If going to the beach or deep sea fishing just isn’t close enough for you- grab a snorkel and get face to face with some of the most unique species this planet has to offer. Take a trip down to Isla Mujeres in Mexico, just 9 miles offshore of a popular tourist destination, Cancun, Mexico. Known for its jewel-like, turquoise waters, your snorkeling experience here will fall nothing short of breath-taking as you dive below the surface and interact with the wildlife here.

In the summer months, the waters are densely populated with the spawn on bonito tuna, which have a weight ranging from 1 pound to up to 25 pounds.

These tuna are the meal of choice for whale sharks in the area. Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish and can be up to 41.5 feet long. The best way to navigate these areas is with the guidance of local tour operators who can get you and your fellow snorkelers dropped right in the path of these fish and for the longest encounters possible for a memorable experience.

Upping the magical quality of your snorkeling excursion in Isla Mujeres are the two underwater statue parks that contain over 500 life-size sculptures in water of depths ranging from 12 to 20 feet of water. The sculptures are fixed to a seabed and are made from special materials that promote coral life.

This contemporary museum of art (formed in 2009) was founded by Roberto Díaz Abraham, former President of the Cancun Nautical Association and Jaime González Cano, Director of the National Marine Park. You can “visit” the museum either by snorkeling or riding in a special glass bottom boat that lets you explore the depths of the ocean without dipping a toe in the water!