HolboXtreme - Holbox, Quintana Roo

Kyllan Gilmore

Even as a small shop, this is by far one of the best adventure tour / aquatic sports companies I've booked with, and I have experience both as a participant and guide with a LOT of them all over the world. With time to kill in Holbox, I was able to try all the available tours. All are fantastic and well worth the money.

First, as anyone who has experience with these companies knows, what sets good ones apart from the rest isn't just the spectacular locations and fun activities available (although this company has all of that), but the guides who take you to those locations to do those activities. In this, the company's lead guide, David, stands above the rest. While the owner is responsive and helpful, David is clearly the one on the island running the show and he's proof that a small shop with the right people can provide better value and fun than the most established and well-funded companies. David is highly skilled at the activities he teaches and inspires immediate confidence in his ability to keep you safe while you enjoy your time - something that is hard to accomplish with aquatic activities like foiling (discussed below) that involve beginners playing with unfamiliar toys in changing winds and currents. Not only is it abundantly clear that David has the competence and experience to manage any risks that might arise, he has the reassuring and easygoing presence essential to being a successful outdoor guide and instructor. In addition, David has something in spades that so many guides lack; he is infectiously passionate and knowledgeable about the natural world in which he plays, and in a way that only one who complements his experiences with research and study can be. A day learning from David leaves you with more than great memories - his articulate and thoughtful observations and insights about the world will have you reflecting on the wonders of nature long after the tour is done. I have no doubt the other instructors who work with him are excellent, but if you get a chance to request David, you'll get far more than you bargained for.

As for the actual tours, the kayak tour is unreal, winding through three types of mangroves packed with birds and other wildlife. Flamingos feed in the area during the day (at least at this time of year), only to fly out at sunset every evening to congregate on the perfect beaches.

The biz has 16 and 17 foot racing catamarans that could not be more fun to cruise along the island coast. We did a two hour tour, flying at amazing speed down the shore to beach on punta mosquito for sunset and some beers as the flamingo's flew out of the mangroves to join us - a spectacular show worth planning your trip to Holbox around. The sailing tours are flexible in terms of routes and timing, and can go to many amazing places in the area that I unfortunately didn't have time to visit. If you do a night or bioluminescent tour, ask David to teach you about the constellations and their rotations.

Finally, I took the foiling class, which could not be more fun. Skip the overpriced and overrated Holbox kite boarding school run by a much lamer company on the island, and go try it out. I read beforehand that foiling felt like flying over the water, and that is a very accurate, yet inadequate, description. The parallel winds along the shallow, sandy coast provide the perfect leaning conditions, and it's surprising how quickly one can pick it up with the right instructor. If you only have time to do one thing with HolboxXtreme, try the foiling!

There's a million fun things to do in and around Hollbox, but if you want to experience the natural beauty the island has to offer in a way that will guarantee you have a blast and want to return as soon as possible, go with these guys. Full stop.

Eleftherios Mylonakis

I wish I could write a better review. We booked due to the high ratings but unfortunately, our sunset kayaking tour encountered multiple issues due to the guide's inattentiveness. We faced a moment where our kayak got stuck in the sand, and despite our struggle, Diego, our guide, remained too far ahead to even notice promptly. Moreover, we were rushed back leaving us paddling hastily to arrive before getting dark, constantly chasing after the guide.

We also wish we had some info about the fauna and fiona of the area which was one of the main reasons why we paid for the tour based on the reviews we had read. We certainly didn't get any introduction and it was also impossible to ask any questions about it because our guide was constantly very very far away ahead.

Having said that, the natural beauty of the mangrove channels and all the animals we encountered were truly beautiful so we'd recommend going. Just with another guide.

Improved guide attentiveness and better time management would significantly enhance the quality of future tours.

Firas Chamas

Wow what a great experience on the kayak tour with Alberto! He's very knowledgable of the area and the biodiversity around. The tour through the mangroves was just beautiful! We managed to see a crocodile, flamingos, and all kinds of beautiful birds and fish. I would definitely recommend the tour to anyone visiting the island. Thanks Alberto!

Veronika Olsarova

Really nice experience. We saw crocodiles, flamingos, pelicans & a lots of other birds. Thank you Alberto!

sean aelbrecht

We did a kayak tour with our guide David. Had the fortune that no other people booked together with us, therefore we had a private tour.

David explained everything with a lot of passion and interest in the nature in and around Holbox. With respect for all living things and in very good English!

It was a real pleasure getting to spend the 3 hours on the water, watching for wildlife and paddling in the quiet rivers between the mangroves. A nice change of pace to escape some tourism and see a real part of the island.

Divya Jain

Awesome tour, we saw around 6 crocodiles and few of them were very close. Saw multiple birds and couple of flamingoes as well. Alberto took time to explain things in both Spanish and English, given our group was a mix. The tour has beautiful views and gave us enough time to relax and see things around. He provided us with water and cookie and also gave recommendations of restaurants around. Will definitely recommend the tour.

PS: Alberto did mention earlier that this is a quiet tour just so that you can listen to water, birds, wind and all things around. Unfortunately our other group didn’t get the memo. Please don’t be that group and enjoy the nature.

Ben Martin

Alberto was excellent! We did a night kayaking bioluminescence tour, and he was very knowledgeable as well as laid back. He explained how the bioluminescence works and showed us a lot of constellations. I would highly recommend this tour if you're in Holbox. Thanks Alberto!

Martin J

By far my fav place, super chilled, top place to wind down