7-Hour Group Adventure

Overview

This seven-hour group trip from Isla Holbox puts you on the water with whale sharks during their season along this coast. The boat carries a maximum of 10 travellers, with a bilingual guide and a captain on a GPS-equipped vessel. Days start early, at 06:30, from the operator's yellow Mayan house office on Calle Palomino at the corner of Avenida Caleta.

The day begins with a light breakfast at the office: coffee, tea, fruit, yogurt and sweet breads. From there the group heads out on the water in search of whale sharks, and snorkelling equipment is provided for everyone on board. Back on the boat between swims there is bottled water and soft drinks, and the included food features the operator's ceviche, with guacamole and mango for anyone who does not eat fish.

The trip calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, per the listing. It is not a fit for children under 6, pregnant travellers, or anyone with serious back or heart problems, and the boat is not wheelchair accessible. Hotel pickup and taxi fare to the meeting point are not included, so plan to make your own way there.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the officeCheck in at 06:30 at the yellow Mayan house with a large garden on Calle Palomino, at the corner of Avenida Caleta, Holbox.
2. Light breakfastCoffee, tea, fruit, yogurt and sweet buns are served before departure. Fruit can be taken from the breakfast table onto the boat if the included food does not suit you.
3. Boat out to the whale shark areaTravel aboard a boat with GPS, led by a bilingual guide and captain, in a group of no more than 10 travellers.
4. Snorkelling with whale sharksSnorkelling equipment is provided for time in the water with the whale sharks. Government fees are covered in the tour price.
5. Ceviche on boardThe operator's famous ceviche is included, with guacamole and mango as an alternative for non-fish eaters. Water and soft drinks are on board.
6. Return to the meeting pointThe activity ends back at the yellow Mayan house office where it began.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you decide whether this trip fits, and how to be ready for a 06:30 start on open water.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup, and taxi fare to the meeting point is not included. The office is a yellow Mayan house with a large garden on Calle Palomino at the corner of Avenida Caleta. One past reviewer said the office was hard to find, so it pays to confirm the location in advance.
• Fitness and swimming. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness. The trip runs around seven hours from an early start. Travellers with back or heart problems are advised not to book.
• Small group. The boat takes a maximum of 10 travellers. Reviews describe captains and guides who were knowledgeable and attentive, with one traveller comparing the guide's commentary to an outdoor classroom.
• Food and drink. Breakfast is light, and the operator's ceviche is included on board, which one reviewer specifically praised. Non-fish eaters get guacamole and mango, and you may take fruit from the breakfast table if the served food does not suit you. Gratuities are not included.
• Season and weather. Whale shark season runs from mid-May to mid-September, though the sharks can arrive later in the area. The tour needs good weather; if it is cancelled for conditions, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.
• What is provided. Snorkelling equipment is provided, along with water and soft drinks. The listing does not specify other items to bring, so check with the operator before departure about anything extra you want to carry.

Common issues. The trip does not include hotel pickup or taxi to the meeting point, and it is not wheelchair accessible. Children under 6 cannot come, and pregnant travellers or those with back problems are advised against it. Weather can force a cancellation, in which case an alternative date or full refund is offered, and the tour also requires a minimum number of travellers to run. One older review noted the office was hard to find the night before when they had questions; the address is the yellow Mayan house on Calle Palomino.

Common Questions