Oh My Gosh its WhaleSharks in Holbox!!! Cozumel, Cenotes & Holbox, Mexico Smorgasboard July 26-Aug 2, 2008 
Join this amazing diving excursion arriving in Cozumel for 3 full days of fabulous diving, traveling to Cancun to dive the Cenotes in Talum for a day and then driving to Southern Mexico to be whisked away to the unspoiled quiet island of Holbox (pronounced Olebosh) for 2 days of Whalesharks and Dolphin and Manta encounters! From big animals to spectacular underwater caverns to one of the most diverse marine environments...Mexico has it ALL!!! This will be a trip to remember! Two (2) full days of Whaleshark encounters in Holbox preceded by 3 days of diving in Cozumel and a day of diving the Cenotes makes this a one of kind trip! But hurry...the whalesharks are practically guaranteed and the spots are very limited! Last year we were unfortunately delayed by Hurricane Dean but the year before we counted over 20 whalesharks EACH DAY!
If you are seeking the ultimate shark diving adventure, then come join us swimming among whale sharks on an unspoiled Mexican Island. Better yet, how about very long encounters in an area where dozens of whale sharks and breaching manta rays come to feed on the plankton blooms at the edge of the Yucatan Peninsula? Hidden within the sleepy little fishing village of Holbox, Mexico is shark diving's Holy Grail. This is your opportunity to visit this rare gem of an island and experience the Mexican Island culture in a very simple and lovely setting as well as spend your mornings swimming with one of the most exciting sharks on the planet!
Holbox/Cozumel AI/Cenotes for $1391 (same as 2007) d/o plus air to Cozumel or Cancun (less $75 early booking & payment discount if paid in full by Feb 20, 2008) and (see us for bulk and charter air rates) you'll have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see such a large variety of marine life, underwater caverns and WHALESHARKS!!! This trip is limited to 24 people maximum (4 of whom can be s/o in Holbox) and we are taking every hotel room in Holbox that has air conditioning! Non-Diver Pricing: TBA
NOTE: Many want to arrive in Cozumel for a few extra days of diving before the trip starts. Let us help you make those arrangements. Price is $55 for each extra day of hotel in Cozumel d/o and $60 for each extra day of 2 tank am diving. Extra third dive is $30 per day including lunch. Nitrox is $10 per tank.
Who's Going:
1. Kamala aka Wreck Wench - Dallas, TX d/o (PD - Cozy/Cenotes/Holbox) Nitrox Cozy -PD No Nitrox Cenotes Waiver/Survey rec'd
2. Phyllis aka Stingray - Houston, TX, d/o (PAID IN FULL) (Cozy/Cenotes/Holbox), Chance to Win Free Nitrox, (Survey/Waiver Rec'd ), Arr Cozy 23th Dpt CUN 2nd, 2 Dives on 25th
3. Phillip aka Fishwatcher NJ - (PAID IN FULL), (Cozy D/O /Cenotes/Holbox S/O), Nitrox 6 Tanks PD, (Upgrade to S/O at Holbox, PD), Arr in Cozy on 7/26, Dpt Cancun 8/2, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
4. Tamara aka DIVErsity Darlin - (PAID IN FULL), No Nitrox Waiver/Survey Rec'd , Arr Cozy 24th Dpt CUN 2nd, 2 Dives on 25th
5. Stan aka Scubaski - DO, Nitrox, (Dep $300, Cozy only), Survey & Waiver Rec'd Arr 7/26 Dpt 8/3
6. Karen aka kboffuss - D/O, PAID IN FULL, No Nitrox, Survey & Waiver Rec'd, Arr Cozy 24th, Dpt CUN 2nd, 2 Dives on the 25th,
7. Sandy aka ScubaPunk TX - D/O, Nitrox 11 tanks pd, PAID IN FULL, Survey/Waiver Rec'd, Arr Cozy 24th Dpt CUN 2nd, 2 Dives on 25th, 2 ex days pd, Holbox s/o upgrade paid
8. Sue aka btu911 GA - D/O, PAID IN FULL, Nitrox, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
9. Barb aka 1Scubadiver - DO, PAID IN FULL, (Holbox & Cenotes only), Survey/Waiver Rec'd
10. Lynne aka GreenTurtle SC - D/O, PAID IN FULL, Extra Night Pd, No Nitrox, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
11. Scott aka drifter MO - DO, PAID IN FULL, No Nitrox, Survey/Waiver Rec'd,
12. George aka Snobro CO - D/O, PAID IN FULL, Ex night pd, Nitrox PD, Survey/Waiver Rec'd, - 1 Extra 2 tank AM Dive Pd, Arr 24th, Dpt 3RD.
