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Whale shark feeding with its mouth open in green-blue water off Holbox

Which of the three is on in your month

Holbox Snorkeling Season

Whale sharks 1 June – 15 September. The Cabo Catoche reef and the night swim every month.

Trip for SeptemberCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
5.05 reviews
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

If you read one paragraph

Best Time to Snorkel in Holbox — Short Answer

Come between 1 June and 15 September for whale sharks, ideally in July or August. Any other month, book the Cabo Catoche reef, which runs all year. The night bioluminescence swim runs all year too; pick a night with little moon and no rain.

Jul–Augbest whale-shark odds
12/12months the reef runs
1.5 hnight swim, any month
Tap your month →

Two and a half months, and a catch

Whale Shark Season Holbox — 1 June to 15 September

Whale shark season in Holbox runs from 1 June to 15 September. Outside those dates no operator on the island sells the swim: the animals leave the plankton-rich water north of the Yucatán, and the whale-shark tour on GetYourGuide simply has no bookable days — on 26 September 2026 its calendar was empty until June 2027, when the first dates for next season were already open at the same $218 per person.

The best odds are in July and August. Sighting reports from travellers cluster in those two months, and every review we quote from the tour's 267 (average 4.9) was written between June and August.

Early June and the first half of September are the edges: the sharks are there, but boats sometimes spend longer searching. One reviewer in August wrote that it took about three hours to find the sharks; another said the area that day was closer to Cancún than to Holbox. Plan for a long morning on the water whatever the date.

THE CATCHThe season overlaps with the rainy months. Book the swim early in your stay.

The season has a catch that no brochure prints next to the price: it overlaps with the rainy months. Trips can be called off for weather, and the tour lists people with motion sickness among those it is not suitable for. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding, book early in your stay so a cancelled day can be rebooked, and stay at least two nights on the island rather than trying it as a day trip from Cancún.

  1. Take seasickness medication before boarding.
  2. Book the swim early in your stay.
  3. Stay at least two nights on the island.

Rules are the same on every legal boat: a maximum of 10 people, two swimmers plus a guide per shark at a time, two entries each, no touching, no flash photography, and only biodegradable sunscreen in the water. Children under 10, pregnant women and people with mobility impairments are not accepted. Hotel pickup is not included — you meet at the Marina VIP Holbox office at 6:30 AM.

If your dates fall outside 1 June – 15 September, the reef at Cabo Catoche is the trip to book instead: it runs all year, the boat ride is 40–45 minutes, and you snorkel as long as you like. Check the month-by-month strip below to see which of the three trips is on in your month.

Reviewer details come from GetYourGuide reviews of the tour written in June–August 2026.

Tap a month to see what's on

Holbox Snorkeling Calendar

January

Best forThe Cabo Catoche reef: rays and nurse sharks, 2–4 m of water
Avoid ifYou came for whale sharks — the season starts 1 June
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

February

Best forThe Cabo Catoche reef: rays and nurse sharks, 2–4 m of water
Avoid ifYou came for whale sharks — the season starts 1 June
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

March

Best forThe Cabo Catoche reef: rays and nurse sharks, 2–4 m of water
Avoid ifYou came for whale sharks — the season starts 1 June
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

April

Best forThe Cabo Catoche reef: rays and nurse sharks, 2–4 m of water
Avoid ifYou came for whale sharks — the season starts 1 June
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

May

Best forThe Cabo Catoche reef: rays and nurse sharks, 2–4 m of water
Avoid ifYou came for whale sharks — the season starts 1 June
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

June

Best forThe first whale sharks, plus the reef on a calmer day
Avoid ifYou get seasick: 1.5–3 h each way to the sharks
Trip of the monthHolbox: Search and Swim with Whale Sharks! All Inclusive.
from$218per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check 2027 dates

No hotel pickup — meet at the marina

July

Best forWhale sharks: the best odds of the year
Avoid ifYou get seasick: 1.5–3 h each way to the sharks
Trip of the monthHolbox: Search and Swim with Whale Sharks! All Inclusive.
from$218per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check 2027 dates

