Crocodile Diving Expedition

Banco Chinchorro, Mexico
ALL TRIPS CANCELLED

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THE ADVENTURE
We are traveling to Xcalak and Banco Chinchorro Island, Mexico for an Off the beaten path expedition to swim with American crocodiles, and we are inviting YOU to join us.

 Banco Chinchorro is a protected marine reserve with one of the largest aggregations of wild American crocodiles in the world. These encounters are special, and we feel extremely lucky that this amazing location exists for in-water experiences with these ancient reptiles -up-close and personal. 

These are chummed experiences. We use bait to keep the crocodiles interested in hanging around. The only bait we are allowed to use is lionfish. The lionfish are caught locally in the marine reserve. These fish are invasive and threaten Banco Chinchorro’s ecosystems, including the commercially and recreationally important fish that depend on them.

Before we feed them to the crocodiles, we cut the spines off the lionfish to ensure they are safe for the crocs to eat.

HOW THE CROCODILE DIVING STARTED
Banco Chinchorro is a protected Marine Reserve. The only people allowed to live here are the park rangers and the fishermen, who were living on this island before it became a reserve. So they got grandfathered in. Most of the fishermen live in stilt houses on the water.

After a day of fishing, the fishermen would return home and clean their catches, throwing the carcasses into the water. The crocodiles that live in the mangroves on the island learned they could get a free meal if they would hang out under their houses.

These stilt houses are where we stay when we visit Banco Chinchorro. It is a rustic camping-style living quarters, in a very picturesque setting.

The conditions here are the perfect place to set up a crocodile diving site.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY 

PAYMENT POLICY

  • A non-refundable deposit of $800 USD is required to reserve a space on SDM adventures.

  • 50% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 180 days prior to departure.

  • 100% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 90 days prior to departure.

  • A 4% surcharge is applied to payments made via credit card.

  • A 3% paypal surcharge is applied to payments made using paypal.

  • Payments can also be made via wire transfer. Just let us know and we will send you the bank transfer info.
    Please add $40 to cover bank fees.

  • Payments can be made by mailing a U.S. Check, or U.S. Money Order Payable to:

  • SDM adventures
    332 East 15th St.
    San Juan, Texas 78589

    CANCELLATION POLICY 

    All cancellations made more than 120 days prior to departure will receive refund (less an administrative fee of $800 USD per person). This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. However, if we manage to fill the trip after you cancel, we will apply the deposit towards any of our trips that you sign up for, during the following 12 months. If you cancel again during that period, you will lose the deposit.

  • Cancellations made (91 to 120), calendar days prior to departure, are assessed a cancellation fee of 50% of the entire trip price, (including extensions).

  • Cancellations made within 90 days of departure date will not be refunded, therefore we strongly recommend all guest purchase travel insurance.

  • All cancellations must be made in writing by mail or by email to sdm@sharkdivermag.com, - received and acknowledged by SDM Adventures.

  • We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

  • No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after an expedition begins.

  • We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.