13. George aka georoc01 CO - S/O, No NitroxPmt $200, (Cozy Only), Air, 100s for 1st dive on 26th & 27th, Add 3rd dive on 26th, Arr 25th Dpt 28th, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
14. Grace aka nobodyelsehasthis - D/O, Nitox PD, PAID IN FULL, Survey/Waiver Rec'd
15. Mike aka Sharktracker - D/O, PAID IN FULL, Nitrox PD, (Pd Extras $172.77), Survey/Waiver Rec'd
Deposit Received, Waiting on Docs:
Check's & Docs In The Mail: (Members won't be moved up to Who's Going until we rec'd $ and docs)
Those Wanting a Night Dive in Cozy:
1. Phil aka Fishwatcher
2.
Those Wanting to do 3 Dives a Day in Cozy $30 per day for 3rd Dive:
1. Kamala aka WreckWench all 3 dives if everyone wants to dive 3 a day
2. Phyllis aka Stingray1
3. Sandy aka ScubaPunk - Paid
4. Lynne aka GreenTurtle - Paid
5. Stan aka Scubaski
6. Susannah aka btu911
7. Scott aka drifter
8. Tamara aka DIVErsity Darling
9. Grace aka nobodyelsehasthis - Paid
10. George aka snobro -
11. Phillip aka Fishwatcher - Paid
Those Wanting Nitrox:
1. Kamala aka WreckWench yes all dives $TBD
2. Sandy aka ScubaPunk Pd
3. Phil aka Fishwatcher Pd
4. Phyllis aka Stingray1 Pd
5. Mike aka Sharktracker
6. George aka Snowbro Pd
7. Stan aka Scubaski
8. Sue aka btu911
9. Grace aka nobodyelsehasthis Pd
Those Wanting 100cf tanks if available: (Preference goes to those who need them the most)
1.
2.
Those wanting to SiteSee on Sunday to see the Ruins & the Island via member led tours:
1.
Interested but can't quite commit:
1. Rebecca aka divingwahine
2. AuTgrDvr
3. Debbie aka diverdeb
4.
Trip Instructor:
OVERVIEW:
Hey gang...the whalesharks in Holbox were soooooooooooo fabulous that once is not enough! We are going back to see them again this year and our trip will have a great twist! We have negotiated a kick of a deal with our favorite resort in Cozumel for both divers and non-divers for 4 nights and 3 days of diving. We are adding a day of diving the Cenotes to this awesome trip! This day is optional so you can snorkel or sightsee if you do not want to dive the Cenotes! Then we are off to Holbox for 2 days with the whalesharks! We'll offer standard accommodations at Casa Coral & Careyas and for those who don't mind being away from the group...more upscale accommodations at Puerto Holbox overlooking the ocean.
This trip was one of the best and most economical trips all year as we swam and snorkeled with over 45 whalesharks year before last plus countless mantas and dolphins! (This place is still very rustic and undiscovered but won't be for long!)
SCHEDULED ITINERARY
Days Prior to start of our trip: Ask me for special pricing to extend the Cozumel portion of the trip!
Jul 26 Sat: Arrive in Cozumel or Cancun & Stay at Casa del Mar in Cozumel (You can arrive anytime, take a taxi/shuttle to the hotel, get checked in, have some lunch and you'll be able to do a 'day of arrival' shore dive if you like.)
Jul 27 Sun: Dive in Cozumel & Stay at Casa del Mar in Cozumel
Jul 28 Mon: Dive in Cozumel & Stay at Casa del Mar in Cozumel
Jul 29 Tue: Dive in Cozumel & Stay at Casa del Mar in Cozumel
Jul 30 Wed: Depart hotel early, travel via ferry to Playa, drive to Talum, Dive 2 dives fresh water Cenotes, transfer to Holbox
Jul 31 Thurs: Whaleshark and Manta and Dolphin encounters & Stay at either Casa Coral, Careyes or upgrade to Puerto Holbox (all rooms have a/c and Puerto Holbox has only 4 rooms all with a/c)
Aug 1 Fri: Whaleshark and Manta and Dolphin encounters & Stay at either Casa Coral, Careyes or upgrade to Puerto Holbox (all rooms have a/c and Puerto Holbox has only 4 rooms all with a/c)
Aug 2 Sat: Travel to Cancun airport for departures after 1pm. (If the only flight option is prior to 1pm let me know as we can probably work it out if its close.)
