although I learned there are sharks who are not really dangerous.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@salonga (27775)

• Philippines

9 Aug 16

@DianneN But still I won't enjoy swimming with them.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

The only danger is getting hit by one. These don't bite. They had fun and found a pod to swim with. They also say huge manta rays.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

10 Aug 16

@salonga Neither would I. My son told me they are also in the Philippines.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@allknowing (130064)

• India

10 Aug 16

Yet to hear of any mother being comfortable hearing that their son would be snorkeling among the whale sharks

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@allknowing (130064)

• India

17 Aug 16

@DianneN A grown man could stll behave like a kid sometimes (lol)

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

16 Aug 16

he's a grown man. What's a mother to do???

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

18 Aug 16

@allknowing Both mine do! So does their father!

@divalounger (5849)

• United States

9 Aug 16

A bit scary and exciting!! I am sure it will be fine though--try not to worry!

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

They survived and saw a pod of whalesharks. They even touched them.

1 person likes this

@divalounger (5849)

• United States

9 Aug 16

@DianneN This must have been exciting for them!

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

9 Aug 16

@divalounger It was! It was on my son's bucket list. Lol!

1 person likes this

@akp100 (13640)

• India

9 Aug 16

That's looking great. I would love to do the same thing too, but never got chance.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@akp100 (13640)

• India

19 Aug 16

@DianneN I hope so. It is like my dream. Let's see when it comes to true.

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

18 Aug 16

I hope you get the chance someday.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@ridingbet (66857)

• Philippines

10 Aug 16

wow, big fish. is he the one in that picture?

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

13 Aug 16

No, that was a Getty image. Here is his.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

13 Aug 16

@DianneN And this

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

13 Aug 16

And this

1 person likes this

@RubyHawk (99425)

• Atlanta, Georgia

16 Aug 16

I hope they don't get eaten, I have a niece that loves snorkeling. It's not for me.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (246906)

• United States

16 Aug 16

Whale Sharks only eat plankton. They just had to not get run over by one or hit with a tail. They are home safe and sound now.

1 person likes this

@RubyHawk (99425)

• Atlanta, Georgia

18 Aug 16

@DianneN Very good.

1 person likes this