Xcalak Reef Marine Park
Xcalak Reef Marine Park And What To Do In It
Having enjoyed protection from mass development largely because of restrictions in the building codes, as well as tightly-regulated permits for dive and tour operators, Xcalak has become one of the last truly undeveloped and unspoilt destinations on the Meso-American Barrier Reef System; the second largest in the world, it stretches from Cancún in the north to the Bay Islands in Honduras to the South.
The portion of the MBRS in front of Xcalak is also part of a vast, delicate and inter-connected eco-system that includes, besides de Barrier Reef, a system of rivers, lagoons and Chetumal Bay (the largest bay in Mexico) that makes this portion of the Reef particularly rich.
These inter-connected eco-systems also make the waters in, around and behind Xcalak a veritable playground for watersports enthusiasts, all experience levels of SCUBA Divers, as well as Fly-fishermen, kayakers, snorkelers, kite-surfers and everything in between.
Xcalak And Our XTC Company
The combination of everything the Xcalak offers plus access to Banco Chinchorro, Xcalak and XTC have become a must-visit place for both hardcore divers and fly-fishermen looking for the last frontier and novices who seek to learn or develop their craft in a pristine location away from the crowds.
Our sister company XTC (located on the same grounds) operates an award-winning PADI 5-Star Dive Resort that offers diving experiences and training from a Discover Scuba Diving Experience (try-dive) for complete novices, to entry-level Open Water Diver training
to the most advanced Technical diving using closed-circuit Rebreathers; up-to and including Instructor-level ratings. XTC´s dive operation offers a truly rare combination of world-class facilities, equipment and training in a remote, off-the-beaten track location.
With 6 dive boats and diverse, multi-cultural, multi-lingual staff XTC can accommodate divers of all skill-levels and interests. With dozens of unique and diverse dive sites that allow divers to encounter massive (300+ individuals) schools of Tarpon, manatees on the Reef, unique Coral formations, sheer drop-off walls for Technical divers truly offers something special for every diver.
Xcalak is at least as well-known for its fly-fishing as it is for its diving. Fly-fishing opportunities in Xcalak range from DIY fishing from shore for bonefish to flats fishing in the Bay for Permit and Snook. Xcalak is notorious for being one of the best places in the region to land a Grand-Slam.
XTC Fly Fishing works with local, experienced guides who will not only show you were the fish are but will also share their knowledge about how to fish them with custom-made flies and casting tips.
The Barrier Reef in Xcalak is located 200-300 meters (180-280 yards) from shore, creating a shallow (5-10 ft) Reef lagoon that is perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, SUP boarding and kite-surfing. XTC owns a fleet of both expedition kayaks for serious, long-range outings and sit-on-tops for afternoon/sunset paddles buy twitch followers. XTC also owns a fleet of Stand-up paddle boards perfect for morning yoga, or afternoon or evening paddle.
Sit on top kayaks and SUP´s can be used free-of-charge by Flying Cloud guests (after receiving a safety briefing from our staff) and guided trips are also available from XTC.
2, 3 and 5 hour snorkel and combination snorkeling and bird-watching trips from XTC´s boats can also be arranged for our guests in shared of private boats.
In short, there are countless options to experience the beauty of the Mesoamerican Reef in Xcalak for divers, fly-fishermen and watersports enthusiasts of every skill level, please ask us if you have any questions about our trips.
Besides our standard trips we are happy to organize custom trips on request.
We look forward to seeing you in Xcalak for some diving, fishing, digital de-toxing, star-gazing, a yoga session on our yoga deck or hammock swinging and enjoy the ultimate luxury; which is that of enriching experiences that feed the soul.
