Under the expert guidance of world renowned photographer & our Explorer In Residence Amos Nachoum, learn the secrets to nature & marine photography, as well as have the chance to interact with one of the rarest animals on earth.

Amos’s photos & films have been showcased in National Geographic, Discovery, BBC Wildlife, Time, Life, The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler & more.

Experience Cancun and the area including a private tour of the Chichen Itza. On this expedition, you’ll have a front-row seat for one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena in all the oceans of the world - up to 100 sailfish working together to corral their prey into bait balls, and then making the bait ball disappear, one sardine at a time.

The sailfish can be found in warm waters worldwide, but it was only after expedition leader Amos Nachoum observed them in Brazil, Venezuela, Ghana, New Zealand, Australia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, that everything came together at Mexico's Isla Mujeres: clear blue water, beautiful setting, great support for diving, one of the best sportfishing skippers in the Caribbean (with a boat converted for diving), and a very dynamic, cooperative hunt among the Caribbean sailfish population. The sailfish is a remarkable fish. It may be the fastest in the ocean, having been clocked swimming at 70 mph. Its legendary leaps out of the water along with a unique dorsal fin that runs the entire length of its back, which it can raise or lower just like a sail, make it an aquatic marvel worthy on this unique photographic adventure.

The Isla de Cancún, made up of some of Mexico’s most expensive beachfronts occupies the northeast tip of the Yucatán. The Punta, or point of the island, is nestled between the Bahía de Mujeres (Bay of Women) and the Caribbean Sea and boasts some of the best areas for sunbathing on the Peninsula. Although the beaches of Cancún are known for their powder white sand and exquisite beauty, the waters along the east edge of the island are subject to strong undertow and should be treated with caution.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.

The Hyatt Regency Cancun hotel is located in Punta Cancun, right on the Caribbean Sea and just steps away from the best beaches, shopping, restaurants and nightlife in Cancun, Mexico. A 5 star luxury hotel in Cancun, Hyatt Regency Cancun enjoys a unique seafront location on the tip of the peninsula.

Overnight at Hyatt Regency Cancun.

Experience the wonders of the ruins at Chichen Itza on a private guided tour. Chichen Itza was a major regional center in the northern Maya lowlands from the Late Classic through the Terminal Classic and into the early portion of the Early Postclassic period. The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, from what is called “Mexicanized” and reminiscent of styles seen in central Mexico to the Puuc style found among the Puuc Maya of the northern lowlands. The presence of central Mexican styles was once thought to have been representative of direct migration or even conquest from central Mexico, but most contemporary interpretations view the presence of these non-Maya styles more as the result of cultural diffusion. Archaeological data, such as evidence of burning at a number of important structures and architectural complexes, suggest that Chichen Itza's collapse was violent. Following the decline of Chichen Itza's hegemony, regional power in the Yucatán shifted to a new center at Mayapan. The ruins of Chichen Itza are federal property, and the site’s stewardship is maintained by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Overnight at Hyatt Regency Cancun.

Meet your driver for a shared transfer to the port.

Welcome to Cancun!

Your transportation from the airport to the ferry has been pre-arranged. The ferry ride takes about 15 minutes from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. Upon arrival, take a taxi to the Hotel Playa la Media Luna, about 5 minutes away. Here your full expedition team will meet in the late afternoon with the skipper and review logistics.

Together with Kensington Tours, world renowned photographer Amos Nachoum’s expeditions take him and a small group of exclusive travelers throughout the world to observe, photograph, and revere the most magnificent creatures on the planet. He has led multiple many high-profile National Geographic expedition teams, including National Geographic’s Red Sea, Great White Shark, and Killer Whale photo expeditions. Amos’s photos and essays have appeared in hundreds of publications around the globe, including National Geographic, Time, Life, The New York Times, and many more.

Under the expert guidance of Amos, learn the secrets to spellbinding wildlife photography, as well as have the chance to interact with some of the most exciting animals on the planet — great white sharks, polar bears, blue whales, sailfish, snow leopards, the sardine run and more — Amos will help you capture their true essence in the most spectacular wildlife photographs you’ll ever take.

The quiet and beautiful Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*) is an intimate beach hotel with a very casual atmosphere, all decorated in soft colors with traditional Mexican style, an air conditioned breakfast area with a small living room equipped with television and high speed wireless internet service. The hotel also provides spa services, beach pool bar with wooden deck and ocean front view. Playa Media Luna offers you the most comfortable oceanfront accommodations on the quaint and secluded "Half Moon Beach".

Overnight at Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*).

Today and each of the following 6 mornings, your team will depart around 6:00am out on the 36 foot My Lilly sportfishing vessel captained by one of the most accomplished sportfishing skippers around, meaning he really knows how to find the fish. Working with Amos, and being open-minded enough to adapt his craft to our needs, we have at our disposal a perfect dive boat for finding and photographing sailfish. Suit up in snorkeling gear and prepare your cameras as the vessel heads between 10-30 miles offshore looking for frigatebirds hovering over the water, indicating a potential feeding-frenzy below the surface. Let the search begin!

Overnight at Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*).

Providing safe weather conditions, depart 6:00am in search of another hot spot for sailfish. The goal is to be prepared for the opportunity, because when it comes, the action is fast and unpredictable. Only four guests are invited on the trip, because otherwise, everyone would be in each other’s way when it’s time to go-go-go!

Overnight at Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*).

When we spot what looks like sailfish activity, the skipper will maneuver the vessel to give us the best position according to his estimated movement of the bait ball. Once the skipper gives the word, two guests plus Amos jump into the water, and swim as quickly as possible to get close to the action.

Overnight at Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*).

The sardine bait ball is moving, and the sailfish pack is chasing the bait ball. This is a very dynamic and fast-moving encounter. Sometimes we’ll be in the water five minutes and it will be all over, and sometimes, if we can stay with them and we’re positioned right, we’ll get 30 minutes to an hour observing the sailfish hunt. 

When one team returns to the vessel, the second team is ready and waiting for the skipper’s instructions. This is how each day proceeds. We’ll have lunch on board as well as water and soft drinks.

Overnight at Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*).

Sailfish are arguably the fastest fish in the ocean. Watch as they dart along, in and out of the sardine pack, snatching up an easy meal. The days end around 3 or 4pm — by that time the water becomes cloudy and is not as clear and blue as in the morning. On returning to shore, the team heads back to the hotel. With enough time on hand, and if you’re not too tired from swimming with sailfish, the charms of Isla Mujeres village life are there for you to enjoy. Some evening we will meet for sunset drinks on the beach and have dinner in town (not included).

Overnight at Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*).

On board the vessel there are four small scuba tanks, one for each person, plus a weight belt. Amos recommends swimming with no BC — all of the dives will be at 20 feet or less, and mostly at 10 feet. However, this means that each diver must be a strong enough swimmer to be able to stay afloat with camera and weight belt throughout the encounter until the vessel comes around to pick you up. Most of the encounters can be done with snorkeling gear only and no scuba gear at all.

Overnight at Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*).

Today is the team's final day out on the ocean, looking for the sailfish feeding experience. With any luck, the baitfish and sailfish will cooperate for a final blowout frenzy. Here's your last chance to capture an incredible photograph, and don't forget to have someone snap one of your group in the vessel! By around 3:30pm your skipper will bring the group back for a final night at your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Playa la Media Luna (3*).

Depart from the hotel according to your flight schedule back home. We’ll provide your transportation from the hotel to the ferry and from the ferry to the Cancun airport.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).