Whale Sharks in Holbox

[Manne's Susie]

WE HAD BEEN IN HOLBOX

A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE

HERE ARE 2 PICS



THE WHOLE TRIP REPORT YOU WILL FIND HERE: - Whale Sharks in Holbox

HAVE FUN

SUSIE

[PlayaWithMe2]

Thanks for the pics! I'm highly anticipating our swim with the whale sharks next month.

What a nice family to invite you into their home and feed you.

[Mallory]

Originally Posted by PlayaWithMe2

Thanks for the pics! I'm highly anticipating our swim with the whale sharks next month.

What a nice family to invite you into their home and feed you.

Are you guys going to Holbox? I would really like to go check it out next time, It looks like great place.

[PlayaWithMe2]

Originally Posted by Mallory

Are you guys going to Holbox? I would really like to go check it out next time, It looks like great place.

Yes! I can't wait! This is truly a once in a lifetime thing for both of us. I'm stoked!

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by PlayaWithMe2

Yes! I can't wait! This is truly a once in a lifetime thing for both of us. I'm stoked!

We are going to do it also, but haven't booked it yet. We are trying to decide if just Kelsey and I should do it from Playa, or if we should rent a car and all just drive their to spend a night and all of us do it. Can't decide.

I think we're leaning towards just Kelsey and I doing it, and then John and Jorden will do the ATV Jungle trip the same day.

[PlayaWithMe]

Originally Posted by Ginger

We are going to do it also, but haven't booked it yet. We are trying to decide if just Kelsey and I should do it from Playa, or if we should rent a car and all just drive their to spend a night and all of us do it. Can't decide.

I think we're leaning towards just Kelsey and I doing it, and then John and Jorden will do the ATV Jungle trip the same day.

So do you have an underwater case for your camera? I am sitting here with all my stuff all over the bed trying to decide what to take this trip.

Nevermind I read your response on the other thread.....I have seen the housings for the canon dslr they are huuuge.

[banzoomba]

Originally Posted by Manne's Susie

Wow..........

[PlayaWithMe]

Originally Posted by banzoomba

Wow..........

They can get as large as sixty tons.........

[banzoomba]

Originally Posted by PlayaWithMe

They can get as large as sixty tons.........

I have heard that the females don't get that large till after they have found a mate

[PlayaWithMe]

Originally Posted by banzoomba

I have heard that the females don't get that large till after they have found a mate

I don't see the the smiley with the zipper over his mouth....But am not touching that one.

[StewartG]

Hey, question for y'all...

Do you guys think Iain will be able to do it? He's 7. I've taken him snorkling in Akumal Bay, and we've gone all the way out to the reefs...

I'd love for him to see something so magnificent, but not sure it would be completely safe for him.

Any thoughts?

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Hey, question for y'all...

Do you guys think Iain will be able to do it? He's 7. I've taken him snorkling in Akumal Bay, and we've gone all the way out to the reefs...

I'd love for him to see something so magnificent, but not sure it would be completely safe for him.

Any thoughts?

My only thought is that from every report I've read you have to swim kind of hard to keep up to them to be alongside them. Other than that, they are very docile from what I undersand.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Ginger

My only thought is that from every report I've read you have to swim kind of hard to keep up to them to be alongside them. Other than that, they are very docile from what I undersand.

Mmmmm...

Good tip, thanks. Iain is a very good swimmer, and comfortable in the water, but still only has 7 year old arms, so isn't a very strong swimmer.

Also, I understand the whale sharks run out in open water? Is it anywhere near the shoreline? If Iain couldn't see the shore, I think he might freak a bit...

[Streckman]

I didn't think we could say Holbox here let alone post pics

[Libby]

We went to Isla Holbox last summer, and had an amazing experience swimming with the whale sharks! John wrote about it on our blog. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking an adventure. For me, driving is part of the adventure. Although getting to Isla was not very difficult, you will want to have a good map with you. We always take our Guia Roja atlas with us on road trips. If you're not all that adventurous or you've never driven in Mexico, you'll want to take a tour.