No hotel pickup — meet at the marina

August

Best forWhale sharks: the best odds of the year
Avoid ifYou get seasick: 1.5–3 h each way to the sharks
Trip of the monthHolbox: Search and Swim with Whale Sharks! All Inclusive.
from$218per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check 2027 dates

No hotel pickup — meet at the marina

September

Best forWhale sharks until the 15th, then the reef
Avoid ifYou arrive after 15 September and want sharks
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

October

Best forThe Cabo Catoche reef: rays and nurse sharks, 2–4 m of water
Avoid ifYou came for whale sharks — the season starts 1 June
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

November

Best forThe Cabo Catoche reef: rays and nurse sharks, 2–4 m of water
Avoid ifYou came for whale sharks — the season starts 1 June
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

December

Best forThe Cabo Catoche reef: rays and nurse sharks, 2–4 m of water
Avoid ifYou came for whale sharks — the season starts 1 June
Trip of the monthCabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing
from$100per personPrices checked 28 Sep 2026
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

The rainy season overlaps the whale-shark season — trips can be called off for weather.

Twelve short answers

Holbox Snorkeling Month by Month

Januaryfrom $100
No sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in January

In January there are no whale sharks off Holbox; the season runs 1 June to 15 September. Book the Cabo Catoche reef instead: 40–45 min each way, a shallow reef of about 2–4 m, and you snorkel as long as you like. Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing costs from $100 per person with hotel pickup; Cape Catoche Adventure and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Holbox is from $99 with bilingual guides. The bioluminescence swim runs too; pick a night with little moon.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Februaryfrom $100
No sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in February

In February there are no whale sharks off Holbox; the season runs 1 June to 15 September. Book the Cabo Catoche reef instead: 40–45 min each way, a shallow reef of about 2–4 m, and you snorkel as long as you like. Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing costs from $100 per person with hotel pickup; Cape Catoche Adventure and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Holbox is from $99 with bilingual guides. The bioluminescence swim runs too; pick a night with little moon.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Marchfrom $100
No sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in March

In March there are no whale sharks off Holbox; the season runs 1 June to 15 September. Book the Cabo Catoche reef instead: 40–45 min each way, a shallow reef of about 2–4 m, and you snorkel as long as you like. Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing costs from $100 per person with hotel pickup; Cape Catoche Adventure and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Holbox is from $99 with bilingual guides. The bioluminescence swim runs too; pick a night with little moon.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Aprilfrom $100
No sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in April

In April there are no whale sharks off Holbox; the season runs 1 June to 15 September. Book the Cabo Catoche reef instead: 40–45 min each way, a shallow reef of about 2–4 m, and you snorkel as long as you like. Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing costs from $100 per person with hotel pickup; Cape Catoche Adventure and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Holbox is from $99 with bilingual guides. The bioluminescence swim runs too; pick a night with little moon.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Mayfrom $100
No sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in May

In May there are no whale sharks off Holbox; the season runs 1 June to 15 September. Book the Cabo Catoche reef instead: 40–45 min each way, a shallow reef of about 2–4 m, and you snorkel as long as you like. Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing costs from $100 per person with hotel pickup; Cape Catoche Adventure and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Holbox is from $99 with bilingual guides.

Whale sharks return on 1 June; if your dates straddle the change, book the reef first and the sharks after the 1st.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Junefrom $218
Whale sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in June

June opens the whale-shark season on the 1st. Holbox: Search and Swim with Whale Sharks! All Inclusive. leaves Marina VIP Holbox at 6:30 AM, lasts 7 hours and costs from $218 per person; expect 1.5–3 h each way on the boat for two short swims. Early in the season boats can spend longer searching. The reef at Cabo Catoche runs as usual and makes a calmer second day.

