Holbox Island is slowly becoming the whale sharks diving capital of Mexico.

Holbox Island or Isla Holbox is a 25km long island just northwest of Cancun. It is named after a small lagoon on the south side of the island which bottom is pitch black, hence its translation as 'black hole'. It is known as a quiet fishermen's island although tourism is catching up and some guesthouses and resorts are currently being built. The main town Holbox Village is a nice place to wander around, with very nice white beaches, relaxing cocktail bars, excellent fresh seafood dining and great sunbathing spots. You can easily reach it by the public ferry in Chiquila. The whole island has been included in the Yum Balam ecological reserve, making sure it is protected and maintained as a region as beautiful as this one should be. At Isla Pajaros or Bird Island and at shallow Laguna Yalahau, separating Holbox from the mainland, you will find flocks of pink flamingos, herons, pelicans and many other bird species.

Scuba divers will know this tropical paradise because of its whale shark encounters and emerald blue waters. Isla Holbox is readily starting to be the Mexican whale shark capital of Mexico. Although whale shark tours are the main event here, many dive operators in Cancun offer diving and snorkeling trips to swim with these magic creatures.

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