General Water Safety

Offshore tours can involve chop, current, and long boat rides. Take seasickness prevention seriously.
Use flotation if you are not a confident swimmer and follow the guide's instructions.
For any diving outside protected lagoons, carry a surface marker buoy and stay aware of boat traffic.

Whale Shark Interaction Basics (mexico)

Follow the operator briefing and federal standards (NOM-171-SEMARNAT-2018) for approach and behavior.
Do not touch or block the animal's path.
Enter and exit the water only when instructed and keep group spacing disciplined.

Holbox has basic medical clinics and pharmacies, but it is not a full-service hospital environment.

For serious illness or injury, expect transfer to the mainland and likely onward to Cancun-area hospitals.
Divers should plan for evacuation logistics and carry dive accident insurance (such as DAN), especially if combining Holbox with reef or cenote diving.

General Water Safety

Offshore tours can involve chop, current, and long boat rides. Take seasickness prevention seriously.
Use flotation if you are not a confident swimmer and follow the guide's instructions.
For any diving outside protected lagoons, carry a surface marker buoy and stay aware of boat traffic.

Whale Shark Interaction Basics (mexico)

Follow the operator briefing and federal standards (NOM-171-SEMARNAT-2018) for approach and behavior.
Do not touch or block the animal's path.
Enter and exit the water only when instructed and keep group spacing disciplined.

Holbox has basic medical clinics and pharmacies, but it is not a full-service hospital environment.

For serious illness or injury, expect transfer to the mainland and likely onward to Cancun-area hospitals.
Divers should plan for evacuation logistics and carry dive accident insurance (such as DAN), especially if combining Holbox with reef or cenote diving.

June to November is the Atlantic hurricane season. Even without a direct storm, fast squalls can cancel whale shark trips and ferries. Build buffer time and keep travel days flexible.

Cold fronts can bring 25 km/h winds and rougher sea state, especially for offshore tours. Choose lagoon activities and keep a backup plan.

There is little shade on sandbars and boats. Wear a rashguard, reapply reef-friendly sunscreen, and carry more water than you think you need.

Bring strong insect repellent and consider long sleeves for evening meals, especially in humid months and after rains.

Yum Balam Protected Area

Stay on marked trails and follow protected area staff guidance.
Do not disturb wildlife.
Remove your garbage and do not light bonfires.
Do not use sunscreen to enter cenotes when prohibited by local rules.

Tiburon Ballena Biosphere Reserve

Use authorized operators and follow all briefings.
Do not introduce plastics and do not fly drones (as listed in CONANP visitor regulations).
Use biodegradable and reef-friendly sunscreens.

Why This Matters

Holbox's value is its protected ecosystems: mangroves, lagoons, and seasonal pelagics. Your choices (operators, sunscreen, trash, wildlife distance) directly affect the sustainability of these experiences.

Contacto	Rol	Teléfono	Disponibilidad
Emergency Services Mexico	Police, fire, ambulance	911	24/7
Tourist Assistance Mexico	Tourism information and assistance	079	Varies
CONANP Yum Balam	Protected area office	+52 (984) 87-500-73	Business hours
CONANP Tiburon Ballena	Protected area office	+52 (984) 8752191	Business hours

Isla Holbox

Seguridad y conservación

Riesgos principales

Seguridad de buceo

General Water Safety

Whale Shark Interaction Basics (mexico)

Seguridad en snorkel y apnea

Seguridad y conservación

Riesgos principales

Seguridad de buceo

General Water Safety

Whale Shark Interaction Basics (mexico)

Seguridad en snorkel y apnea

Vida marina y áreas protegidas

Yum Balam Protected Area

Tiburon Ballena Biosphere Reserve

Why This Matters

Contactos de emergencia