Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
Shark Week 2016 kicks off Sunday and continues through July 3. And while many shark fans will be glued to their TV screens or flocking to the aquarium, some lucky travelers will be enjoying the majestic animals up close.
If you're one of those travelers looking to shake things up this upcoming Shark Week, consider one of these three hotels.
Hilton at Resorts World Bimini
[IMAGECAPTION] Photo courtesy of Resorts World Bimini. [/IMAGECAPTION]
The Bahamas is no stranger to sharks - it's home to more than 40 different species - and is therefore the ideal destination to experience the equally feared and beloved animals up close.
At the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini, guests can join on-site tour operator Bimini Undersea for a guided dive with hammerheads.
And for truly courageous guests, the Bimini Islands even offer opportunities to cage dive with bull sharks.
[READMORE] READ MORE: Check Out Southwest's New Shark Week Plane [/READMORE]
But if jumping into an underwater cage is too far outside of your comfort zone, the resort offers a unique island excursion for guests interested in learning more about sharks from a distance. The excursion to South Bimini includes a visit to the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, perhaps better known as the Sharklab.
Here, guests will meet shark scientists and work toward becoming an expert themselves through interaction with juvenile sharks.
CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort & JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
[IMAGECAPTION] Photo courtesy of the Marriott Cancun Collection. [/IMAGECAPTION]
While certainly not the first species that comes to mind when you think "shark," the whale shark boasts the unique distinction of being the biggest and friendliest in the sea.
Fortunately, this summer you won't be limited to watching them swim past on your TV screen. Because guests staying at the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort or its sister property JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa in Cancun, Mexico will have the opportunity to snorkel alongside whale sharks.
[READMORE] READ MORE: Go Underwater And Sleep With Sharks Thanks To Airbnb [/READMORE]
During the summer months, a boat takes shark-loving guests at each of the two resorts to where the Caribbean Sea meets the Gulf of Mexico. Here - because whale sharks eat plankton and aren't harmful to humans - guests will be able to swim with the friendly creatures.
What's more, guests can check out a GoPro HER04 camera from the hotel for the day and document the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
And when you're not swimming with the sharks or interacting with them in the Sharklab, you can pop on the Discovery Channel in your guestroom and get inspired all over again.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