WHAT YOU'LL SEE:
Suddenly, excited hoops and hollers echoed across the water. The surface boiled, while as many as sixty whale sharks, moved slowly, mouths agape, through the plankton rich waters. Entering the water directly in a whale shark’s path, I peered into its approaching mouth. A few feet away, its eyes appeared to check me
out (though that may be anthropomorphic). Some fed in circles, giving me a second or even a third encounter, where I could see attached remoras dining on parasites. Schools of sardines, a frenetic bait ball breaking the surface, gobbled anything escaping the gaping mouth. Cobia, playing the roles of pilot fish, kept pace with the shark’s strong strokes. Two of us would slide into the 79-degree water with one or two whale sharks to observe and photograph them. Visibility ranged from 25-30 feet, enough to give me a great view, but not enough to capture the shark’s full length with my digital and video equipment. I made at least half a dozen entries, lasting up to fifteen minutes each. As two of us came out, the mate helped us up a side ladder as the boat idled. We never had to wait to find the next whale shark.
Floating through this dreamland of natural formations in crystal clear water, you can feel the ancient and timeless forces of nature that carved the cavern. With a maximum depth of 30 feet (10 m) and never more than 150 feet (50 m) from air, there is 1,500 feet (500 m) of cavern to see without ever leaving the light zone making this a great first cavern tour for the new diver. The tours are lead by experienced, full cave certified guides in groups of no more than four. Come and experience the dive of your life! The first dive is a traverse from one cenote to another. During this 45-minute dive you will explore the vast cavern zone of Dos Ojos (Two Eyes). The crystal clear waters offers unlimited visibility and gives the feeling of flight as you silently view the unbelievable beauty that has made this cenote so famous. The play of light and colors combined with the awesome formations make this dive a truly unforgettable experience. The second dive is to the Caverna de Murcielagos (Bat Cave), which takes you through galleries ranging from huge columns and stalactites to very fine and intricate formations. This is truly a mind blowing area and often divers are so impressed that they come up to the surface speechless.
Max Depth: 30 ft (10 m) Water Temp: 75 degrees F (24 celsius)
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Holbox:
• 3 nights/2 days snorkeling with Whalesharks, Mantas & Dolphins in a double occupancy room on the island (upgrade to Puerto Holbox 4* hotel available to limited number of people)
• SD Famous 'Meet & Greet Get To Know Everyone' Parties
• Lunch on the boat each day of snorkeling
• 2 snorkel dives daily
• Transfers from Talum to Holbox and back to Cancun Airport
• Private Water Ferry to the island and back
• Private Taxi's to hotel and boat and back
• SD T-Shirt commemorating the trip!
Cozumel:
• 4 nights/3 days 2 tank am boat dives in a double occupancy room at newly rebuilt beautiful Casa del Mar beach resort
• All Inclusive 'off the menu' including meals, snacks and domestic alcohol
• 3 days diving 2 tanks dives with Del Mar Aquatics Dive Operation on premises (additional dives available daily)
• Unlimited Shore Diving...easy and beautiful!
• All taxes included
• $2 per day diving park fees included
• Free Day of Arrival Shore Diving
• Welcome Cocktail
• Daily SD.com H20 Happy Hours
• Diving Gifts and Giveaways from various SD Vendor Partners as available
• Meals: Meals are included including alcohol. We will do all of our meals at the hotel however several nights we will have the option of eating in town at one of Cozy'd world renown restaurants.
Talum Cenotes - Click here for overview and pictures of this part of our exciting trip!:
• 2 Cenotes Dives with guided leader no more than 4 divers max per group (do not need to be cavern certified but you will be in overhead environment)
• Lunch in between Cenotes Dives
• Transport to Talum and then back to Cancun Airport at the end of the trip
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Airfare to Cozumel or Cancun
• Transfer to Casa del Mar from airport unless we book you on charter air. Typically $10 from Cozumel airport.
• Transfer from Casa del Mar to Cozumel Ferry to Playa del Carmen Ferry approx $10-$20 total (We will work on the hotel getting us to the ferry station) + tips for porters carrying your bags
• Dinner Jul 30th Talum Diving Day/day we transfer to Holbox
• Food in Holbox other than snack/lunch on the boat
• Additional boat dives in Cozumel
• Nitrox upgrade
• Rental, instruction and retail charges
• Crew gratuities
• Trip Insurance (see the end of this post for 2 great insurance links)
OPTIONAL:
Extra afternoon Dives in Cozumel $30 for a 3rd tank AND lunch on the beach!
