Mexico /Jun 24, 2021
We’ve never really been one for bucket lists but, if we were, we’d be packing our flippers and masks and heading to Mexico to swim with whale sharks in Holbox.
For those with a limited knowledge of the marine world, but traumatic memories of watching Jaws as a child, the emphasis on whale sharks is very much on the whale rather than the sharks.
These gentle, slow moving giants of the sea can grow up to 15 metres in length and are defined as filter feeders, surviving on a diet of plankton and the odd, careless, small fish and posing absolutely no threat to humans.
Like most, sensible humans, whale sharks are generally only found in warmer, tropical seas and, as such, are found in a relatively limited number of locations around the world.
|
|
|
 |
Beyond The Ordinary arrange fully bonded, tailor made holidays and tours to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Contact one of our experts on 01580 764796, email travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk or contact us via our website. |
|
|
|
Probably nowhere on earth are whale sharks more commonly found than just off the north coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. In 2011, more than 400 whale sharks were counted and aggregations in the area are amongst the most reliable in the world, especially between the middle of May and the middle of September.
With the Yucatan Peninsula’s north coast being so sparsely populated, the old fishing island and burgeoning resort of Holbox has become a mecca for anyone wishing to swim with whale sharks.
A number of Holbox agencies operate whale shark tours with prices at the more reputable operators typically starting at around US$170pp.
Tours generally start early in the morning as it’s a 1 or 2 hour boat journey from Holbox to where the whale sharks are to be found lolling about.
Reputable operators should limit numbers to 2 customers plus the guide per whale shark. Some operators may offer lower prices by allowing greater numbers but, for the welfare of the whale sharks, and your personal experience, we would urge potential visitors to avoid them.
On the way back to Holbox, most whale shark agencies will stop off for a spot of snorkelling at the reef near Cabo Catoche followed by a picnic lunch of ceviche on a nearby beach.
All Beyond The Ordinary’s Mexico holidays are entirely tailor made and including Holbox in your planned itinerary is relatively straightforward.
To discuss your plans and requirements, either give us a call during office hours on 01580 764796 or drop us an email anytime via travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk
Like whale sharks, there is nothing scary about Beyond The Ordinary. All our holidays offer complete financial protection through our membership of ABTOT and our holding of an ATOL bond with the CAA.
This 7 Night Mexico Tour is a small group, escorted tour, starting and finishing in Cancun / Riviera Maya and performing a clockwise loop of the Yucatan Peninsula. It includes the Mayan sites of Calakmul, Chichen Itza, Uxmal & Palenque, the colonial towns of Izamal, Merida & Campeche as well as n...
Northern Yucatan highlights, this is a 10 night Yucatan holiday. Starting and finishing in Cancun, this suggested 10-night itinerary takes in pretty much all of the key highlights of the northern Yucatan Peninsula, combining Mayan & Colonial sites as well as a taste of the region’s nature-based a...
Starting and finishing in Cancun, this suggested 2 week long, self-drive itinerary takes in most, if not all, of the key highlights of the Yucatan Peninsula in an anti-clockwise loop of the region. At the end of the itinerary there is the option of extending your holiday at the beach.
14 nights Fly Drive
Located a short drive from the Puerta Calakmul hotel, the Calakmul Bat Cave is home to some 4 million bats, comprising 8 different species of both insectivores and frugivores.
On the quiet shores of the Yucatan Peninsula’s north coast, Rio Lagartos is a small fishing village and jumping off point for Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Lagartos, a UNESCO Biosphere since 2004.
Located almost due west of Merida on the Yucatan’s Gulf Coast, Celestun is a small, slightly scruffy fishing village as well as a base for the nearby Celestun Biosphere Reserve.
When making your travel arrangements, we understand just how important peace-of-mind is. Beyond The Ordinary hold both ATOL & ABTOT bonds so whether you book your flights through us, or independently, any money you pay us is 100% protected. More detailed information on Financial Protection can be found by clicking here.
Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
