One of the many purposes of travelling is finding experiences so intensely beautiful that make people feel renovated, even enlightened, after coming back home. After a period where we’ve been forced to stay home and to reflect, travellers are putting even more importance on choosing unique activities for their future travels – and finding such activities can be overwhelming. Usually, those unforgettable experiences come from an encounter with nature. The connection with the elements and the excitement of interacting with any of the thousands of incredible species that share the planet with us, living freely, is one of the most sought experiences by today’s travellers. Cancun, the Caribbean jewel of Mexico, is where one of those adventures can be found. Here are 4 reasons why swimming with whale sharks in Cancun is a life-changing experience.
Enjoying the journey
Hopping on to a small boat very early in the morning as the sunrise tenderly colours the sky, and the sea reveals its million shades of blue, to arrive at the whale shark site, is a jaw-dropping journey. Sometimes we don’t take the time to stop and realise there’s so much to see and enjoy around us, until the opportunity presents itself. The landscape of the Caribbean is so beautiful that some even think that the tour could finish there and still be satisfied. There’s always beauty hidden along the way, and we’re so worried about the destination, that we tend to miss the details. This experience lets travellers reconnect with that feeling.
Living in the moment
Once at the whale shark site, adventurers take turns to hop into the water with these gentle beasts. This way, the whale sharks don’t feel threatened, and travellers get to live an authentic up-close experience. Don’t get us wrong: even though these animals are harmless, their imposing size makes you think twice before taking the leap of faith into the water. Fortunately, the experienced guides know how to make travellers safe, and there’s really no time to be afraid of these harmless creatures! Once in the water, people realise there’s no reason to be so.
Snorkelling makes for a great exercise of meditation. The feeling of breathing underwater one breath at a time, lets you find the value of an instant and how the present is continuously becoming the past. Every breath, every stroke, every blink of an eye is part of a process, and it must be appreciated.
Perspective
We tend to think we’re the most significant creatures in the universe, but what we don’t realise is that we’re not even the most significant thing on this planet. It’s apparent when you’re talking literally, but when you put it in a metaphorical viewpoint, that’s what you get: perspective. While being barely two metres away from these humongous creatures can be scary, it’s pretty easy to realise how unaware of our existence they are; whale sharks couldn’t care less about humans or even boats. These calm, plankton-eating wonders makes one realise how tiny humans really are and that there is more to explore outside of our routine. It’s an excellent opportunity to get rid of fears and feel that natural connection.
Discovering a New World
Did you know that less than five percent of the world’s oceans have been discovered to this date? Considering that oceans cover over 70 percent of the world’s surface, there’s a lot that remains unseen. While snorkelling with whale sharks will not take travellers to discover a new section of the ocean, by the end of the tour, the fortunate adventurers will definitely have their eyes opened to a whole new world of life and colour.
There’s nothing like sharing the underwater ecosystems with their natural inhabitants to learn why it is essential to take good care of them and preserve our oceans. Our aquatic ecosystems need us as much as we need them, and genuinely experiencing them in depth gives us a new perspective of their value to life itself. If you’re interested to learn more about the possibilities to swim with whale sharks in Mexico, reach out to our team as Discova to discuss future travel options.