Mexico Ultimate Whale Shark Snorkelling Encounter
Tuesday 5th to Tuesday 12th June 2008
Tuesday 12th June to Tuesday 19th June 2008
See details for 2009 dates
Costs
From: £2,295 per person based on sharing a twin room including international flights from the UK to Cancun.
The best place in the world to swim with the world’s largest fish.
Based on a charming island rich in wildlife, including manta rays, turtles, iguanas, horse-shoe crabs and flamingos
Maximum group size of only 8 people
A pretty island just off the north-eastern tip of the Mexico’s Yucutan Peninsula and surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, sleepy Isla Holbox is most people’s idea of paradise. But it is the island’s richness in wildlife and the annual return of whale sharks to these waters in considerable numbers to feed and mate that makes Holbox truly extraordinary.
In 2004 Holbox recorded a total of 173 individual whale shark sightings, ranking it the highest in the world, ahead of better known Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia (162) and Belize (47), and therefore the best place to see them.
The main attraction of this totally unique small group trip is undoubtedly the sharks themselves, which can reach a staggering size of between 15 to 50 feet and weigh as much as 10 tonnes.To ensure you have plenty of sightings we’ve designed the itinerary to include three separate trips to swim with them.
However Isla Holbox has much more to offer, its shallow waters, wetlands and mangroves harbour a wide variety of animals and birdlife, including manta rays, green and hawksbill turtles, flamingos, frigate birds.
Each tour helps fund a research project run by Pronatura, a local wildlife NGO specifically working on long-term conservation of Whale shark populations.
Make an Enquiry & learn more
Dates 2008
Tuesday 5th to Tuesday 12th June 2008
Tuesday 12th June to Tuesday 19th June 2008
Dates 2009
Friday 5th June to Sunday 12th June 2009
Sunday 12th June to Friday 19th June 2009
Costs 2008
From: £2,295 per person based on sharing a twin room.
Costs 2009
From: £2,525 per person based on sharing a twin room.
This itinerary is based on a group of only 8 people to keep it very personal and ensure plenty of time for everyone in the water with the sharks. We can run the group on a smaller number of participants, but this may incur a small supplement.
Single Supplements
We do not charge single supplements as long as you are happy to share, even if we are unable to find you a suitable room mate. The cost for a single room is approx £450 per person.
Cost Includes
International flights from the UK to Cancun return, all transfers, accommodation based on a bed and breakfast basis throughout with other meals as specified, three excursions to swim with the Whale sharks, sightseeing trips, services of local Whale shark experts and local guides as outlined in the itinerary. A contribution to Pronatura for whale shark conservation..
Cost Excludes
Lunches and dinners not specified, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, optional activities on Holbox, drinks, gratuities and items of a personal nature.
Please Note
1. Exchange rates correct at time of printing. We maintain the right to confirm the price at the time of booking with the up-to-date exchange rate.
2. In the absence of confirmed rates for International flights for 2008 we have had to base costs on current 2007 prices.
This Trip Supports..
Pronatura
Pronatura, a Mexican NGO, has an established research project studying the local whale shark population in the nearby Yum Balam & Contoy Island areas of northeast Yucatan where the sharks are found that aims at contributing to both a wider understanding of them, particularly their migration routes, population dynamics and eating habits, and the sustainable development of the sharks as a tourist attraction. Your contribution will go towards the funding of the valuable research this project is undertaking.
Field Expertise
Davide Rimoldi
For three years he has been working as a guide on the island, particularly on whale shark expeditions, where he has accrued significant knowledge of their behaviour and movements in the area. Fluent in five languages with an infectious enthusiasm for his chosen subject, Davide is the perfect host for your Holbox adventure.
As this is a new trip there is currently no direct feedback. However should you wish to talk to any number of our numerous clients who have enjoyed our Baja whale cruises in Mexico then please do contact us and we would be delighted to help put you in touch.
“Our target was to see Blue Whales and it was a dream come true. Not only one but a mother and calf – what more could be asked? It was a very emotional moment for both Heather and I to see them, and to be so close to the grey whales, and to have such a show by the humpbacks, and to witness the huges number of birds in the feeding frenzy, and … and… and …!
All this was made possible by the dedication, enthusiasm, expertise, friendliness and any other adjective which could be used to praise the crew and the enthusiasm of the naturalists, and we like to thank them yet again for all they did for us (we have already used Randy’s enchilada recipe!). Without this crew and support I am in no doubt it would be a much lesser experience.
Once again – many thanks for enabling such a memorable experience!”
Regards Simon & Heather Beesley 2007