2006: WHALESHARKS!!! Yes...we WILL see them in Holbox!!! Then off to Cozy!

I'm arriving in Cancun on Wed. July 12th. Should I return to Cancun Airport around noon on Fri. July 14th to catch the van to Holbox?

I don't think the Van times have been solidified. But we're planning to be back to the airport around 1pm. We'll be in Isla Mujeres. If you're looking for something to do and want to dive with us or just hang out let me know.

We've sent all the names and flight arrival times to the operator but I haven't heard back on the van times yet. I'll send an email reqesting this information and then post the info

OK..but may I inquire at what time the last person was to arrive ?

Just FYI; Jeff, Jerry, and I will arrive at 1pm at the airport to pick up the van. That's apparently the only time the van can take us from Isla Mujeres to Cancun airport.

Does anyone know the name of our hotel in Holbox?

Yes...Kamala does...LOL....actually there are only about three maybe four hotels with AC....It is very hot, humid...and bugs in Holbox (Holbosh). We have two hotels booked with AC...both moderately priced...I remember only one other with AC but the price was a little expensive....they have this environmental thing going on....most of the Motels and Pensions do not have AC.

Regarding the Vans leaving Cancun...the most current schedule I have seen regarding the ferry is....leaves around 3:30 and 8 pm. It takes about 3 hours to get to Chiquila, 40 minutes to Holbox. But Kamala may have a special boat to take us there....I do not think we will leave anyone behind...LOL

Sqzmee....I do not believe there is a videographer on the Island...Perhaps if you can find one.... they probably would charge an arm and a leg as they would have to be on a seperate boat....There is only so many people to a boat. That is why it is limited with the amount of people for this trip....but maybe you can find one of the SD'ers that might be bringing their gear....I only have a camera.

Remember this place is remote....very much an artist community...not too fancy....but great Ice Cream and eateries. It was found in 2004 by Ben Davidson for WhaleSharks..after his article was published in October 2004..... Well....in 2005 people flocked there for the Whalesharks....This year the Mexican goverment has put restrictions on the number of boats in the water at any given time and the Fishermen turned WhaleShark guides...have to be approved....Kamala has endeavored to get the best guides and boats....In the future I envision many more restrictions and prices going up...we are going at a perfect time

Ben saw a school of WhaleSharks that he estimated at around 50....People Kamala and I have spoke with who were there last year....saw no less than 6 at any given time with Mantas and Dolphins....I think this will be a better than great experience......Fingrabber....You should be going!!!!!

Hope this info helps.

Edited by Travelnsj, 08 July 2006 - 11:11 PM.

Hi gang...

This is my first trip to Mexico.... SO, I apologize for the stupidity... but what's the dress code -- especially for meals and such...? Will I need anything other than bathing suit, wet suit, shorts and tee shirts?

Thanks.

Hi gang...

This is my first trip to Mexico.... SO, I apologize for the stupidity... but what's the dress code -- especially for meals and such...? Will I need anything other than bathing suit, wet suit, shorts and tee shirts?

Thanks.

Mexico is pretty casual so shorts and t-shirts are fine; you might want some kind of coverup during the surface interval while the boat is moving to a new dive site...I tend to get a little chilled myself. You'll also want a cap or hat pluse sunglasses to wear on the dive boat in Cozumel

For all of you who are making this trip, "t.j." - my bride* asked me for a list of the folks going, and their pictures so she could start associating faces and names.

I put this file together from avatars and pictures in profiles, and one sent to me, and posted it here:

Link to Holbox / Cozumel trip members and pictures


Kevin - aka kkutexas, send picture or post it, and I'll re-do the file.


* -- aka SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) -- aka "The BOSS"

This is my first trip with this group so this is really great! THanks for putting this together and thank "the BOSS" for me

Anyone know the water temps right now?

does this help any one..says 28 -30 degrees C.. 28C = 82.4 F 29C = 84.2F 30C = 86F
http://www.osdpd.noa.../gulfmex.cf.gif

Edited by Seahorsewrangler, 09 July 2006 - 03:40 PM.

does this help any one..says 28 -30 degrees C.. 28C = 82.4 F 29C = 84.2F 30C = 86F
http://www.osdpd.noa.../gulfmex.cf.gif

Thanks Jeff. So I'm thinking a skin and 3mm for diving and snorkeling.

See everyone on Friday!!

Hello All,

I've only quickly skimmed through this Holbox thread, but didn't see anything mentioned regarding sunscreen. As I am headed with a group to Holbox the weekend of July 28 and just received trip info from the dive shop, I thought I'd share that information here. Kamala or whoever is leading the SD trip may provide similar information, so I hope I'm not stepping on any flippers in passing the following along:

Daryl

On the June 30 trip there were 9 whale sharks on the first day and 10 on the second day plus 2 mantas. Everyone swam with them to their heart's content. The tours begin about 7:00 am and motor to the feeding grounds, approximately 1.5 hours away, to search for whale sharks. The boats are small, open craft with minimal shade, so bring a hat and white cotton shirt for the ride. The use of only biodegradable sun block is required for the protection of the whale sharks and there are no exceptions. It is available at Academy Sports for $5.99 for a 4 ounce tube and also online. Here is a link to the product available at Academy: www.smartshield.com/02_marine_friendly.asp . No one will know what you apply at the hotel for the ride out, but have the biodegradable product to re-apply on the boat.