Holbox: Search and Swim with Whale Sharks! All Inclusive. →
Julyfrom $218
Whale sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in July

July is the heart of the whale-shark season and has the best odds of a sighting. The swim is a 7-hour day from 6:30 AM, from $218 per person, with at most 10 people on the boat and two swimmers plus a guide in the water. The rainy season overlaps the shark season and trips can be called off, so book it early in your stay.

Holbox: Search and Swim with Whale Sharks! All Inclusive. →
Augustfrom $218
Whale sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in August

August is the heart of the whale-shark season and has the best odds of a sighting. The swim is a 7-hour day from 6:30 AM, from $218 per person, with at most 10 people on the boat and two swimmers plus a guide in the water. The rainy season overlaps the shark season and trips can be called off, so book it early in your stay.

Holbox: Search and Swim with Whale Sharks! All Inclusive. →
SeptemberNOWfrom $100
Sharks to 15thReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in September

September is split. Until the 15th the whale sharks are still there and the tour runs; after that the season closes and the Cabo Catoche reef is the trip to book, from $100 per person with hotel pickup. If you arrive in the second half of the month, plan the reef and a night swim rather than waiting for sharks.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Octoberfrom $100
No sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in October

In October there are no whale sharks off Holbox; the season runs 1 June to 15 September. Book the Cabo Catoche reef instead: 40–45 min each way, a shallow reef of about 2–4 m, and you snorkel as long as you like. Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing costs from $100 per person with hotel pickup; Cape Catoche Adventure and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Holbox is from $99 with bilingual guides.

The shark season closed on 15 September; the whale-shark tour already shows its first 2027 dates from June.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Novemberfrom $100
No sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in November

In November there are no whale sharks off Holbox; the season runs 1 June to 15 September. Book the Cabo Catoche reef instead: 40–45 min each way, a shallow reef of about 2–4 m, and you snorkel as long as you like. Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing costs from $100 per person with hotel pickup; Cape Catoche Adventure and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Holbox is from $99 with bilingual guides. The bioluminescence swim runs too; pick a night with little moon.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Decemberfrom $100
No sharksReefNight glow

Holbox Snorkeling in December

In December there are no whale sharks off Holbox; the season runs 1 June to 15 September. Book the Cabo Catoche reef instead: 40–45 min each way, a shallow reef of about 2–4 m, and you snorkel as long as you like. Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing costs from $100 per person with hotel pickup; Cape Catoche Adventure and Nature Sightseeing Tour in Holbox is from $99 with bilingual guides. The bioluminescence swim runs too; pick a night with little moon.

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing →
Check dates

Hotel pickup included

Straight answers

Holbox Snorkeling Season FAQ

July or August for whale sharks; any month for the Cabo Catoche reef. The shark season runs 1 June to 15 September and the reef tours run all year. The night swim runs all year too; pick a night with little moon.

Tap your month above →

The rainy season overlaps the shark season, and trips can be called off for weather. Book the swim early in your stay so a cancelled day can move, and stay at least two nights on the island.

Book early in your stay →

For the reef, yes: Cabo Catoche runs every month, 40–45 minutes by boat, from $100 per person with hotel pickup. There are no whale sharks in December.

See the reef trip →

No operator publishes a visibility figure. The water off the beach is often cloudy from stirred-up sand in any month; out at the Cabo Catoche reef the sea is calmer, and a calm morning is clearer than a windy afternoon. The reef tours start at 7:45–8:00 AM, which gives you the calmer part of the day.

The reef, explained →

For the reef, yes; for whale sharks, no. The shark season ends on 15 September, and on 26 September 2026 the whale-shark tour had no dates left until June 2027. Cabo Catoche runs in October as in every month, 40–45 minutes by boat, and the night bioluminescence swim runs too.

See the reef trips →

It overlaps the whale-shark season, so it matters most for the sharks. Trips can be called off for weather: book the swim early in your stay so a cancelled day can move, and keep a second day free. Cape Catoche Adventure states that a trip cancelled for bad weather is rescheduled or fully refunded.

Whale shark season →

For September

Check Dates for Your Month

Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishingfrom $100per person
Check dates