Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Nov 20-24, 2024
Nov 19-23, 2025
Nov 18-22, 2026
US$3400
Per participant for couples accommodations.
Single supplement of $315.
Includes a $500 US tax-deductible donation to MarAlliance for whale sharks and manta ray research and conservation work.
25% due upon booking.
3 nights
2 activity days
Bull Shark aggregation on the Costa de Maya, Mexico’s Caribbean
Embark on an unforgettable adventure by joining our research expedition in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where pregnant female Bull Sharks give birth annually. Immerse yourself in a collaborative environment alongside local experts from the Baalche Proyecto Azul, as we lead you on an exploration fueled by cutting-edge technology and innovative methodologies.
Our expedition promises a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dive into the fascinating world of these magnificent creatures. Under the expert guidance of our experts, you’ll refine your photography skills, capturing awe-inspiring imagery that not only documents our findings but also ignites a passion for marine conservation.
Participate in engaging citizen science activities designed to make a tangible impact on our understanding of these incredible “jaguars of the sea.” Through meticulous photo identification and video documentation, you’ll play a vital role in uncovering the mysteries surrounding Bull Sharks’ distribution, habitat preferences, migratory behaviours, and reproductive dynamics.
An exciting initiative during the course of the expedition includes filtering water to collect samples of Environmental DNA also known as eDNA. This will enable us to record species present as they slough their skin/scales/mucus in the water that remain unseen in transects, BRUVs or scientific longlines/drumlines
Objective
Encounter a key species that forms part of MarAlliance’s research and conservation efforts in several countries and support the global photo identification database for bull sharks.
Activities
- Learn about our ocean’s bull sharks and gain insights into current research and conservation efforts globally and MarAlliance’s work specifically.
- Guided encounters in-situ with bull sharks
- Photo identification of bull sharks
- Size estimation of animals
- BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) placement and review.
- Uploading of information in the global database for these species and support the broad citizen science initiative.
Travel and accommodation
You will arrive at Cancún International Airport in Mexico. Once at the airport, we will have pre-arranged transfers that will take you and your luggage directly to Coco Cabanas in Playa del Carmen. (https://www.cocoscabanas.com/). Transfer includes transportation to the hotel.
You will stay in Coco Cabanas with all the modern amenities and special touches that you need. Each room comes equipped with double beds, air conditioning, Wifi, coffee machine, hairdryer, and much more.
Hotel room accommodations charges are based on couples in a room. Should you want a room to yourself, a single supplement charge of $315 is applied.
Playa del Carmen is a vacation destination known for its beaches, shopping and restaurants, as well as snorkelling and scuba diving sites. To the east is the Caribbean Sea.
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Day 1
Travel Day. Arrive at Cancún International Airport in Mexico. Try to arrive in Cancún no later than 3:00pm to ensure sufficient time to reach Playa del Carmen.
Transfer from Cancún International Airport to Playa del Carmen and Coco Cabanas via minibus. This transfer is included in your package.
Afternoon & Evening
Check into your room and get comfortable. Pre dinner with snacks. Bull Shark discussion and field orientation by Dr. Rachel Graham & M.Sc. Ceci Gutierrez.
7:00pm
Group dinner in Playa del Carmen.
Day 2
Breakfast at Coco Cabanas.
8:00am
Taxi to Dive Mike (15-min ride)
8:15am – 9am
- Ensure all dive documents and dive equipment are in order and sized as needed.
- Nitrox Course Referral Review (optional)
- Briefing about the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve.
9am
2-tank reef dives
2:00pm
Lunch in Playa del Carmen
3:00pm
Discussion about the following topics at Coco Cabanas:
- 1. About the bull sharks
a. Anatomy of a shark
b.Understanding our aggregation site
i.Who comes here
ii.Why they come
iii. Since when this happens
c. Fishing, diving and conservation - 2. About the project:
a. Objective and main goals
b.Who is part of it
c. How does it work
d. How are our expedition guests going to help - 3. PhotoID Protocol
a. How to take a photo/video for the ID Database
b. How to send the photos/videos for later analysis.
6:00pm
Cocktails at Coco Cabanas
7:00pm
Group dinner in Playa del Carmen.
Day 3
7:00-8:00 am
Breakfast at Coco Cabanas. Safety briefing.
8:30am
Bull Shark Dive Briefing
11:00am
Taxi to Dive Mike (15-min ride)
12:00pm
Bull Shark Dive # 1
1:30pm
Lunch in Playa del Carmen
3:00pm
Bull Shark Dive # 2 Briefing followed by a dive
5:30pm
Return to Coco Cabanas
6:30pm
Cocktails at Coco Cabanas – Review of BRUVs.
7:30pm
Group dinner in Playa del Carmen.
Day 4
7:00-8:00 am
Breakfast at Coco Cabanas. Safety briefing.
8:30am
Bull Shark Dive Briefing at Coco Cabanas
11:00am
Taxi to Dive Mike (15-min ride)
12:00pm
Bull Shark Dive # 1 – Placement of BRUVs.
