Jim Abernethy and I just wrapped up this years series of whale shark aggregation trips off Isla Mujeres, Mexico. As with they prior two years (see videos), this year was a home run with incredible in-water and topside activity and on peak days, several hundred whale sharks gathered in the space of 1 square km. When we first discovered the aggregation, we could never have guessed how it would transform the the tiny island of Isla Mujeres into the worlds whale shark mecca. Nowhere else can you swim with such huge numbers of whale sharks, in blue water with such a great degree of certainty.
Ocean full of whale sharks
Our guests hailed from all over the world including Hong Kong, France, Europe, Australia and of course the US, among others. Many guests reported this was one of the best experiences of their lives. This year we are also hosted a special WildAid supporter trip that delivered in spades.
The whale shark activity was full on, the Island delightful, the hotel and pool a welcome haven after a long day on the water,and the guacamole, cervezas, and gelato unforgettable.
Douglas Seifert enjoys a gelato after a hard day of whale sharking
Please enjoy this small sample of images from thousands of images taken on our trips.
L-R: WildAid Crew - Shawn, Jeanne, Raymond, Walter, Sharon, Richard Branson, Samantha, Mark, Pete, Keith, Corrie
Dr Robert Hueter - Whale Shark Researcher
Peter Knights - Executive Director WildAid with Whale Shark
Whale Shark eats tourism boat
Briana Rivera with Whale Shark
Richard Branson sharing a whale shark moment (video grab)
Ocean full of whale sharks
Greg, Debbie and David after looking the wrong way!
Corie Knights enjoying a whale shark moment
Mantas and whale sharks feeding frenzy
Whale shark with manta Birostris below
Manta Birostris with whale shark behind
Whale shark taking a BIG gulp
Corie Knights with feeding whale shark
Peter and Corie Knights enjoying a whale shark moment
Whale shark smile
Douglas Seifert drops down to capture silhouette shot
Two whale sharks split as they approach
Stationary whale shark feeds below surface
Huge whale shark rises below the Lilly M
Whale shark in vertical feeding posture
Whale shark refelections
Gordon Klein silhouetted with two whale sharks
Three whale sharks cross while feeding
Whale shark passed by drifting sargassum with colony of minows
Cownose rays glide below whale shark aggregation
Gordon Klein drifts down below whale shark
Danielle Heinrichs photographing whale sharks
Whale shark feeds in glassy calm seas
Whale shark poops
Sailfish dart through whale shark aggregation
Loggerhead turtle drifts below whale sharks
Whale shark filters eggs through its gills
Whale sharks cross while feeding
Danielle Heinrichs enjoying the whale shark action
Left-Right: Greg, Captain Rojelio, Gordon, Shawn, Phil, Debbie, David and 1st Mate Juan
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