HOLBOX ISLAND WHALE SHARK EXPEDITION ITINERARY

Day 1:
People will board the air conditioned Holbox transport van outside the arrivals gate at the Cancun airport. A representative will be holding a sign for the San Diego Shark Diving Group. It is a 3 hr. drive thru the Yucatan country side to the village of Chiquila. Here we purchase our ferry tickets ($4) and hop aboard the ferry for the 30 min. ride across the Yalahau channel to Isla Holbox 8 miles away.

Upon disembarking we'll load up our baggage and hop aboard the golf cart taxis for the short ride to our hotel. Once unpacked and refreshed you are free to explore the beach and village of Holbox. Try some of the local "ceviche" usually served with a plate of fresh tortillas. You can also get into vacation mode by taking a siesta. Its hot here during the afternoons so a nap makes good sense. Its easier to stroll the village during the cooler evening hours.

Day 2:
We meet the the Holbox Tours office for orientation. We will be issued wrist bands that all going into the reserve must wear. Our panga crew will introduce themselves and brief us on the reserve "code of conduct". Then its off to snorkel with the Whale Sharks. The reserve is about an hour's run from the Holbox pier. Once there we should spot several animals finning on the surface as they slowly swim with their mouths open gulping down plankton laden water. The first two snorkelers enter the water with the dive guide once they are retrieved the next two will go in and so it goes until early afternoon when the plankton drops deeper and so do the Whale Sharks. The boat carries snorkeling masks and fins if you don't want to bring your own. I also carries a cooler with water and soft drinks plus sandwiches for the day. After we return to the pier in the afternoon time for a shower, lunch at the hotel bar/restaurant and maybe a siesta. Dinner in town and a cruise down the beach.

Day 3:
Off to the pier to board our panga for another day of snorkeling with the Whale Sharks.After returning to the pier, shower, lunch, siesta. See, its the simple life!!

Day 4:
More Whale Shark snorkeling. Shower, lunch, siesta. What more could you ask for? Dinner during the cooler evening. Catch the stars out over the ocean.

Day 5:
Pack up for our return to Cancun. A truck will pick up our bags and the golf cart taxis will take us back to the ferry landing where we board the boat back to Chiquila. Once the van is loaded, its back to the Cancun airport for our return flights home. Some may opt for extensions in Cancun or Cozumel. Others may opt for visiting the Mayan ruins of Chitzen Itza or Tulum. The Yucatan in a fascinating area and should definitely be explored.