Night Boat Dive in Cozumel $45
Nitrox Upgrade Cozumel $10 per tank
Single Supplement Cozumel: $55 per night (all rooms have a/c) x 4 nites = $220
*Single Supplement Hotel Carayes/Coral (Group Hotel): $40 per night (all rooms have a/c) x 3 nites = $120
Total Single Supplement for the whole trip: $340
Upgrade to Puerto Holbox D/O: $40 per night (all rooms have a/c)
*Upgrade to Puerto Holbox S/O: $80 per night *(We are limited to 4 single room upgrades in Holbox all with a/c)
DISCOUNTS:
•$75 discount if booked and paid in full by Feb 20, 2008
•Chance for (1) FREE NITROX upgrade base pkg to Cozy only for anyone booked and deposited by Feb 20, 2008
•$25 rebate eligible after trip for SD premier and above memberships
•Price includes cash discount. Please add 3% if paying via paypal or credit card.
TRANSFERS:
Cozumel: Upon arrival take a taxi or transfer to Casa del Mar hotel. If your transfers are booked as part of your airfare via our contract air system, then your name will be on the list from Lomas Travel. If you book your own air then take a taxi usually $10-$15 per person to the hotel. The hotel is zone 1 so the cheapest taxi rates apply. Cenotes: We will all take the ferry early on the 20th to Cancun to catch our ride to Talum for the Cenotes. If not diving you can relax, snorkel, swim or sightsee near the Talum area. Holbox: Our private bus will leave for Holbox after we are done diving in Talum's fresh water Cenotes.
Holbox/Cenotes/Cozumel Availability Update:
SD honors a first come and first served premise that is driven by posting in our community. Once a trip has filled up from the "My Check & Documents is in the Mail" and the confirmed deposits/pymnts we will open an official waiting list for the trip. As openings occur we'll open up the Waiting List for trip participants. Only deposited members will decrease the number of spots on the trip. Only members who have sent their deposit or paid for the trip and have sent in their documents i.e. Trip Waiver and Trip Survey will be moved to the official "Who's Going" list.
Please note that while you may send pm and email requests for availability, the official availability is always available in the main trip post. Thank You! -ww
Trip Instructor:
Trip Videographer:
TEMPS & CONDITIONS:
The weather in Mexico is remarkably consistent year-round. The temperatures range in the high 80's during this time of year and the water temps are in the mid 80's making this truly diving in paradise. The Cenotes will be cooler averaging a consistent 75 degrees. Holbox will be as warm or warmer than Cozumel.
AIRFARE:
We have some availability for discounted air via Funjet, Adventure Tours, etc. Otherwise you are more than welcome to make your own arrangements. Let us know and we'll be happy to check for you. Please tell us your departure city(s), airport preferences and your travel dates.
ARRIVAL:
Day 1 is our arrival day and you can arrive anytime. The only thing planned for day 1 is a day of arrival shore dive, getting settled in and having fun! You should plan to fly into Cozumel and out of Cancun. Or you can go in and out of Cancun (cheaper) and take the ferry to Cozumel. This will run about $70 or so extra. If we have 8 people or more arriving via Cancun we can have the hotel pick us up as a group.
How to Book a Spot on this Trip:
1. Post in this thread that you plan to join us and your check or payment is in the mail or on it's way. We'll then put your name on the 'check's in the mail' list. (Please send your pymt asap as we'll only hold your spot for 7 days.) - To post on the site you need to register as a member of the site. Registration is free or if you want to upgrade premier membership levels are available for as little as $35 a year. Click here to learn more.
2. Fill out the Trip Rooming & Diving Survey plus the SingleDivers.com Medical Liability Release which you'll find under "Stuff you need to know for ALL SingleDivers.com trips & activities!" or click here to link to it. (Send a PM or an email to trips@singledivers.com for the password.)
3. Send your deposit for the trip and/or monies due based upon the payment schedule posted below and payment options. If you need to make special arrangements about payments with me please contact me and I'll gladly work with you. See below for our credit card authorization form.
4. We need to know what day you are arriving and departing as well as flight times, if you need rental gear, if diving nitrox in Cozumel and Cenotes (none avail in Holbox) if you want d/o for the whole trip or if you want s/o for any portion of the trip. You MUST include as much of this information as possible with your initial reservation.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Please add 3% if paying via paypal or credit card.
If paying via paypal go to www.PayPal.com and send payment to kamala@singledivers.com Be sure to include your address, contact number and screen name in the details section.
