CROCODILE EXPEDITION- Yucatan Mexico Join Dr. Andrea Marshall & Janneman Conradie in Mexico on an exclusive expedition to the Chinchorro Banks Biosphere Reserve to encounter American crocodiles and other marine megafauna Exclusive Expedition Dates 24 28 July 2015 FOR BOOKING ENQUIRES CONTACT: info@rayofhopeexpeditions.com Please note that there is a 50% deposit required to book spaces on these expeditions. Places will only be held with a full deposit & completed terms and conditions form.
The Location The Yucatan Peninsula has grown from a stretch of sleepy fishing villages to one of the most popular tourism destinations in Mexico. This region boasts sensational marine tourism opportunities including SCUBA diving and freediving. It is home to some of the largest coral reefs and atolls on earth, boasts complex networks of freshwater caves known as cenotes, and has world-class wrecks. Encounters with rare megafauna from manta rays and whale sharks to sailfish delight even the most seasoned ocean lovers and offer incredible photographic opportunities. If you have not been on an expedition to this region, this is your time to start, with the July being the peak season for marine tourism for marine megafauna.
Hours away from the hustle and bustle of the touristy Cancun area, near the boarder of Belize, hides one of the greatest treasures of the state of Quintana Roo. Here, adventurous travelers can explore the Xcalak National Marine Park home to rare marine megafauna species like giant tarpon and West Indian manatees. Remote and well preserved, this coastal area offers spectacular diving and snorkeling. It is said that the jewel of the region lies 35 kilometers offshore. The Chinchorro Banks Biosphere Reserve is an 800km 2 coral atoll, the largest and the oldest in the western hemisphere. This complex marine environment is largely underwater but has several small island keys fringed with coral reefs, dense mangroves and shallow seagrass beds. This unspoiled wilderness is largely pristine with little foot traffic from tourists. Its isolated offshore location is hard to access and requirements for special permits mean that few people have actually had the opportunity to visit this incredible area. The drawcard no doubt is unique encounters with American crocodiles but there are many other wonderful things to see ranging from other iconic reptiles, like the pink iguana, to over 100 species of coral. Dive sites are being constantly discovered as are shallow water shipwrecks (they have dozens including two Spanish galleons!!).
The Crocs Crocodiles. One of the most misunderstood and vilified animals on the planet, engendering a high degree of public fear and loathing. They often rank in the top 10 most devastating predators on the land or sea making people wary of close encounters with them. Like sharks, it has taken a while for people to warm to the idea of focused tourism with wild crocodiles, but as we have found with most sharks species, done responsibly it is possible to have incredible, life-changing encounters with these giant reptiles. The American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a species of crocodilian found in the neotropics, one of the four species found in the Americas. Other than the infamous saltwater croc, the American crocodile is the only other species that thrives in saltwater environments making them a common site along beaches, in offshore
island environments, even in hypersaline lakes. It is a large crocodile species, reaching up to 6m in length and weighing in at over 900kg. Despite their large size, this species rarely attacks large animals nor does it have a particularly aggressive temperament. In the heart of the Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve American crocodiles can be found lazing around in shallow seagrass beds. With expert guides the crocodiles can be approached safely allowing for extreme encounters and incredible photographic opportunities (watch this short video clip to seehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u6hvfoseog). We invite you to take a swim on the wild side with us, shattering misperceptions about this maligned creature and conversely promoting positive interactions with this marine mega-reptile.
Your Itinerary July 24 (Transit & Arrival Day)- Participants will be transported from Cancun to the XTC Dive Center in Xcalak. The drive, by comfortable van, will take about 5-6 hours and will navigate through incredible scenery. Guests will stay at the Flying Cloud Hotel and will dine at the Coral Bar & Grill. On this first evening the team will discuss the strategy for the next couple of days. July 25- Our group will have an early breakfast at the Coral Bar & Grill and then go on two local dives in the Xcalak National Marine Park. The first dive with be in La Poza where we hope to have outstanding encounters with giant tarpon (get an idea here- https://vimeo.com/67697122). The surface interval and second dive will be spent looking for manatees, a resident of the area. While sightings are not guaranteed, these gentle giants are frequently seen in both the mangroves and on the open reefs in the Poza Rica area. At this time of year the water will be around 29 C/84 F with an average visibility of 20m/66ft. We will come back for a late lunch after which we will have a photography workshop with Andrea and Janneman to prepare you for the crocodile opportunities ahead. We will dine again at the Coral Bar & Grill and stay the night at the Flying Cloud Hotel.
July 26 & 27- These days will be spent in the incredible Chinchorro Banks. While our main priority will in-water encounters with the crocs, we will also be able to visit the local research center, learn more about the local flora and fauna and photograph the endemic pink iguanas that live in this remarkable offshore habitat. On the 26th we will depart for Chinchorro early after breakfast and make an early morning dive. The rest of the day will be dedicated to crocs, giving us rare opportunities to photograph them from the surface and underwater. The evening of the 26th will be spent in an authentic stilted fisherman s house where we will learn more about local artisanal fishing techniques and culture. In true expedition style guests will sleep in hammocks and we will bring our supplies and food with us. On the 27th we will again go for an early morning dive, returning to our home base for breakfast and more dedicated time with the crocs. After lunch we will travel to the nearby research center to view dense numbers of crocs in the lagoon. At 3:30pm we will return to Xcalak where we will have a final group dinner at the Coral Bar & Grill and overnight at the Flying Cloud Hotel. July 28th (Transit and Departure Day)- After an early morning breakfast at the Coral Bar & Grill guests will be transported by private van back to Cancun. We expect to arrive around 3pm after which guests can arrange on-going transport from Cancun.
Expedition Details The expedition will be 5 days / 4 nights. You will have 3 full days in the water. This exclusive expedition is limited to 5 guests. Accommodation will be in the comfortable, waterfront Flying Cloud Hotel in Xcalak except for the night of the 26th when we will be housed in a fishing house in the Chinchorro Banks. All accommodation will be shared. Guests wanting a private room can enquire about a single rate supplement. 5-day expedition price $1,300/person Price Includes: Transportation to and from Cancun (5/6 hour drive in private van) 3-day dive/snorkel package. Tanks, air, weights & weight belts included (rental gear available on request) *Certification cards and diving insurance are required on arrival. 3 nights accommodation at the Flying Cloud Hotel in Xcalak 1 night accommodation at fishing camp in the Chinchorro Banks 3 meals a day, most of which will be at the Coral Bar & Grill in Xcalak Talks by biologists and photography workshops Price Excludes: International and/or domestic flights Diving & Travel Insurance (Travel insurance highly recommended, diving insurance required) Dive gear rental (if needed) Tips E-mail info@rayofhopeexpeditions.com for more information