Whale Shark Festival - July 2009 at Isla Mujeres, Mexico

The second annual Whale Shark Festival at Isla Mujeres, Mexico is scheduled to take place from July 15–19, 2009. Located off the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres may be extremely hot during the summer, but guests will have plenty of opportunities to cool off by immersing themselves in the cool, blue Caribbean waters.

Lasting five days, the Whale Shark Festival celebrates island culture, drawing thousands of visitors to the island to learn about the largest fish in the world Currently listed as an endangered species, whale sharks can reach up to 40 feet in length and weigh up to 15 tons.

Highlighting the festival is the unforgettable experience of swimming with whale sharks, which are considered to be filter eaters and pose no immediate threat to humans. Daily excursions take guests to an area where whale sharks congregate, providing swimmers with a rare opportunity to spend time with these large and powerful animals. Accompanying swimmers are fully licensed guides that are also expert divers...[Link]