The Peaceful Giant of Dots and Lights

In 2017, while pursuing my master's degree, I had the incredible opportunity to swim with whale sharks (Rhincodon typus). My friend and I were invited to join a trip to the Biosphere Reserve Tiburon Ballena (which means Whale Shark in Spanish) off the coast of Cancun, Mexico.

"Put on your fins, there is one whale shark coming, ready? Go!" In a blink, I was in the water and saw this giant approaching, gracefully turning as it fed on zooplankton.

Since then, I have also swam with whale sharks in Bahia de Los Angeles and La Paz. However, the water there is not as clear as in Cancun. Floating in the middle of the ocean with whale sharks in astonishingly clear water is truly something from another world.