The boats hold from 7 to 10 passengers, depending on the size of the boat, and two at a time go in the water for a 10 to 15 minute turn with the animals. The turn begins with the boat placing you in the path of an animal, so you will see it from head to tail, but after that it is up to you to keep up. We will stay there until everyone has had as many turns as they like. The whale shark watching from the boat is also great and worthy of photos or video. A sandwich, fruit and a drink are served on the boat.

While any fins will do, either a long, flexible free diving fin or a split-fin work best. The desirable characteristics are speed with minimal energy expenditure. You may be swimming for ten minutes or more while keeping up with the swimming whale shark. The rules require some positive flotation and in my videos you will see tourists being forced to wear non-deflatable boating style life jackets. The way around this is to bring a very light wet suit, vest or even a black skin. The wet suit is considered flotation and they think a black skin is also a wet suit if you prefer even less buoyancy. This would allow one to surface dive down a few feet to follow a whale shark that has left the surface to avoid pesky snorkelers or to get a camera angle from below. Another benefit of the wetsuit is to have something soft and shock absorbent to sit on for the boat ride out.

Edited by Jazzdiver, 09 July 2006 - 10:14 PM.

Thanks Jazzdiver. That's great info. Now, does anyone know where in Louisville, Kentucky you can get that sunscreen .... today?

Fingrabber / Kamala - not to be pesty, but Jerry, Jeff and I leave tonight or tomorrow morning and we don't know where to meet the van for Holbox on Friday. I doubt I'll have internet access from Isla Mujeres so if someone could post something, or email me, I'd really appreciate it. We will be at Cancun airport Friday at 1pm. thanks!

Edited by landlocked, 10 July 2006 - 07:56 AM.

Thanks Jazzdiver. That's great info. Now, does anyone know where in Louisville, Kentucky you can get that sunscreen .... today?

SWMBO is making an academy run today. I'll have her bring extras.

The price may be slightly inflated

Mandi,

It seems that the requirement for biodegradable sunscreens is becoming more and more common from what I'm reading on the web. If you're in a pinch and can't find any, you may have to wait and hope that is will be available somewhere in Holbox, but no doubt at a premium price. I saw one thread where someone posted a picture of a bottle of "Carribbean Sunlife Sport Sun Block", but I found nothing about it. It does seem that biodegradable sunscreen is not so readily found, but searching on Google turned up quite a few links that I dug this information out of:

At Whole Foods Market: AquaBlock by Nature's Gate...on the back just above the active ingredients list it says "cruelty free, biodegradable". That is what you have to look for.

At Whole Foods Market: A brand called Aubrey Organics, and it says "biodegradable" in small print on the back."

Terra Organica: http://www.terra-org...m/sun-care.html

Burn Out: http://www.ecobathro...ntanlotion.html

Nature's Gate Sport Block: http://www.mothernat...u/54524/rfr/SHO


Regards,

Daryl

Edited by Jazzdiver, 10 July 2006 - 07:55 AM.

Mandi,

It seems that the requirement for biodegradable sunscreens is becoming more and more common from what I'm reading on the web. If you're in a pinch and can't find any, you may have to wait and hope that is will be available somewhere in Holbox, but no doubt at a premium price. I saw one thread where someone posted a picture of a bottle of "Carribbean Sunlife Sport Sun Block", but I found nothing about it. It does seem that biodegradable sunscreen is not so readily found, but searching on Google turned up quite a few links that I dug this information out of:

At Whole Foods Market: AquaBlock by Nature's Gate...on the back just above the active ingredients list it says "cruelty free, biodegradable". That is what you have to look for.

At Whole Foods Market: A brand called Aubrey Organics, and it says "biodegradable" in small print on the back."

Terra Organica: http://www.terra-org...m/sun-care.html

Burn Out: http://www.ecobathro...ntanlotion.html

Nature's Gate Sport Block: http://www.mothernat...u/54524/rfr/SHO


Regards,

Daryl

Thank you! Aubrey I can get. We have a whole foods and I have several health food markets right near my house. Thanks a bunch!! I too will bring extra if I can get ahold of it.

I too will bring extra if I can get ahold of it.

Let's delete our posts, and see what the market will bear once we cast off!!! (or should that be "BARE" ?? )

Thanks Jazzdiver. That's great info. Now, does anyone know where in Louisville, Kentucky you can get that sunscreen .... today?

SWMBO is making an academy run today. I'll have her bring extras.

The price may be slightly inflated

Sweet....I have a Whole Foods around the corner. I'll run over there today and see what I can come up with.