Expedition Whale Sharks

Off the coast of Mexico, it’s possible to safely swim with these elusive leviathans

Trip Overview

Swim off the Yucatan Peninsula with friendly whale sharks, the world’s biggest fish
Discover idyllic Holbox Island, home to fishermen and white-sand streets
Cruise around a “bird island” teeming with frigates, flamingoes, pelicans, herons and egrets

Just off the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is a small island largely untouched by tourism, despite its proximity to Cancún. Isla Holbox might go unnoticed entirely, except for some unique visitors who come to its warm ocean waters each summer. Their presence is hard to ignore, since they are 40 feet long and weigh 15 tons. These are gentle whale sharks – not whales at all, despite their size, but actually the world’s largest fish. Docile and unafraid, they allow us to swim close enough to observe the checkerboard pattern of pale yellow dots and stripes covering their thick gray skin.

Location of Adventure
Riviera Maya, Mexico

Group Size Limit: Approximately 15 Travelers
A very important feature of our trips is the limited group size as nature expeditions are best experienced with smaller sized groups of travelers.

Included
Accommodations, meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6, NHA’s Expedition Leader, two whale sharks excursions, land and boat transportation, transfers on Day 1 and Day 6, water and soft drinks, permits and park fees, gratuities for airport transfers provided by NHA, baggage portage.

Not Included
Travel to Cancun, gratuities for Expedition Leader and local guides, alcoholic beverages, personal items, airport taxes, travel insurance.

Physical Requirements
Moderate / Flexible
To be in the water with the whale sharks you are required to swim a minimum of 150 feet. Those travelers who are not particularly agile can view the whale sharks from the boat. Kayaking is easy to learn, and we expect that most guests have little or no experience.

Getting There & Getting Home
You must arrive in Cancun, Mexico in time for dinner at 7pm on Day 1 and can depart Cancun, Mexico anytime on the final day. We can best serve you if Natural Habitat Adventures’ Travel Desk makes these reservations for you as they are intimately familiar with the special requirements of these programs and can arrange the most efficient and cost-effective travel. Please call us at 1-800-543-8917.

Proof of Citizenship

NOTE: BEGINNING JANUARY 8, 2007, ALL U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING VIA AIR OR SEA WILL REQUIRE A VALID PASSPORT TO ENTER MEXICO. Please note that birth certificates and other government-issued photo I.D.’s will NO LONGER be accepted for entry.

Sea Turtle Watching in Mexico
A rare chance for a small group of travelers to view (and participate in) turtle releases on one of only four such turtle beaches in the world.

Mexico's Monarch Butterflies
Journey to Mexico's butterfly sanctuaries, where you can stand amongst hundreds of millions of these colorful creatures as they complete their remarkable migration.

2008 Dates
Jul 20 - 25
Jul 27 - Aug 1
Aug 3 - 8
Aug 10 - 15

2009 Dates
Jul 19 - 24
Jul 26 - 31
Aug 2 - 7
Aug 9 - 14

2008 Fees
$2,995
Single Supp.: $695
Deposit: $500

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Fees may increase for 2009.