Dive Review of Rafael de la Parra/na in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Isla Mujers

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Rafael de la Parra/na: "Whale Sharks-north yucatan", Jul, 2021, by Harvey Monroe, NM, US ( Reviewer 6 reports). Report 11778.
Photos Submitted with this Report Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations	N/A	Food	N/A
Service and Attitude	N/A	Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation	N/A	Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This was the start of a 2 week trip down the Yuccatan this past summer as Covid travel restrictions began to ease with part of my adult family. My first time to this area in 20 years. This was my first chance to see Whale Sharks off northern Yucatan. It is a daylong snorkeling trip which is heavily visited during the summer shark season. Rafael de la Parra, is a marine biologist very knowledgeable and friendly and was very careful to explain acceptable behavior with the sharks Our trip left from near the Isla Mujers Ferry port with a stop to pick up people on Isla Mujers. The boat a medium sized panga with top was average for this area. The trip during calm seas probably 2 hrs but ours almost three hours in 6 ft swells. A number of the passengers did not handle the ride well. When arrived there were nearly 30 boats waiting turns to drop snorkelers in the anticipated path of the sharks. It was a circus, 6 foot swells with most of the people barely able to handle themselves in the water, some splashing right thru my path without any regard. This is sold to the general public as a shallow water snorkeling adventure but is really suitable for experienced snorkelers/divers during rougher seas. A strong swimmer can keep up with the sharks and leave the crowd in their wake. There were sharks that would lazily cruise thru the area. I saw 5 in my first immersion. An outstanding experience. The rest of the people in the water and the boat traffic not so special. Rafael was able to give everyone a chance to see the animals in the water. I would recommend the trip but watch for the sea-wave forecast if you have concerns for sea sickness or rough boat rides. Also research the different operations. A typical commercial tour mecca were locals that aren't environmentally aware is the norm. Isla Mujers is about an hour closer to the aggregation sites than Holbox. Next report...
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Most of Caribbean, Bahamas, FLorida, California, north to south, Baja, Sea of Cortez, Panama, Brazil, Argentina, Easter Island, French Polynesia, Hawaii...
Closest Airport	Cancun	Getting There	Rental car
Dive Conditions
Weather	dry	Seas	choppy, surge
Water Temp	82-°F / 28-°C	Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility	80-10 Ft/ 24-3 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	?
Enforced diving restrictions	open ocean snorkling
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	> 2
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals	N/A	Tropical Fish	N/A
Small Critters	N/A	Large Fish
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	NO dedicated camera table

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Dive Review of Rafael de la Parra/na in Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Isla Mujers

Rafael de la Parra/na: "Whale Sharks-north yucatan", Jul, 2021,

Photos Submitted with this Report

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Rafael de la Parra/na in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Isla Mujers