Amazing Summer Experiences in Store
Will you be staying at Grand Residences during the summer? If so, you’ll want to spend some of your time in paradise exploring the wonders of the Mexican Caribbean and notching up your own amazing travel memories. Here are some ideas for your next trip.
Summer whale shark watching
From June to September, you’ll be able to have your own face-to-face encounter with the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark, true gentle giants.
Normally solitary, whale sharks gather in large numbers to feed in the Gulf of Mexico between Holbox and Cabo Catoche and in the Mexican Caribbean to the east of Isla Mujeres and Contoy during the summer. As many as 400 have been spotted on one day, the largest whale shark gathering in the world.
Soaring temperatures cause plankton blooms on the ocean surface and the filter feeding whale sharks lap up this nutrient rich soup. Whale shark researchers working in the area have also discovered that the whale shark is partial to fish eggs, and it is the bonito or little tunny spawning season in the summer.
Caribbean cruising
Hop on a catamaran or yacht and set sail for a day in the Caribbean big blue, slipping through crystal-clear waters in sparkling shades of turquoise, aqua and even indigo in the depths further from the coast. Whether you choose a cruise to Isla Mujeres or the island nature reserve of Contoy or along the Riviera Maya coast, your itinerary is likely to include a stop for snorkeling on the way, seafood for lunch and you may even catch a view of the sunset, the perfect end to a day in paradise.
Stargazing and bioluminescence in Holbox
Just off the coast of northern Quintana Roo, the island community of Holbox is one of the spots offering whale shark trips and you’ll see murals of the domino fish as local fishermen affectionately refer to it in the sandy streets. In addition to wildlife watching, fishing and enjoying the wide beaches and relaxed ambiance, you may even catch a glimpse of Holbox’s other natural spectacle during the summer nights, bioluminescence.
Minute marine organisms emitting bioluminescence wash up in the shallows along the shoreline and as there is very little artificial light, you’ll see flashes and shimmers on the waves. The stargazing is incredible, silence reigns and you may even witness a sea turtle laying its eggs.
Snorkeling time
The reefs shadowing the Mexican Caribbean coast are part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the world’s second longest coral reef system and wherever you go, from Cancun and Puerto Morelos to Akumal, Xel-Ha and Cozumel, you’ll find plenty of snorkeling spots on shallow water reefs and caletas or sheltered inlets.
Dive in and you’ll soon see fish of all shapes and sizes in a dazzling kaleidoscope of colors. Queen angelfish sail regally by in pairs, blue tangs, yellow striped grunts, jacks and pork fish gather around the reef crest in a shimmering cloud of scales and rainbow parrotfish nibble algae on the reef (you’ll even be able to hear them munching away). Tiny sergeant majors, neon wrasses, squirrel and butterfly fish defend their territory in the coral gardens and sea turtles and rays swim past.
Ask your Concierge for assistance in booking summer trips and for more vacation sightseeing recommendations.
