Holbox, a small and slender island just north of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico, holds an interesting bioluminescence phenomenon. It is a paradise that you need to visit.
Barely touched island
Holbox Island has no cars, no paved roads, miles, and miles of pristine undeveloped beaches where bioluminescence occurs. It is still largely raw and undeveloped. Counts with a nice little town with restaurants, hotels, and everything else you need as a tourist.
Holbox popularity
It has been gaining popularity these days. Not only for its view of the sky upholstered by the brighter stars at night but for the bioluminescence. Lightning the sea, the fascinating sea sparkle or if you prefer it, noctiluca scintillans.
Bioluminescent plankton
The plankton causes this shinny phenomenon in the ocean. As it gets closer to the coast during certain period, it gets more noticeable. Mostly from July to January. In 2017, the peak of this microorganism season was on March 25th. However, we are not quite sure when is it taking a look around the Holbox Island next year.
Other microorganisms, bacteria, and more species can do the same amazing thing, usually to protect themselves from danger. However, we are really happy that this happens right here on our gorgeous island. It is a magnificent thing to see. Hundreds of locals and tourists head to Holbox at nights (20:30 hours more or less) to see these magnificent sparkling microorganisms for a complete hour. Amazing!
To get to Holbox Island, head to Chiquilá harbor and take the ferry.
Getting to Holbox
If you are going by car, you must take the highway to Merida, and then take the detour towards Kantunilkin continuing to Chiquilá harbor. It takes 2 hours to get there. You can also take a freeway but it can take about 4 hrs, and then less than 20 minutes on the ferry which costs around $150 pesos for a one-way ticket.
Start packing up because this special event will illuminate this amazing island. If you are traveling around Riviera Maya, you must not miss this for any reason!