I have 1 spot for a trip to Isla Mujeres this coming August 5-9, 2010, to photograph whale sharks aggregating. Trip is led by Elijah Woolery, co-editor of Wetpixel Quarterly. No words are necessary to explain this -- just see the video Shawn made last year!
[vimeohd]6959831[/vimeohd]
TRIP DATES
1. July 31 - August 4, 2010: led by Eric Cheng (FULL)
Arrive July 30, depart August 5 (5 days on the water, 7 days total)
2. August 5 - 9, 2010: led by Eli Woolery (I won't be on this leg of the trip)
Arrive August 4, depart August 10 (5 days on the water, 7 days total)
The aerial count least year was 275 or so whale sharks -- AT ONCE, ON THE SURFACE. You know there are probably many more just below the surface.
We'll be snorkeling only, but there *may* be an option to get under with a pony bottle. This may not be legal, so don't count on it.
We'll be staying at the Playa Media Luna on Isla Mujeres, which is about $110/night for a bungalow, or $100/night for a room (dual occupancy OK). There is no real option to stay in Cancun because it requires a ferry ride to Isla Mujeres, which would be a pain to do every day. I've stayed at the hotel -- it is clean, safe, and comfortable. If you would like to stay somewhere else, that is, of course, fine. There are lots of restaurants on the island - it isn't the craziness that you find in Cancun, and once you get off the (tiny) tourist strip, it feels really local.
We get around the island by golf cart, and will need 2 of them for our group of 6.
Each day, we head out on the water in a sport fishing boat. It isn't that big, but there is plenty of room for 6 people. It is going to be HOT AS HELL out there in the sun, but the boat has plenty of cover. It's just when the sun gets low that it is hard to stay in the shade. Breakfast is typically snacky, and a simple lunch is included on the boat (sandwiches, fruit, juice, water).
COST:
The cost for this trip is $1750 per person for the 5 days on the water. I'll need to tack on $85 per person for golf cart, which would make it $1835.00 per person. This includes the charter, golf cart, breakfast, and lunch.
Payment is due in full with your booking.
Estimated extra costs (your responsibility):
Car Transfers in Cancun $15.00
Ferry $13.00
Hotel $300.00 (6 nights, double occupancy)
Food $75.00
Tip $150.00
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~ $550 PLUS round-trip AIRFARE to Cancun.
Airfare is typically inexpensive to Cancun -- less than $400.
This is a lot of money for a 7-day trip with 5 days in the water, but it is a really special encounter. There are inexpensive day boats that head out there as well, but they are typically cattle boats where you spend 15 minutes in the water before being called back onboard. The park restricts the number of people in the water, and we are there on a special deal that allows us to spend unlimited time each day.
If you're interested, please let me know here:
