Cancun Bull Shark Season Begins This Month: Here’s How You Can See Them

Cancun’s winter underwater show is about to switch from spots to stripes… to big, powerful bull sharks.

Every year starting in mid-November, pregnant female bull sharks migrate to the coast of the Riviera Maya — mainly off Playa del Carmen — and it turns into one of the most unique dives in the Mexican Caribbean. This year’s season is expected to run roughly from November 15 to mid-February, with sightings continuing into March depending on conditions.

And yes — even if you’re staying in Cancun, you can still do it. We at The Cancun Sun want to walk you through how it works, how to do it safely, and the mistakes to avoid so your dive isn’t canceled at the last minute.

Where the sharks actually are

Here’s the first thing travelers need to know: despite the name, the main, regulated bull shark dives happen in Playa del Carmen, about an hour to 75 minutes from Cancun’s Hotel Zone depending on traffic.

That’s why operators in Cancun and Puerto Morelos will usually transfer you south or book you directly with Playa-based shops that already follow the local rules. The dive sites sit around 25 meters / 80 feet deep and are strictly observational — no feeding, no touching, small groups, certified guides only.

This is very different from random shark sightings that sometimes prompt beach warnings — like those we reported on in Playa del Carmen — where authorities tell swimmers to get out and follow lifeguard instructions. Those alerts are about keeping people out of the water, not inviting them in.

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Why November matters

Local dive groups and the municipality have already confirmed the arrival of the sharks for mid-November, with the core of the experience running through January and February, when visibility and water temps are at their best. If you’re building a winter itinerary that already includes a snorkeling day — say, the always-popular whale shark tours we cover every summer — think of bull sharks as the colder-season, scuba-only cousin.

What experience level you need

Because of the depth and the fact that you’re staying in one place while sharks circle, most shops will ask for Open Water Diver or equivalent. Some will let you do a check dive first or offer an upgrade course a day earlier, but don’t count on being taken straight from your resort pool to 80 feet with sharks — reputable operators in Quintana Roo don’t do that. That’s one of the reasons this experience has such a good safety record and is backed by local conservation groups.

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How to book it from Cancun

Pick a Cancun- or Playa-based operator that specifically mentions “bull shark season / Playa del Carmen.”
Confirm transport — many will pick up from the Cancun area for a fee; otherwise, the ADO bus to Playa is straightforward and we’ve recommended the route before in our budget Riviera Maya coverage.
Ask about their protocol: no feeding, small groups, certified dive guides, and adherence to local rules (CONANP opens the season and can close it if conditions change).
Bring cash for marine park / dock fees.

Is it safe?

Mexico’s Caribbean coast is very proactive about marine tourism rules — we’ve already seen that with new safety legislation and with how strictly whale shark tours are run. Those same traveler-first policies are why bull shark dives remain observational only. And remember: across Mexico there have been very few shark incidents in centuries, and beach lifeguards here know when to keep swimmers out. Cancun even boosts lifeguard numbers before busy seasons.

Quick tips before you go

Go earlier in the season (late Nov–Jan) for better odds.
Don’t wear dangling gear or bright objects.
Follow every signal from your guide — they do this every day in season.
If the port closes or conditions change, be flexible; the operator isn’t being dramatic, they’re following the rules that keep this experience going year after year.

If you’re in Cancun this winter and want a brag-worthy, genuinely local experience that isn’t just cenotes and tacos, hopping down to Playa del Carmen to see bull sharks is about as “only-in-the-Mexican-Caribbean” as it gets.