RIVIERA MAYA: Caribbean Wildlife Adventure
Whale sharks, Turtle hatching, Vibrant Coral reef, Cenotes, and Magical Bioluminescence
Let us take you to the most beautiful places in Riviera Maya on this amazing three-destination snorkeling expedition. Swim with whale sharks, the biggest fish of our oceans in the Caribbean blue waters. Watch turtles hatching on Cozumel sandy white beaches. Immerse yourself in cenotes – magical natural water reservoirs with crystal clear water. Jump on a kayak and swim in the glowing bioluminescent plankton.
Location
Duration
Price
Riviera Maya
8 days
2250 USD
Available dates
23.9. - 30.9. 2022
16.8. 23.8. 2023
About this Trip
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Guests: 6 people
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Duration: 8 days
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Boat: day trips on small boats
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Number of days in the water: 5
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Food: breakfast, lunch, and snacks included
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Conditions: outside temperature: 30°C, water temperature: 25°C
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Skill requirement: good swimmer, suitable for children
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Pick up location: Cancun airport
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Accommodation: Hotels Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Holbox. Rooms for two. Private room on request.
We will start our expedition on the island Cozumel which is a Caribbean white paradise. along which stretches the Great Mesoamerican Reef Barrier, the second largest coral reef in the world. We will enjoy a full day of snorkeling on the reef full of vibrant sponges, corals, many species of tropical fish, and sea turtles. In Cozumel ecological reserve, we will observe the crocodiles, flamingos and watch little turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests and scrambling their way down the beach and out to the open ocean.
From the island, we will move to the mainland part of Riviera Maya and spend one day exploring different cenotes. Cenotes are Yukatan’s unique natural wells filled with refreshing and unbelievably clear groundwater and rainwater. You can look forward to snorkeling in between the mangrove forests with colorful crabs and many small fish hiding among the roots. Birds are nesting in the cave parts of cenotes and you will swim with hundreds of them flying above your head. The sunbeams are penetrating the emerald depths of cenotes and you can take breathtaking underwater photos here.
We will spend the last part of our journey on a tropical island Holbox with an authentically relaxed and remote vibe. Just imagine, there are no cars, no postal service, no banks, and no highrise buildings. Holbox is known for the natural phenomenon that is called bioluminescence, a glowing blue light produced by plankton. We will enjoy this experience from kayaks, watching the luminous water dripping from our paddles, and of course, we will also swim in it. Next day, we will jump on a private boat and make our trip to see the whale sharks, the biggest fish on our planet. Despite their size, these giants feed only on plankton and fish eggs. Swimming with these gentle creatures is an unforgettable experience. Holbox is a natural wonder of the Yucatan peninsula, a small paradise where time stands still and gives you the opportunity to enjoy its natural wealth.
Our mission is to protect the underwater world, educate people of all generations and explore the treasures the ocean hides in its depths. Our conservation activities are our top priority and we fund them through expeditions like this, and if you join us, you will help us move our vision one step further.
Wildlife Highlights
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Swimming with the biggest fish on our planet, the whale sharks
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Snorkeling with sea turtles, groupers, moray eels, barracudas, and colorful tropical reef fish on Cozumel island
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Observing the vibrant sponges and corals of the Mesoamerican Reef Barrier
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Watching a great amount of starfish in the crystal blue waters
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Witnessing the turtles hatchlings starting their new life in the ocean
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Flamingos and crocodiles encounters in the Punta Sur National Park
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Snorkeling in between the mangrove roots in Casa Cenote with small fish and crabs
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Swimming with hundreds of birds in Cenote Calavera
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Observing the phenomenon of bioluminescence from kayaks and swimming in the glowing ocean
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Snorkeling with rays and big schools of fish near Holbox island
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Watching rare birds on our private boat trips
ITINERARY:
Day 1
Arrival in Cancun, transfer to Cozumel Island
We will pick you up at the airport in Cancun, we will drive to Playa del Carmen and take a ferry to the Caribbean island of Cozumel. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes long with live Mexican music and beautiful views of the turquoise water.
• Accommodation: hotel, island Cozumel
Day 2
Cozumel – Punta Sur and Shipwreck snorkeling
We will explore the Punta Sur Eco park where you can look forward to beautiful sceneries with white sandy beaches and mangrove forests. We will snorkel in crystal clear water with great visibility, admiring hundreds of colorful fan corals dancing to the waves and current, and a great variety of fish including sting rays, lobster, and starfish. In the lagoons of the park, we will look for crocodiles and flamingos.
