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General Overview
7 Days/6 nights
Departs from Key West, FL on Sunday
Returns to Key West, FL on Saturday
Trip limited to a maximum of 15 aircraft
Minimum number of aircraft required for tour: 5
Experience the thrill of a lifetime when you snorkel alongside a whale shark, the largest living fish! Our adventure takes us to the quaint island of Holbox located at the very northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula where every year whale sharks, manta rays and dolphin congregate in large numbers northeast of the island. Although whale sharks resemble their toothed cousins, they are filter feeding fish that eat plankton, krill and small nektonic life. Reaching lengths of over 50 ft, whale sharks are very docile and come right up to the surface making it possible to snorkel alongside and admire their size and beauty.
During our stay on Holbox island we will also explore the mysterious Yalahau lagoon, a legendary fresh water spring and watch flamingos and other bird species. We will then fly to the island of Cozumel to celebrate 4th of July with a special dinner. Enjoy the beach, snorkeling and watersports. From Cozumel we will make a day trip and fly to the famous archeological site of Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World…
Price: |
USD$350 Airplane registration (non-refundable) |
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USD$2,250 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 through the U.S. ADIZ, Cuban FIR and Mexican FIR’s. Life jackets and life rafts for the aircraft are required for this trip. These may be purchased or rented prior to your trip from a number of FBO’s or Pilot Shops. Visit the LINKS page of the CST website or call us for more information. 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 alternate air or ground 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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Key West to Cancun |
359 NM |
Cancun to Holbox Island |
69 NM |
Holbox Island to Cozumel |
66 NM |
Cozumel to Chichen Itza to Cozumel |
172 NM |
Cozumel to Key West |
375 NM |
Total distance: |
1,041 NM |
Longest over-water leg: |
375 NM |
Charts required: |
DOD IFR charts L1/L2 and L3/T3 (included) |
Airports of landing |
ICAO Identifier |
IATA Identifier |
Runway length |
Key West |
KEYW |
EYW |
4,801 FT |
Cancun |
MMUN |
CUN |
11,483 FT |
Holbox Island |
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HOL |
2,100 FT (Dirt) |
Cozumel |
MMCZ |
CZM |
8,858 FT |
Chichen Itza |
MMCT |
CZA |
9,186 FT |
Itinerary
Caribbean Sky Tours’ (CST) Whale Shark 2 Fly-In departs from Key West, FL on Sunday and returns to Key West 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 on Saturday at 7:00 pm at the Best Western Key Ambassador Resort Inn for those participants who have arrived (pre-flight briefing location to be confirmed). The group will meet at the Key West airport FBO (Island City Flying Service) on Sunday at 7:30 am for a final trip review and briefing.
Day 1 Saturday |
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Leave from Key West, Florida to Cancun International Airport. Refuel, clear customs and immigration and depart for the Holbox Island Airport. We will follow the coastline to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy and miles of untouched beaches along the Esmeralda Coast. Participants who prefer not to land at the Holbox Island Airport can select optional ground or air transportation to Holbox Island (for an additional fee). Participants who select optional transportation to Holbox Island will leave their aircraft at the Cancun International Airport. Upon arrival at Holbox we will transfer to the hotel, check in and gather for a welcome lunch at the hotel. Relax in the afternoon or tour the island on your own. Reconvene for dinner at hotel.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.
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Day 2 Monday |
Group Activity: The Whale Shark adventure begins! We will depart Holbox Island early in the morning in chartered boats to search for, and swim with whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. Snorkeling equipment will be provided for those who don’t have their own. A light lunch will be served on board the boats consisting of fruit, sandwiches and beverages. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Meals Included:: All (Continental Breakfast).
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Day 3 Tuesday |
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Group Activity: Explore the Yalahau lagoon by boat. We will depart around 8:00 am by boat and travel to the “ojo de agua”, a natural fresh water spring used by the Mayans where you can swim and enjoy the cool fresh water. We will also visit “Isla Pajaros” where flamingos and numerous other bird species congregate. We will have an in town specialty lunch upon returning from our Yalahau tour. Explore the island in the afternoon or relax on the beach or at the pool. Reconvene before dinner at hotel to review the flight plan for the flight to Cozumel the next day, followed by a special dinner.
Meals Included: All (Continental Breakfast). |
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Day 4 Wednesday |
We will depart Holbox Island for Cozumel in the morning. Participants who chose the ground transportation or air taxi option, need to get an early start to the Cancun International Airport. Afternoon in Cozumel at leisure. Reconvene for dinner at hotel and flight briefing for Chichen Itza day trip the next day.
Meals Included: ALL. |
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Day 5 Thursday |
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Group Activity: Day trip: Chichen Itza Flying Tour. Leaving the hotel early in the morning to get to Chichen before the crowds. Tour the famous archaeological site and have lunch at a cenote before returning to Cozumel in the afternoon.
Meals Included: All. |
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Day 6 Friday |
A relaxing day on the beach followed by a special evening dinner to celebrate the 4’th of July!.
Group Activity: Special dinner in the village of San Miguel de Cozumel (downtown Cozumel).
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner. |
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Day 7 Saturday |
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After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Cozumel International Airport and return to Key West, Florida.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
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