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Isla Mujeres
 Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Max Depth: 26-30ft/8-9m
Average Viz: 51-60ft/16-18m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand/Rock
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Summer: 66-70°F/19-21°C
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SAILFISHThe Caribbean’s version of South Africa’s famous sardine run plays out from January to March every year in the clear waters of Isla Mujeres off Mexico’s Yucatán as schooling sardines lure hungry Atlantic sailfish for a frenzied feast. Guides look for frigate birds dive-bombing a baitball, then it’s into the drink with a mask and snorkel to watch the swift hunters flash their iridescent stripes, corral the sardines, and home in for a piercing kill. The sardines are attracted to the plankton-rich waters, and it’s clear, when you see the sailfish in action, that their efforts are coordinated. While some individuals busy themselves corralling the pack of sardines and preventing an escape, other sailfish hunt closer to the surface. A more elegant predator — and a more eye-popping underwater sight — is hard to find, anywhere. MAKE IT HAPPEN: Squalo Adventures (squaloadventures.com) does sailfish dives January and February for $115 per person.