Mexico · HOLBOX TOURS
No cars, sand streets and bioluminescence on the right dark night. These 15 trips cover the Yum Balam boat loops, the whale-shark season and the long day-trip versions from Cancún and the Riviera Maya.
Holbox Yum Balam Reserve classic boat tour: swim at Yalahau (optional), birdwatch on Passion Island, and visit Punta Mosquito sandbar.
“Very nice guide (Willy). Only four people on the boat. Saw flamingos and a lot of birds. Left early enough to be there before all the big boats arrive which was especially great at the cenote as we were there on our own :)”
Guided night snorkeling in Holbox’s glow plankton waters, with wetsuits, star spotting, and lunar-timed bioluminescence. Reschedule if it fails.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my trip with Alex as he was super friendly and fun to be around. He picked us up, made sure we understood the entire process, and even taught us plenty about ocean life and stars. I definitely recommend him to anyone wanting to experience the bioluminescence.”
Full-day Holbox tour with Yalahau cenote swim, sandbar time at Secret Beach, Isla Pasion beaches, plus lunch and pickup.
“The trip is quite long with different changes in transportation, but it’s totally worth it if you have to organise the logistic by yourself instead. Guides were good but not always precise but delivering the instructions and the logistic information. It would be have been great to have a little bit more of natural and cultural background information while touring.”
Holbox full-day trip from Playa del Carmen with pickup, Yum Balam bird-spotting boat ride, lunch with vegetarian option, and free time on Holbox.
“Guide was fab overall experience not great, when the boat moored at passion island, we were told to get out a stroll through the vegetation, which was full of mosquitoes. I personally had 50 bites in a minute. We should have been warned of this.”
Holbox night kayaking: paddle under stars, walk glowing sandbanks, and swim as plankton lights you up for 2 hours.
“Activity was brilliant - Victor was the best guide and really made the activity educational and enjoyable. It was a perfect starry night and although there was some light pollution from a fishing boat - Victor took some sheeting to block out the light to get the best view at one part - would highly recommend… but make sure you have mosquito repellent - absolutely essential even with it on - I did still get bitten - but that is the nature of the environment….”
Swim in small groups with Holbox whale sharks, plus manta rays, dolphins, turtles, snorkeling time, and fresh ceviche, guac, and mango on board.
“Willy was the best guide you can imagine. Born and raised on Holbox, he knows his way around and not only knows all about the whale sharks but can also tell you many other things about Holbox. Swimming with the whale sharks was simply a breathtaking experience, I would book the tour again at any time via V.I.P Holbox. Just because of the delicious ceviche we had for lunch. Highly recommended☺️”
Holbox night kayaking to a sandbank for bioluminescent plankton, stargazing, and an up-close glow show near Quintana Roo.
“It wasn’t really the right time of year to properly see the bioluminescence but we did see some sparkles. Unfortunately I’m not the greatest at kayaking and was paired with someone who chose not to do any work and so it took us a lot longer than necessary to get where we needed to. This isn’t the guide’s fault and so on the way home the two guides kayaked us back in their ones which was very nice of them.”
3-hour Holbox sunrise kayak through mangroves, paddle without a motor, spot birds and even crocodiles, with golf-cart pickup.
“Our guide Carlos was amazing and we had a great time on our tour! e saw flamingo's and loads of other birds, as well as one big crocodile!”
Full-day Holbox boat tour with lunch from Cancun or Puerto Morelos, including Secret Beach sandbars, cenote swimming, and island time.
“Kokonaisuus oli hyvä ja aikaa oli riittävästi eri kohteissa. Ruoka oli hyvää, mutta voisi mainita et ruokailu tapahtuu veneessä, sillä siinä voi tulla huono olo. Tekisin retken uudelleenkin”
Night kayaking in Holbox: clear stars, shooting-star chances, and a neon-blue plankton swim. Downtown pickup, 1.5 hours, $44.
“We were worried if the bioluminescence will be possible to see (because of the season), but it was ok and the whole experience was truly magical. Our guide was really experienced and we enjoyed the whole trip so much. Highly recommended.”
Kayak Holbox at night to see bioluminescent plankton glow in your wake, then stargaze. Hotel pickup included, 2 hours, $49.
“It's a beautiful show and Victor is a great guide”
Kayak into Holbox’s Kuká River at sunrise for birds, mangroves, and crocodiles, plus a snack break and hotel pickup.
“We had a great experience with a very knowledgable guide who clearly is passionate about nature and respecting the boundaries. We were treated to a stunning morning of weather including a torrential downpour that gave way to a beautiful rainbow over the sandbanks. A great way to see a part of the island many people won’t discover.”
Paddle a small-group sunset kayak on Holbox’s Kuká River, spotting mangroves, birds, and American crocodiles with local guides.
80 minutes on your own horse through Holbox mangroves and beach near Punta Siricote, in a small group with Victor.
“Amazing experience riding horses through mangroves and beaches in Isla Holbox. The horses seemed to be treated well with plenty of food and water.”
Holbox boat tour to Punta Mosquitos, Isla Pásion and Bird Island. Pelicans and flamingos, swimming and sandbank photos for $40.
“The booking said to be there 30 minutes before and so we were. It was hard to find the right tour and guide and they made us wait for an hour before leaving. Instead of leaving at 10 according to the programme, they chose to wait 30 minutes for some passengers who were late. So, 10 people waited half an hour for three who were late. We find that unacceptable. The guide was nice but he didn’t come ashore in the three stops so we got no explanations and so while ashore. He seemed knowing etc. but he didn’t do much guiding apart form steering the boat.”
Every kind of day out, and the best of each.
