Bull Shark Aggregation on the Costa Maya, Mexican Caribbean

Dive with the ‘Jaguars of the Sea.” Each year, pregnant bull sharks return to the waters off Playa del Carmen before giving birth, creating a rare opportunity to dive alongside one of the ocean’s most powerful predators. This is more than a shark dive. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for experienced divers to come face to face with bull sharks while contributing to the science that will help protect them.

Working alongside local shark experts and Dr. Rachel Graham, you’ll use photography, videography, and cutting-edge monitoring techniques to document these magnificent animals. Your observations will help researchers better understand bull shark residency, migration, habitat use, and reproductive behavior. Expect adrenaline, respect, and an unforgettable encounter with an apex predator, while producing real citizen science that supports shark conservation.

Immerse yourself in the following scientific techniques:

• Species ID: Identifying marine megafauna, such as sharks, rays, turtles, and piscivorous fishes, is a crucial aspect of assessing the biodiversity of marine ecosystems. This involves recognizing various species through specific physical characteristics and behaviors, and provides vital data for conservation efforts. Accurate species identification helps scientists monitor population trends, understand ecological roles, and evaluate the health of marine habitats.

• Underwater Visual Surveys (UVCs): During our Bull Shark dives in Playa del Carmen, we will use photo and video to help identify species and individual Bull Sharks. We will also be involved in the collection and analysis of samples of Environmental DNA (eDNA). This data allows us to record Bull Sharks in the habitat, which slough skin and mucus unseen through general observation.

• Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUVs): These ingenious underwater camera traps offer a glimpse into the world hidden beneath the waves. They are a crucial element in the assessment of shark abundance, diversity, and distribution, alongside other mesmerizing marine species attracted to the bait. You will have the opportunity to set up and retrieve the cameras for data review.

• Transfer from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen and the Coco Cabanas Hotel. AGI Tours will have signs for guests. Transfers are included.

• Check into your room and relax.

• Pre-dinner meeting with snacks includes a bull shark discussion and field orientation by Dr. Rachel Graham and M.Sc. Ceci Gutierrez.

• 7 PM group dinner in Playa del Carmen.

Morning

• Breakfast at Coco Cabanas

• Travel to Playa Scuba

• Ensure all dive documents and equipment are in order and sized as needed. Nitrox Course Referral Review (optional). Briefing about the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve

• 2x2-tank dives on the reefs

Afternoon

• Return from diving and change at Playa Scuba

• 1:00 PM Lunch in Playa del Carmen

• Discussion about BRUVs

• 2:00 PM Head out on boats to deploy and collect BRUVs

• 5:00 PM Back in Playa del Carmen

Evening

• 5:30 Head back to the hotel to get cleaned up

• 6:30 Appetizers and drinks at Coco Cabanas

• Group Dinner

• Presentation and discussion about bull sharks, their anatomy, and the bull shark aggregation site we will visit tomorrow.

• Expeditioners will learn about the project, including its objective and main goals, information about our partners, and how they will help.

• PhotoID protocol will be reviewed. Instructions on how to take a photo/video for the ID Database and how to send the photos and videos for later analysis.

Morning

• 7:00-8:00 AM: Breakfast at Coco Cabanas. Safety Briefing

• 8:00 AM: Bull Shark Dive Briefing

• Travel to the Dive Center

• 9:00 AM: Check-in at the Dive Center

• Bull Shark Dive #1

• Reef Dive #3

Afternoon

• 1:00 PM: Back to Dive Center

• Lunch in Playa del Carmen

• 2::30 PM: Dive Center and BRUVs

• 5:00 Return to Dive Center

Evening

• Return to the hotel and get cleaned up

• 7:00 PM Cocktails and Dinner

• 8:00 PM Discuss the dives and review photos

Morning

• 7:00-8:00 AM: Breakfast at Coco Cabanas. Safety Briefing

• 8:00 AM: Bull Shark Dive Briefing

• Travel to the Dive Center

• 9:00 AM: Check-in at the Dive Center; 2x2 tank dives

• Bull Shark Dive #2

• Reef Dive #4

Afternoon

• 1:00 PM: Back to Dive Center

• Lunch in Playa del Carmen

• 2::30 PM: Dive Center and BRUVs

• 5:00 Return to Dive Center

Evening

• Return to the hotel and get cleaned up

• 7:00 PM Cocktails and Dinner

• 8:00 PM Discuss the dives and review photos

• Guests check out of the hotel and take their transfers to Cancun International Airport

• Guests catch their flights home (Must be after 2 PM for safety reasons)

From her early days growing up by the sea in Tunisia, Dr. Rachel Graham was drawn to research, conservation, and development across Latin America, Africa, and Micronesia. For over 30 years, she has worked with the private sector and organizations such as the United Nations, University of York, Smithsonian Institution, and Wildlife Conservation Society. In 2014, Rachel founded the international NGO MarAlliance to promote inclusive, grassroots science and marine conservation.

For over two decades, Rachel has lived in Belize and worked with fishers and partners in several countries to identify threats, research needs, and conservation opportunities for threatened marine wildlife and their critical habitats. Her work has driven megafauna research and conservation worldwide, and she actively serves on the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, co-founding several National Shark Advisory Committees to advance policy reform for elasmobranchs.

In recognition of her contributions, Rachel received the Whitley Fund for Nature Gold Award in 2011 and the Pew Marine Fellowship in 2021 for her shark research and conservation work. Rachel holds a BSc in Zoology from Oxford, an MSc from Edinburgh, and a PhD from the University of York, UK. She is especially proud of her two sons, who share her passion for fishing and marine conservation.

 Ceci is a professional diver who led the bull shark photo ID community science program in Playa del Carmen. She holds master's degrees in business and in natural resource management and sustainable development, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in environmental law to help build policies that protect sharks, rays, and other marine megafauna in the Mesoamerican Reef.