Stewart, I would agree with Ginger about it depending on how strong of a swimmer Ian is. I'm a very comfortable snorkeler, a certified diver, and I ain't afraid of no whale sharks. But I even got a bit nervous; my heart was really racing the first time I got in the water. You can't take your time getting into the water. You sit there waiting for the go ahead from your guide. When the whale shark is in just the right spot, you get the cue, and you jump in the water immediately and start kicking your heart out to keep up. The first time, we lost the shark right way. The second time, we kept up for just a little while. The third time, we finally got it right. We were very lucky to get 3 chances. You might only get 1 or 2 if your boat is full. But any time you get with these gentle giants is really amazing!

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Libby

We went to Isla Holbox last summer, and had an amazing experience swimming with the whale sharks! John wrote about it on our blog. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking an adventure. For me, driving is part of the adventure. Although getting to Isla was not very difficult, you will want to have a good map with you. We always take our Guia Roja atlas with us on road trips. If you're not all that adventurous or you've never driven in Mexico, you'll want to take a tour.

Stewart, I would agree with Ginger about it depending on how strong of a swimmer Ian is. I'm a very comfortable snorkeler, a certified diver, and I ain't afraid of no whale sharks. But I even got a bit nervous; my heart was really racing the first time I got in the water. You can't take your time getting into the water. You sit there waiting for the go ahead from your guide. When the whale shark is in just the right spot, you get the cue, and you jump in the water immediately and start kicking your heart out to keep up. The first time, we lost the shark right way. The second time, we kept up for just a little while. The third time, we finally got it right. We were very lucky to get 3 chances. You might only get 1 or 2 if your boat is full. But any time you get with these gentle giants is really amazing!

Thanks for sharing your experience, Libby... I've decided I'm going to wait at least another season before I take Iain to see this gentle giants.

Sounds like an amazing experience.

[jamnkats]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Thanks for sharing your experience, Libby... I've decided I'm going to wait at least another season before I take Iain to see this gentle giants.

Sounds like an amazing experience.

That is probably (not knowing Ian) a good choice. My 8yo and 6yo's snorkel regularly here in PaaMul. They never use flippers but also hate the snorkel, preferring to dive down and use just the mask. We go out at least 4 times a week so they have a lot of experience (we just go to the drop off; not the wall). I still wouldn't be comfortable taking them with us - they would be ok on the boat and I remember emailing with a guy on Isla Mujeres about it and forget his response but it led me to believe that we would be better off just taking the boys (14 and 12) and have one adult stay back with the girls. They are very accomplished swimmers and snorkelers and swim un-aided for long distances, but they are not ready for this trip either.

[PlayaWithMe]

After reading Libby's blog...I am somewhat concerned about how little time you actually get to spend with the whale sharks. Has anyone else done the tours and If so was your experience the same? Not interested in spending the time it takes to get out to them and then getting to spend such a small amount of time to see them.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by jamnkats

That is probably (not knowing Ian) a good choice. My 8yo and 6yo's snorkel regularly here in PaaMul. They never use flippers but also hate the snorkel, preferring to dive down and use just the mask. We go out at least 4 times a week so they have a lot of experience (we just go to the drop off; not the wall). I still wouldn't be comfortable taking them with us - they would be ok on the boat and I remember emailing with a guy on Isla Mujeres about it and forget his response but it led me to believe that we would be better off just taking the boys (14 and 12) and have one adult stay back with the girls. They are very accomplished swimmers and snorkelers and swim un-aided for long distances, but they are not ready for this trip either.

Okay, good, thanks for the feedback!

Yeah, that makes a big difference to me!

I think I've made the right decision...

[Beth&Scott]

Loved your Holbox photos and your website! We will have to stop by for some food when we travel to PDC in the future!

We spent a week in Holbox last December and loved it. We stayed in Los Mapaches, unfortunately we were unable to swim with the whale sharks since it was out of season. Looks like you had a good time! Holbox is a must see- wonderful island!

On your website, found your story on Osa...hope she has (or finds) a home, she sounds like a special dog! The Peanut Pet Shelter is great, isnt it?