Whale Sharks, Crododiles, & Sea Turtles

Southern Mexico

World famous for beautiful beaches and Maya culture, the Yucatan Peninsula is a perfect destination for a quick trip to the tropics. This trip is nicely paced with a variety of activities with amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. We begin with the lobster fishing village of Holbox, perched on the north end of the Yucatan Peninsula surrounded by turquoise waters.

This is our launching point for viewing whale sharks which migrate past this area each summer. From Holbox we head south to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve where we will accompany a biologist for a nighttime crocodile adventure – Discovery Channel live! With luck, the following night we will visit some sea turtle nesting sites and see young turtles emerging and begin their epic life journey.

Our accommodations throughout the trip are located on the beach. Included in the mix of activities are snorkeling, birding, and visiting the Ancient Maya sites.
  • Day 1: Cancun to Holbox
  • Day 2: Holbox
  • Day 3: Los Lirios
  • Day 4: Los Lirios
  • Day 5: Departure

Cancun to Holbox

You will be greeted at the Cancun airport and transferred to the coastal village of Holbox. Our hotel is about three hours from the airport past the mass tourism developments and nestled on the beach in the quaint fishing village between an inland lagoon and the Caribbean. We will have a quick orientation while enjoying a spectacular fresh seafood dinner.

Overnight: Hotel Villas Delfines

Cancun to Holbox

You will be greeted at the Cancun airport and transferred to the coastal village of Holbox. Our hotel is about three hours from the airport past the mass tourism developments and nestled on the beach in the quaint fishing village between an inland lagoon and the Caribbean. We will have a quick orientation while enjoying a spectacular fresh seafood dinner.

Overnight: Hotel Villas Delfines

Whale Sharks

After an optional birding walk and breakfast, we will spend the day on the water. The whale shark migration is one of nature’s amazing phenomena with one aerial photo capturing 200 whale sharks at one time. This is the densest concentration of the world’s largest shark (up to 45 feet in length) ever recorded. If conditions are right, we will be able to not only observe from the boat, but also enter the water and snorkel along side these amazing creatures. Fortunately they are plankton eaters and seem to take the occasional human in stride. We will round out the day by exploring the mangrove coast and visiting a bird rookery. We should also have the opportunity to view the Greater Flamingo in their summer nesting habitat.

Overnight: Hotel Villas Delfines

Transfer to Sian Ka’an

From Holbox, we will travel past Cancun to Caribbean coast south of Tulum. A little over halfway, we will stop for some snorkeling at a fresh water cenote. If you are not familiar with cenotes you are in for a pleasant surprise. Cenotes are freshwater sinkholes that have crystal clear water and beautiful underwater formations. After lunch we will stop by the famous Ancient Maya archeology site of Tulum spectacularly located on a hilltop overlooking the ocean. Our hotel is only 15 minutes away. After dinner we will meet with local biologists and enter Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on our crocodile adventure. We will participate in a long-term population study, catching, measuring, and releasing several crocodiles.

Overnight: Hotel Los Lirios

Muyil Archeology Site – Ancient Maya Canals - Turtles

After an optional birding walk and breakfast, we will travel to the Ancient Maya site of Muyil. Keep the binoculars handy because archeology sites are generally great areas for wildlife viewing. We will learn about the Ancient Maya and then take an interpretive hike through the jungle on our way to meet our boats. We will then explore the reserve by boat and have a chance to snorkel through canals dug by the Ancient Maya. We will have some free time in the afternoon to relax at our beachfront hotel or head into Tulum Pueblo for some shopping. After an early dinner we will once again be met by a local biologist for observing sea turtles.

Overnight: Hotel Los Lirios

Depart for Cancun Airport

NOTE: Returning flights should not be booked until 11:00 AM or later. We will be approximately 1.5 hours from the airport.

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Practical Information

The trip includes lodging based on double occupancy, all meals from dinner day one to breakfast day 5, transportation, transfers, user fees, entrance fees, tolls, local taxes, qualified guides and support staff. One NWF representative is included in pricing including international airfare from the US with 10 PAX or more.
The trip does not include any alcoholic beverages, meals other than those indicated, snacks, room service charges and beverages consumed outside of mealtimes.

Weather

The weather will vary from warm and sunny to cloudy and rainy. We can expect daytime temperature highs in the mid 80s to low 90s. Precipitation is one of the key factors in creating tropical ecosystems and we can expect heavy rain any day even in the dry season.

Tour Size

This tour will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants and a minimum of 4 participants.

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