1:30pm
Lunch in Playa del Carmen
3:00pm
Bull Shark Dive # 2 Briefing followed by a dive – Retrieval of BRUVs.
5:30pm
Return to Coco Cabanas
6:30pm
Cocktails at Coco Cabanas
7:30pm
Group dinner in Playa del Carmen.
Diplomas for Shark Ambassador to be given to all Expeditioners as a
thank you for their participation and help
** Note to consider – flights should be booked to depart after 1:00pm on Day # 5
Day 5
Travel day – Breakfast at Coco Cabanas and onward journey or return to Cancún International Airport via ground transfer. If flying out the same day, we recommend that you book your flight to leave at midday earliest to avoid having to rush to the airport.
Travel tips
- The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). The US$ is equivalent changes frequently so please check https://www.xe.com/ for the current exchange rates. We recommend exchanging money prior to arrival however, If you must use American dollars in Mexico, you can get away with it in big tourist destinations, such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen, but be aware you will probably be charged at a lower rate. An easy way to quickly access money while travelling is to use your debit or credit card in an ATM or cash machine in Mexico: you will receive Mexican currency and your bank will withdraw the equivalent funds from your account plus a fee for the transaction.
- Electrical outlets in Mexico supply between 110 and 120 Volts AC (Same as U.S./Canada)
- Tap water is not potable in Mexico; drink only factory sealed water to guarantee it is safe to drink.
- If you plan on using your cell phone, standard roaming charges will apply and rates will be carrier dependent. Most restaurants, hotels and bars are equipped with Wi-Fi that is free for paying customers.
- Mexico is a Spanish speaking country however; you should have no problem getting around as most service industry types speak English.
Safety
Safety is our top concern. All boats carry basic first aid kits, radio communications and an emergency plan.
Contacts for Mexico
Coco Cabanas, Xcalacoco, Playa del Carmen Q.R. 77710, Mexico
Hotel – Mexico: Phone: +52 998 874 7056 & +52 984 188 4753
Email: reservascocos@gmail.com
Website: https://www.cocoscabanas.com/
Rachel Graham:
+507 68677749
Whatsapp:+507 68677749
rachel@maralliance.org
Ceci Guitierrez:
Whatsapp + 52 998 147 8650
What to bring
For the sun and sea
- Sunscreen*
- Sunglasses**
- Hat
- Swim wear (at least 2 suits), for women: quick dry shorts
- Rashguard***
- Lycra bodysuit/pants
- Water socks
- Hand coverage
* Make sure your sunscreen is coral/reef safe and doesn’t contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC and the common preservative butylparaben, all of which kill coral.
** Polarized are recommended as they cut down the glare on the water.
*** We will have these for sale too (The tropical sun is strong; full coverage is important)
Clothing
- 2-3 T-shirts
- 2-3 pairs of shorts
- One long-sleeved shirt and one pair of long pants *
- 1 large regular towel (if you have space)
- Large quick dry towel
- Pareo or wrap
* To take out on the water in case you start getting too much sun
Equipment + Dive Equipment
- Full rental equipment is available at an extra charge.
- Please note that if guests are bringing their dive gear, shark regulation dictates only dark colours and full wetsuits. No white, yellow or bright colors are allowed.
- Mask, fins and snorkel (test equipment before arrival)
- Rain jacket/poncho (just in case)
- Underwater or splash-proof camera/GoPro
- Headlamp with rechargeable batteries
- Dry sack for keeping camera gear and other items water-free
- Reusable water bottle
Health and wellbeing
- Bug spray
- Sea-sick? Dramamine or meclizine**
- Own medicines
- Snacks, e.g. hard candy‡
- Books to read
‡ Always good to have following the snorkel transects
**Bring a supply of Dramamine or meclizine to ensure you are comfortable while out at sea.
All Expeditions:
Yes, these fees/donations are tax deductible in the US.
Isla Mujeres, Mexico Expedition:
Yes, $500 of the total fees/donations are tax deductible in the US for MarAlliance for whale sharks and manta ray research and conservation work.
Yes! Note, however, that if you benefit from employer matching, the quoted trip cost is reduced by half made possible by your company’s 100% donation matching. Non-company employees would pay the quoted trip cost which is tax deductible.
*A prospective volunteer pointed out that if he pays for both himself and his +1, then the entire payment is a donation and should be eligible for matching.
The prices quoted are the prices that you would pay. MarAlliance is relying on your company’s gift match to cover its total costs, so if you were to sign up for a trip, you would pay 50% of the total cost, and your company’s matching gift would be the other 50%.
*Due to the purely volunteer nature of the trip (not a tourist venture), the price you pay for the trip can be considered a donation to MarAlliance (a nonprofit) and is thus (a) tax deductible; and (b) eligible for 100% gift matching.
**Non-company employees whose companies do not offer 100% gift matching would pay the full, tax-deductible. If you’re bringing a +1 and elect to pay for both trips yourself, the full donation should be eligible for gift matching.
