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General Overview
8 Days/7 nights
Departs from Brownsville, TX on Saturday, June 13, 2009
Returns to Brownsville, TX on Saturday, June 20, 2009
Trip limited to a maximum of 15 aircraft
Minimum number of aircraft required for tour: 8
During the summer months whale sharks congregate by the hundreds off the coast of the quaint Island of Holbox, the northernmost point of the Yucatan Peninsula, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea. Join us on this adventure where you snorkel alongside the largest species of fish living in the ocean today. Our adventure initiates flying south along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. On the way to our whale shark encounter, we will stop at two colonial cities: Veracruz and Campeche, where we will have the chance to take a peak into Mexico’s rich traditions and historic past. Upon reaching the wildlife sanctuary of Holbox, there will be time to unwind and to experience quaint island life, nature and adventure. Being able to swim and snorkel alongside these docile and magnificent creatures in their natural habitat represents the thrill of a lifetime! Dolphin and manta sightings, as well as encounters with an abundance of other wildlife, are all part of this adventure.
Price: |
USD$350 Airplane registration (non-refundable) |
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USD$2,450 per person double occupancy |
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Cost per additional person or for single occupancy available upon request |
Optional transportation Cancun-Holbox-Cancun
$ 900 round trip for a Cessna 206 that can carry 4 PAX (40 minutes)
$ 150 round trip per person by land/water, 2 person minimum (3 hours)
Navigation Information
Our route will take us along the coast of Mexico offering a spectacular view of miles of Gulf Coast beaches. Our port of entry will be the historic port city of Veracruz. The runway of the Holbox Island airport is 2,100 feet by 46 feet and is made of compacted limestone. For those pilots who would prefer not to land at the Holbox Island airport, we offer optional ground or air transportation (for an additional fee) from the Cancun International Airport to Holbox Island. Those participants who prefer to use the alternative transportation will leave their aircraft at the Cancun International Airport during their stay on Holbox Island.
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Brownsville to Veracruz |
440 NM |
Veracruz to Campeche |
383 NM |
Campeche to Holbox Island |
248 NM |
Holbox island to Merida |
132 NM |
Merida to Veracruz |
465 NM |
Veracruz to Brownsville |
440 NM |
Total distance: |
2,108 NM |
Charts required: |
DOD IFR charts L1/L2 and L3/T3 (included) |
Airports of landing |
ICAO Identifier |
IATA Identifier |
Runway length |
Brownsville |
KBRO |
BRO |
7,400 FT |
Veracruz |
MMVR |
VER |
7,874 FT |
Campeche |
MMCP |
CPE |
8,202 FT |
Merida |
MMMD |
MID |
10,499 FT |
Cancun |
MMUN |
CUN |
11,483 FT |
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HOL |
2,100 FT(Dirt) |
Itinerary
Caribbean Sky Tours’ (CST) Whale Shark 1 Fly-In departs from Brownsville, TX on Saturday and returns to Brownsville on Saturday Alternative air or ground transportation from the Cancun International Airport to Holbox Island and back is available for participants not able to land at the Holbox Island airport (for an additional fee).
There will be a pre-flight briefing Friday at 7:00 pm at the Brownsville Staybridge Suites for those participants who have arrived (pre-flight briefing location to be confirmed). The group will meet at Southmost Aviation on Saturday, at 7:30 am for a final trip review and briefing.
Day 1 Saturday |
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Leave from Brownsville, TX to Veracruz International Airport by flying along the coastline over miles of virgin beaches. Refuel, clear customs and immigration and process entry permits upon arrival. Transfer to hotel and check in.
Group Activity: Late afternoon tour of the historic city of Veracruz. Dinner will be at hotel. Pre-flight briefing for flight to Campeche.
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Meals Included: Lunch will be a box lunch and Dinner |
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Day 2 Sunday |
Early departure from Veracruz International Airport to Campeche. Refuel upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Lunch will be on your own. We recommend taking a stroll through the streets of this unique colonial city, taking a city tour in the afternoon or visiting the bastions and forts that surround the old walled city.
Group Activity: Regroup before dinner at hotel lobby and get ready to experience the traditional gastronomy at one of Campeche’s finest restaurants.
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Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner |
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Day 3 Monday |
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Explore the area surrounding the city of Campeche, rich in colonial and Mayan history.
Group Activity: Day trip to the Mayan archaeological site of Edzná where you can re-live pre-colonial history. After tourin the archeological site we will enjoy a typical lunch to experience the local gastronomy.
Reconvene before dinner to review the flight plan to Holbox the next day. Dinner is on your own so that you may explore the city of Campeche by night.
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Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch |
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Day 4 Tuesday |
Early departure for Holbox island via the coastline to get a bird’s eye view of the Natural Biosphere Reserves of Los Petenes, Celestun and Ria Lagartos, and along the Esmeralda Coast to Holbox. Those participants who prefer not to land at the Holbox Island Airport can land at the Cancun International Airport. We will arrange the ground or air transportation from Cancun to Holbox Island (for an additional fee). Upon arriving in Holbox, transfer to hotel, check in and meet for welcome lunch. Relax the rest of the afternoon, or explore the island on your own and reconvene for dinner at hotel.
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Meals Included: ALL |
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Day 5 Wednesday |
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Wake up and enjoy a beautiful island morning on the shores of Holbox.
Group Activity: The highlight of the trip! Get up early to embark on the whale shark adventure. Sandwiches, fruit and soft drinks will be available during the tour. We will return to the island in the afternoon and meet for dinner in the evening.
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Meals Included: Continental Breakfast and Dinner. (Light lunch on the boat) |
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Day 6 Thursday |
Explore the island on your own. Rent a golf cart, take a stroll on the mile long beach or just relax at the hotel.
Group Activity: An optional half day tour to a fresh water spring and Isla Pájaros (translated: Bird Island) will be available in the morning. We will have a “Holbox specialty” lunch in town. We will regroup before dinner at the hotel for the pre-flight briefing followed by a farewell dinner.
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Meals Included: ALL (Continental Breakfast) |
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Day 7 Friday |
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Group Activity: Morning departure for Veracruz via a fuel stop in Merida where we will have a quick box lunch. Participants that left their aircraft in Cancun will need to leave early in the morning. Upon arrival in Veracruz we will refuel and transfer to the hotel. We will have a pre-flight briefing and dinner at the hotel. |
Meals Included: Breakfast, box lunch and Dinner |
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Day 8 Saturday |
Transfer to Veracruz International Airport and return to Brownsville, Texas. |
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Meals Included: Breakfast |
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