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.
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.
Experience the world’s largest combined aggregation of whale sharks and manta rays feeding in clear warm waters only 30-45 minutes from Isla Mujeres off the north east tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. You will get the opportunity to swim with the world’s largest shark and largest ray and contribute to a global citizen science effort that has been helping to reveal migratory routes, residency and population sizes. This activity is snorkeling only and is suitable for adults and children over the ages of 18.
Dr. Rachel Graham, Founder and Executive Director of MarAlliance (maralliance.org) will introduce you to the world’s largest fish and if the conditions are right to the world’s largest ray. These species are near and dear to her heart as she has conducted cutting edge and much replicated work with whale sharks over the past 20 years and is the first person to have completed her PhD in the western hemisphere on the world’s largest fish. She has published a range of science on both whale sharks and manta rays and has successfully advocated for their protection and worked with tourism operators to either set up or improve tourism practices in several countries including Mexico and the aggregation to be visited by our group.
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 whale sharks.
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 Ixchel Beach
Hotel, Isla Mujeres (https://www.ixchelbeachhotel.com/). Transfer includes transportation to the ferry, ferry to Isla Mujeres, then transfer to the hotel.
You will stay in Ixchel Beach Hotel standard rooms with a partial sea and/or city view, with all the modern amenities and special touches that you need. Each room comes equipped with two double beds, air conditioning, Wifi, coffee machine, hairdryer, digital safe deposit box, 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.
Isla Mujeres is a Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea, 13 kilometers off the coast from Cancún. It’s a vacation destination known for its beaches such as northern Playa Norte, snorkeling and scuba diving on the surrounding coral reefs, and of course whale shark tours. To the east is the Caribbean Sea with a strong surf and rocky coast, and to the west the skyline of Cancún can be seen across the clear waters.
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 Isla Mujeres.
Transfer from Cancún International Airport to Isla Mujeres and Ixchel Beach Hotel, via minibus, then ferry, then taxi. These transfers are included in your package.
Afternoon
Setting up for the tour the following day. Although snorkel gear will be available, we recommend that you bring your own gear that you have become comfortable with prior to the trip. This will minimize getting used to the gear and or snorkeling if you have not been snorkeling, so that you may enjoy the tour to the fullest. All guest must wear floatation provided by the boat captain.
Evening
Pre dinner with snacks. Whale shark and manta ray talk and field orientation by Dr. Rachel Graham.
Group dinner in Isla Mujeres.
7:00-8:00 am
Walk or taxi to the boat. Breakfast on the boat.
8:30-1:30 pm
Outing to the whale shark zone with local operator. Briefings will be given on the boat and guests are allowed in the water with the animals two at a time with the guide. Lunch and drinks will be provided on the boat.
Afternoon is free to relax, sightsee or dive locally.
Review all photo identification photos and upload to www.whaleshark.org to update the global database.
5:30 pm
Review of the day followed by a talk by Dr. Rachel Graham and discussion.
7:00 pm
Group dinner in Isla Mujeres.
7:00-8:00
Walk or taxi to the boat. Breakfast on the boat.
8:30-1:30 am
Outing to the whale shark zone with local operator. Lunch and drinks will be provided on the boat.
2:00-5:00 pm
Relaxing afternoon to sightsee or take a much needed break.
5:00 pm
Review of the day and photographs, uploading of images if time permits, followed by a talk by Dr. Rachel Graham and discussion.
7:00 pm
Group dinner in Isla Mujeres.
Travel day – Breakfast in Isla Mujeres and onward journey or return to Cancún International Airport via Ferry and Airport Transfer. If flying out the same day, we recommend that you book your flight to leave late Morning or mid-day earliest to avoid having to rush to the airport.
Safety is our top concern. All boats carry basic first aid kits, radio communications and an emergency plan.
Because travel requirements for COVID vaccinations and testing are changing frequently, we ask that you consult us about the latest requirements for specific Expedition locations and dates. Email us at expeditions@maralliance.org
Ixchel Beach Hotel, Avenida Nichupte Manzana 5 Lote 8 – 13, Número 30 SM 16. Cancún Quintana Roo CP. 77505
Hotel – Mexico: Phone: +52 998 802 1014 Ext. 2
Hotel – US/CAN Toll-free: 1 800 638 5061
Email: reservation@ixchelbeachhotel.com
Website: https://www.ixchelbeachhotel.com/
Rachel Graham:
+507 68677749
Whatsapp:+507 68677749
rachel@maralliance.org
If you need any of the below items, you can help sharks and rays by choosing MarAlliance as your nonprofit on Amazon Smile. Amazon donates a few cents from each purchase to help us to conduct research, education and conservation for sharks and rays and fight for these awesome animals. It all adds up and it really makes a difference. Thank you for your support!
* 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)
* To take out on the water in case you start getting too much sun
‡ 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 or internet. Glamping accommodations in yurt style tents, private cooks, and the focus is on sharks and turtles.
Belize, San Pedro – On the barrier reef island of Ambergris Caye. Full services of cell, internet, banking, etc are available. Accommodations are in the ocean front Sunbreeze Hotel, and the focus is on sharks, rays, and turtles.
Panama – All-inclusive (except alcohol) hotel accommodations in a remote area of Isla Bastimentos. Our primary focus is on sharks, rays and fish.
Cabo Verde – Accommodations will be Guest house style with field work completed on a mix of large and small boats. Our primary focus will be Whale sharks, Manta Rays and small to medium coastal sharks.
Mexico – 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.
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, Honduras, and Panama have 10 spots allocated to each. Cabo Verde and Mexico have 8 spots.
18+ years for week-long expeditions and 10+ for the Mexico expeditions.
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.