In the evening, we will jump on a traditional Mayan canoe and paddle to the turquoise water close to the shore. In the depth of 24 meters lies a shipwreck that we will explore by freediving or snorkeling above it, as the visibility is just perfect here. We will finish our day watching the sunset and listening to the Mayan legends on the canoe.
• Accommodation: hotel, island Cozumel
Day 3
Cozumel - Reef life and Caribbean white beach on a private boat
Cozumel is a place with one of the most beautiful underwater worlds on our planet. The island is surrounded by a beautiful coral reef and we will explore it on a private boat. We will snorkel on a reef with countless species of fish, colorful corals, and a chance to encounter big sea turtles.
We will enjoy our lunch on the white sandy banks of El Cielo, a place with shallow waters and white fine sand which together make the most breathtaking turquoise blue tones. El Cielo is as close to a Caribbean paradise as you can imagine.
Cozumel island is home to three of the seven remaining species of sea turtles. The turtles that can be spotted around the island are the Hawksbill, Green, and Loggerhead turtles, and all of them are endangered. Each year, thousands of baby sea turtles hatch from their eggs, ready to start their lives from Cozumel’s shores. We will help to create a clear path for the little hatchlings – moving sticks, rocks, bunches of seaweed, or other things that could trip them up. Finally, we will watch their mad dash to the waterline. Observing the hatchlings' start of their new life in the ocean is a magical and unforgettable experience.
• Accommodation: hotel, island Cozumel
Day 4
Tulum - Cenotes
In the morning, we will take a ferry to the mainland and hop on the private minivan. We will spend this day exploring the natural water reservoirs with refreshing clear water called cenotes.
Cenote Calavera is a cavern with three openings that is home to hundreds of little birds and bats. Relax in the water and watch them fly silently above your head. Casa Cenote is a long and open water reservoir in the mangroves with a mix of freshwater and saltwater, and a lazy river current. Coati, birds, and butterflies visit its banks, while tropical fish and blue crabs flock around the mangrove roots. Cenote Choo-Ha is hidden underground, it‘s filled with stalagmites and stalactites and shallow, jewel blue water.
• Accommodation: hotel, Playa del Carmen
Day 5
Holbox – Kayaking in bioluminescence
We will drive to Puerto de Chiquila and take the ferry to Holbox island. Holbox is a beautiful Caribbean island with an authentically relaxed and remote vibe.
Holbox is known for the natural phenomenon that is called bioluminescence. The blue light in the ocean is produced by chemical reactions in the bodies of living things and it is a magical sight. We will enjoy it from the kayaks and of course, we will also jump into the glowing water and swim in it.
• Accommodation: hotel, Holbox
Day 6
Holbox – Swimming with Whale sharks
Early morning, we will jump on a private boat to make our trip to see the whale
sharks. These graceful animals are one of the only three species of filter-feeding sharks. That means that despite their size, these gentle giants feed on tiny plankton and fish eggs. Whale sharks usually reach about 12m in length and they are the biggest fish in our oceans. From up-close, you will be in awe of their size, feeding techniques, and gentle grace as you swim beside these spectacular animals.
Your private guide will explain to you the importance of these animals in our ocean‘s ecosystem and share interesting facts about their behavior. If lucky, we might even encounter giant mantas here. To swim in the Caribbean blue waters with these majestic creatures is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We will enjoy our lunch on a white-sandy beach and on our way back to the marina, we will go through the shallow waters to spot rays, flamingos, pelicans, and other interesting wildlife we might encounter.
In the evening you can sit on the beach and watch the bioluminescent water washing the sandy banks of Holbox island.
• Accommodation: hotel, Holbox
Day 7
Holbox Exploration and Relaxed vibes
Isla Holbox does not have any cars and we will spend this day exploring the island in golf carts. We will enjoy one of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean, watch the flamingos in Punta Cocos and admire the original vibe of a Mexican fishing village with colorful wooden houses.
Holbox is the place with the relaxing vibe that the Caribbean is known for and on our last day, we will appreciate every minute of it.
• Accommodation: hotel, Holbox
Day 8
End of the expedition, transfer to the airport or your accommodation in Riviera Maya.