Would you swim with sharks? Selachophobia is a serious problem for many swimmers; it is the scientific name for an abnormal and persistent fear of sharks.  Sufferers are usually completely unable to swim in the sea. Some people are so scared of sharks that a simple picture of them alone could induce panic attacks.

 Selachophobia rose sharply after the release of the movies Jaw, a horrific film, where the aggressiveness of a hungry shark was exaggerated.

Nurse sharks (Gynglimostomatidae Cirratum) is a species inhabiting deep waters of tropical and subtropical parts of the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and East Coast of the Pacific. Its existence dates to before the era of dinosaurs. Nurse sharks are largely nocturnal creatures, usually resting on sandy bottoms or in caves by day and emerging to feed actively at night. Their diet includes fish, stingrays, as well as crustaceans and mollusks, not humans.

They  use their strong pectoral fins to pull themselves along the seabed but they can also swim in the traditional manner. Their maximum size is about 3 meters’ / 110kg and litters typically between 20 and 40 pups.

Xcaret Park, at the Riviera Maya, Mexico has an innovative interactive adventure, an activity that will let you pet and swim with sharks. Your interaction with sharks begins on a platform, where you will have direct contact with a group of four peaceful sharks.

In this interactive program, highly qualified trainers will explain to you about the physiology, reproduction and hunting habits of sharks. You can touch the sharks and snorkel near them, always under the trainer’s supervision.

You will have some pictures taken and at the end of your visit, you will be able to  purchase them to show to your friends back at home your great adventure at Xcaret Park, swimming next to the most feared creatures.

This is an additional activity which is not included with your  Xcaret Admission Tickets. The cost is 59 usd. There are two available schedules: 2:15 p.m and 3:45 p.m. The duration of the activity is 45 min.

Pregnant women or people with heart problems, diabetes or hypertension cannot swim with sharks.  Sharks! Interactive Adventure has a capacity for six people per group only. Mínimum required age is 8.

Ask your Travel Agent about Xcaret Tours and confirm your reservation to swim with sharks upon your arrival to Xcaret Park.