My very first encounter with Whale Shark Tours on the Mayan Riviera was incredibly special. Of course all my dives are special but this one touched me in a way that outshines most other dives.

I went to Cozumel to check it out for the first time a little while back. I was there with fellow diver and friend Nancy Boucha who co-owns Scuba Systems in Skokie, Illinois. Nancy had a stroke seven months earlier and this was her first trip back into the water. She joined me on the Whale Shark Tour. We took the early 6 a.m. ferry from Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen where we were met by the "Whale Shark Express" Transport service. Just over 45 minutes later we were on a luxury 29' Lancha headed out to the Whale Shark feeding area. Once there we encountered over 20 Whale sharks peacefully swimming on the surface quietly gulping in massive amounts of krill and plankton. These small creatures are the Whale sharks' primary diet and the reason they return to the Yucatan each year. They didn't seem to mind our presence while we snorkeled right next to them. These creatures saw that we were not threat to them and they were no threat to us. It was amazing!

During our whale shark tour we were provided sandwiches, fruit, water and soft drinks. A treat of fresh ceviche was provided on the way back while we were able to "cool down" at a colorful reef. Once back in Cancun we were taken in air conditioned comfort back to Playa Del Carmen. It was great to sit back and reflect on an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience! Nancy had a great time and she thought it was totally worth it. Frankly so did I.

Roddrigo Sidney, owner of Holbox Whale Shark Tours and Cancun Whale Shark Tours specializes in Whale Shark tours during the season. He understands why we were so enthralled. "We started our Whale Shark Tour service about 7 years ago," Sidney says. "I live on Holbox; it's a cool little place. One day some people were out fishing and they happened upon the whale sharks. They had seen these whale sharks off Africa and they got very excited; they told everyone. Before you knew it people were trying to ride them, it was a bit of a mess but then the government stepped in and started protecting them, which was needed." Sidney says that when the government started regulating who could go out he teamed up with some local friends and Holbox Whale Shark Tours was born. "Everyone should see these at least once in their lifetime," Sidney says.

If you are interested in taking the Whale Shark tours contact Roddrigo aka "The Whale Shark Daddy" at www.holboxwhalesharktours.com or www.cancunwhalesharktours.com or by phone USA Direct 305-396-6987 or 305-433-7523 He'll personally see you get to check this off your "bucket list". ■