If you were anywhere near social media this week, you probably saw the video. Panic at Forum Beach in the Cancun Hotel Zone. Tourists sprinting out of the water. Screams of “Shark! Shark!” echoing down the sand.
The Cancun Sun team lives and breathes Cancun; we watch clips like these with a healthy dose of skepticism.
We see this every winter. A dark shadow moves through the turquoise water, a fin pops up, and suddenly everyone thinks they are an extra in Jaws. But before you cancel your snorkeling tour or refuse to dip a toe in the Caribbean, let’s look at what is actually happening.
Here is the truth about that viral video and what you really need to know about sharks in Cancun.
The Viral Video: Shark or Imposter?
The video circulating from January 13 shows two fins cutting through the water near the shore at Forum Beach (a super popular spot). Naturally, people scrambled.
But here is the catch: local experts and dive masters who viewed the footage are pretty convinced those weren’t sharks. They were likely Eagle Rays or Manta Rays.
How can you tell the difference? It’s all in the movement.
Sharks: Their dorsal fins are rigid and cut through the water in a straight line. They don’t flop around.
Rays: Their wingtips break the surface and have an “undulating” or waving motion. They tend to look like two flexible fins dipping up and down.
Given that we are currently in the peak migration season for Spotted Eagle Rays (which runs from December to March), it is highly probable that the “attackers” were just some rays cruising the shallows looking for a snack in the sand.
But… Are There Sharks in Cancun?
Okay, I’m not going to sugarcoat it: Yes, there are sharks in the ocean.
The Mexican Caribbean is a wild ecosystem, not a swimming pool. We actually have a specific season for Bull Sharks, which typically hang out in the area from November to March to give birth in the cooler waters.
However, seeing one near a crowded beach like Forum is incredibly rare. Bull sharks generally prefer deeper waters or specific breeding grounds. They aren’t looking to tangle with humans.
To put this in perspective: The last high-profile, non-fatal incident in Cancun involving a tourist was back in March 2023, when a young boy was bitten, and then a claim was later made that it was actually a barracuda.
While terrifying, these events are statistically anomalies. You are vastly more likely to get injured by a falling coconut or a rogue jet ski than a shark.
What To Do If You See A Shadow
If you are in the water and you see something large moving nearby, your instinct might be to thrash around and swim for your life. Do not do that.
Here is the advice I follow and share with friends visiting the region:
Stay Calm (Seriously): Thrashing looks like a wounded fish. Sharks are ambush predators; they like easy meals. If you act like prey, you become interesting.
Exit Gracefully: Don’t sprint. Swim smoothly and purposefully toward the shore.
Check the Flags: Lifeguards in Cancun are pros. If they spot dangerous marine life, they will switch the flag to Red (Danger) or sometimes White (Dangerous Marine Fauna, though this often means jellyfish or stingrays). If the whistle blows, get out. No arguments.
Avoid Dawn and Dusk: Sharks are most active when the light is low. If you swim at sunrise or sunset, you are entering their dining room during dinner service.
The Real Danger: The Sun and The Riptides
I always tell people that the ocean demands respect, but not fear. The panic over this video is a classic case of mistaken identity.
The reality is that thousands of people swim in Cancun every single day without seeing anything scarier than a tiny crab.
The biggest threats to your safety are actually dehydration, sunburn, and strong riptides—not the apex predators.
Stay Calm And Cancun On
Don’t let a viral video ruin your trip.
The water in Cancun is some of the most beautiful on the planet. Go for a swim, enjoy the waves, and if you see a floppy fin pop up, grab your camera instead of screaming. It’s probably just a ray saying hello.
That said, if you’re still feeling uneasy about the open ocean, maybe stick to a resort with an epic pool deck for a few days.
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