If paying via check or money order, please send payment to:
Kamala Shadduck
SingleDivers.com
3957 Gaspar Ste#200
Dallas, TX 75220
214-350-7003
kamala@singledivers.com
If paying via credit card (Visa, MC) download the SD Credit Card Authorization Form, complete and fax to 214-350-2558. Click here for the form.
PAYMENT TERMS & SCHEDULE:
ASAP: $300 deposit immediately
PROGRESS PAYMENTS:
a. $300 due at booking
b. Mar 26, 2008: $500
c. May 26, 2008: $591
Note: Trip must be paid in full 60 days prior to departure.
Hotel Information:
Casa del Mar Resort is an all-inclusive newly remodeled 3+ star resort situated across the street from the beach, two miles from downtown San Miguel, and approximately 2.5 miles from Cozumel Airport. This location is also a few minutes by boat to all of the island's main reefs and right in front of excellent shore diving!
The property's amenities include the one swimming pool, Jacuzzi, tennis court, gym, gift shop, dive shop, and beach club with private pier. The property is home to a hacienda-style restaurant, and snack bar by the pool with exclusive swim up pool bar. Hotel services include room service, full-service dive center, car and scooter rental, medical services, money exchange, FREE Lobby Internet access, and valet laundry service. The all-inclusive plan covers all meals and snacks, unlimited domestic drinks, daily activities, non-motorized watersports (kayaks and snorkeling equipment), free scuba demos in the pool, bicycle tours, nightly entertainment, and all taxes and tips.
All rooms feature terraces, air-conditioning, cable TV, telephones, bathtubs and showers, and safety deposit box (free of charge).
Hotel Amenities
• Babysitting services
• Baggage Check
• Business Center
• Beach - Across the road from a private beach
• Courtesy room
• Gift Shop
• Hot tub/Jacuzzi
• Laundry facilities - Valet , fees may apply
• Lounges/Bars - 1
• Pets Allowed - contact hotel for restrictions
• Restaurants on premises -1
• Room service - limited service
• Safety deposit box - complimentary
• Swim-up pool bar
Recreation:
• Activities desk/Concierge
• Game Room/Arcade
• Moped rental - fees may apply
• Swimming pools - 0 indoor, 1 outdoor, 0 children's
• Tennis courts - fees may apply
• Water sports available on premises - Additional fee for motorized sports
• Onsite Full Service Dive Shop
• Boat pick up at the dock at the Dive Shop
Location/Transportation:
• Downtown location - 2 miles from downtown or $3 taxi
• Miles from airport - 2.5 miles
• Miles from beach - Across the street from the beach, accessible by a Private walkway
IMPORTANT TRIP UPDATES:
1. School Supplies: As is our tradition we take school supplies on our trips to the under priviledged children of the countries we visit while diving. Mexico is no exception and we will have many orphanages to bring relief to. One of the non-diving afternoons we will take whoever would like to join us and drop off the school supplies to the kids. I have seen grown men tear up at the look on their faces when they see us.
So PLEASE keep your eye out for school supplies on sale as these items are extremely expensive in the countries we visit. Remember a child can play with a can or a box and use great imagination pretending it is a castle, fort, car or space capsule. But they can not make do as well when they need school supplies so that they can learn and better themselves.
2. Check out these reviews: Centotes
3. FAQ:
Q. What is the cost of an extra daily dive in Cozumel?
A. We can do a special 3rd tank dive including lunch for $30 a person extra.
Q. What is the cost of nitrox in Cozumel?
A. $10.00 per tank per person paid in advance as a group.
Q. How many 100cf tanks you all have and if there is an extra charge for them. (In Cozumel)
A. We have about 10 but if you let them know in advance then we can try to set them aside for you at no extra charge for your group. You know we love your group!
Q. Is your compressor working? (Cozumel)
A. The compressor should be working but I will verify.
Q. And is the dive shop finished? (Cozumel)
A. The shop is finished and the boat is picking up from the pier.
Q. Do you have storage lockers in Cozumel?
A. We have 30 lockers tip: once you get here have everybody bring their own locks and get a locker when they arrive. If you do not have enough we can get you a room.
PLEASE obtain trip insurance ...it is VERY inexpensive and will protect your investment. You can purchase it right online as well as check quotes etc. It is very economical and averages about $ for this trip.
Click here for a free quote or to purchase online!
or
Click here for another provider that provides excellent rates and coverage!
Edited by ScubaPunk, 25 July 2008 - 04:01 PM.