Yes, you can either elect to forego gift matching (and make a separate donation to cover the incremental match price). Or, you can work with MarAlliance to reserve a spot on your trip of choice and hold payment until the following year, when you’ll once again be eligible for gift matching. Email expeditions@maralliance.org.
Belize, Lighthouse Reef – Very remote, on a small island with no cell service, but internet for a fee payable to Audubon Park Rangers. Glamping accommodations in yurt style tents, private cooks, and the focus is on sharks and turtles. Snorkelling only.
Belize, Gladden – Remote, on a small island with cell service and internet. Three double occupancy beach cabanas. Additional glamping accommodations in yurt style tents, private cooks, and the focus is on sharks and turtles. Snorkelling only.
Mexico, Isla Mujeres – Accommodations will be in a more luxurious hotel by the beach with trips out to the whale shark aggregation zone on a medium sized power boat. Our primary focus will be Whale sharks and Manta Rays. Snorkelling only.
Belize, Ambergris Caye – On this barrier reef island, there are full services of cell, internet, banking, etc. Accommodations are in the ocean front private Canary Cove Villa, and the focus is on sharks, rays, and turtles. Diving and snorkelling.
Mexico, Playa del Carmen – Accommodations will be in a local beach hotel within close proximity to the dive shop for trips out to the reef to see the bull shark aggregation zone on a medium sized power boat. Our primary focus will be Bull Sharks. Diving only.
Panama, Las Perlas – Close to Panama City, accommodations are on the island of Contadora in the Las Perlas archipelago. Hotel accommodations on this island offer full cell and internet services. Our primary focus is on sharks, rays, and turtles. Diving and snorkelling.
Volunteers will spend most of their days in boats, out on the water participating in one of three activities; typically, from 8am until sunset. Data entry & presentations will follow in the evenings.
To work side-by-side with MarAlliance staff and local fishermen as part of the expedition team
To contribute to critical marine conservation and monitoring/research efforts
To learn new skills
Learn about marine animals, the reef, the countries culture, politics, and about the local fishermen’s livelihoods
Enjoy tropical island life for a week
To be well fed and enjoy good company!
The only way we can measure and tag sharks is if we catch them. We minimize our handling time and sharks have little to no feeling in their dorsal fins where we place the tag. By comparison millions of sharks are killed yearly and we are trying to reduce these deaths.
No! However, if you would like to extend your stay, we would be happy to arrange your diving excursions. For optional diving, one must possess a certification card.
No, evenings comprise of data entry and presentations.
Yes! Most dietary needs can be accommodated.
Belize, and Panama have 10 spots allocated to each. Isla Mujeres, Mexico has 8 spots. Playa del Carmen, Mexico has 6 spots.
18+ years for week-long expeditions and 10+ for Isla Mujeres, Mexico. 18+ years for Playa del Carmen, Mexico expedition
Yes, MarAlliance requires participants to have travel insurance, however if your company provides travel insurance you may consider whether coverage is sufficient. We will request proof of insurance once the expedition is booked.
Note: Company provided travel insurance-things to consider
Does it cover medical (including evacuation)?
Does it provide trip cancellation insurance?
Does is cover me on paid leave?
Does it cover me on unpaid leave?
Yes! Whether you join one of the expeditions or not, MarAlliance is always looking for volunteers with special skill sets that can help us to meet our mission or donors to fund our operational, education and field costs including the purchase of satellite tags that help us to track the migration patterns of sharks, rays and turtles.
Amount $3500 (covers 1 sat tag and a portion of the satellite transmission time). You’re welcome to go in on a tag with a group of friends!
Donors who fund tags will get to choose a name for the animal tagged and receive daily updates on its movements (tags may remain with animal for weeks, months, even years).
Donated tags may be deployed by MarAlliance and expedition volunteers during this years’ expedition.
Receive weekly updates
*Donated tags are also tax deductible
BOOKING POLICY
$ – 25% deposit to secure your reservation upon booking.
$ – 40% payable prior to 90 days before the arrival date.
$ – 35% payable prior to 30 days before the arrival date.
CANCELLATION POLICY
– For cancellations after a deposit of 25%, the deposit is forfeited.
– For cancellations 61 days prior to arrival date, 50% of the total trip cost is forfeited.
– For cancellations after 60 days prior to arrival date, all payments are forfeited.
Price includes
- All accommodations at Coco Cabanas, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Three days of diving to include 2 days of Bull Shark diving.
- Breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners, non-alcoholic drinks, (2) alcoholic beverages with dinner
- Roundtrip ground transfers from Cancun Airport to Coco Cabanas in Playa del Carmen
- Tax deductible donation to support bull shark research
- Swag bag
- Interpretation and talks by Dr. Rachel Graham
Price does not include
- International flights
- Visa if needed
- Travel, health or cancellation insurance
- Alcohol and tips for hotel and boat staff
- Personal items and incidentals
- Dive Gear Rental
- Nitrox Course (optional)