The flamingos and different native birds of Celestun may be seen on a kayaking journey by way of the mangroves. A kayak journey is a singular solution to see the pure fantastic thing about the Ría Celestun Biosphere Reserve. We toured the mangrove wetlands with a wonderful eco-tourism firm. The Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinitun is a corporation devoted to educating concerning the mangroves as a vital part of biodiversity.
The place is Celestun?
Celestun is a quiet seaside city positioned on the Gulf of Mexico on the west aspect of the Yucatán peninsula. The city is made well-known by its excursions to see the flamingos of the biosphere reserve in Celestun. Nonetheless, there’s far more for nature lovers than simply seeing flamingos in Celestun. On a kayak journey by way of the mangroves of Celestun, you’ll observe the native spectacular wildlife of the realm along with flamingo sightings.
Celestun is about 1.5 hours’ drive from Merida, the capital metropolis of the Yucatan state. You may organize a day tour to see the flamingos on the lagoon by utilizing an influence boat to motor close to them. I’ve taken this tour earlier than and it’s nice if you wish to see flocks of flamingos at a distance. Nonetheless, if you’d like a complete expertise of the wildlife of the reserve, I like to recommend the kayak tour.
Associated Put up -> Out of doors Adventures on the Yucatan Peninsula
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Logistics of Kayaking to See Flamingos in Celestun
For those who drive to Celestun and keep in a single day you’ll be able to catch the early morning tour to see the birds and wildlife. Every thing is far more energetic at daybreak, so an early begin is crucial.
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Lodging in Celestun
I’ve stayed at two totally different resorts on the seaside at Celestun. They’re easy, genuine Mexican resorts with beachfront facilities. The seaside at Celestun is a beautiful Gulf of Mexico crescent of golden sand. I’ve seen dolphins cavorting off the seaside and pelicans diving for meals. It’s value a keep in a single day in Celestun to benefit from the seafood eating places on the seaside and the superb sunsets. Plus, you’re only some minutes from the assembly place for the kayak tour when it begins early within the morning.
Lodge Gutierez has comfy, air-conditioned rooms with the seaside out the entrance door. There’s a terrace to chill out and watch the sunsets. The lodge restaurant is fabulous for a giant genuine Mexican breakfast after your tour.
Lodge San Julio additionally has beachfront lodging. The rooms are clear and have fridges. There are seaside loungers and shady palapas to benefit from the seaside. They provide a safe parking space.
You may’t miss by staying in both of those resorts on the beautiful seaside of Celestun.
Kayaking Tour by way of the Mangroves of Celestun to Discover Flamingos and Different Wildlife
The Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinitun are passionate concerning the nature of the Celestone ecosystem. They perceive the significance of the mangroves to a wholesome ecosystem. Their excursions by way of the mangroves are extremely instructional. Excursions begin in the dead of night, so kayakers can see probably the most wildlife because the solar rises.
The guides of this group are dedicated to eco-tourism by educating how crucial mangroves are to sustaining the pure steadiness of the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve. The mangroves additionally shield inhabited areas from the detrimental results of hurricanes by absorbing the storm surges. Moreover, the dense roots of mangrove crops stop erosion and sequester carbon to guard in opposition to local weather change. Lastly, mangrove forests function a nursery for wildlife as we have been in a position to witness on our kayaking tour.
Jose, the proprietor of the corporate, has been concerned with mangrove reforestation within the space for a few years. He hosts teams of kids, teenagers, and adults who come to assist with mangrove planting within the space of the tour. Jose believes that educating all ages concerning the mangroves will assist with conservation and safety.
Kayaking tour specifics
The tour started on the Guardians of the Mangroves basecamp which was a 5-minute drive from our lodge in Celestun. Excursions begin at 5:30 or 6 am. We met our information, Isaac, and have been briefed on the specifics of the journey. Isaac is a school pupil with a radical data of the surroundings. His pleasure about nature was evident each time he exclaimed “hey, have a look at that”. He loves birds and has a eager eye and ear for locating them. His tales of the wildlife we noticed helped us actually get to know every animal or chicken.
Our information Isaac gave us headlamps we used to seek out our method alongside the rickety boardwalks out to the boat launch. On the way in which to the kayaks, he defined concerning the mangroves’ significance and the totally different species.
On the finish of the boardwalk, we boarded the kayaks. It was simply getting mild as we began out within the kayaks. The sound of birds and the golden rays by way of the mangroves was a magical time. We noticed a wide range of birds, reminiscent of totally different sorts of herons, egrets, kingfishers, vultures, magnificent frigatebirds, and pelicans. My favourite was the Pygmy Kingfisher festooned in orange and inexperienced and never a lot greater than a hummingbird.
Simply because the solar rose, we reached an space referred to as the guts of the mangroves. The guts-shaped opening within the mangrove forest was alive with birds. As we glided on the coppery-colored water, a cacophony of chicken songs surrounded us.
Crocs and different wildlife of the kayak tour
After birdwatching for a bit within the coronary heart of the mangroves, we entered the channels once more to search for extra wildlife. We noticed a small crocodile and several other child crocodiles. The kayaks have been fairly near the crocs within the slender channel, nonetheless, Isaac assured us that we have been protected. The crocodile was too little to have us for breakfast.
Kayaking to See the Flamingos of Celestun
As we emerged from the mangrove channels to the Celestun estuary, we started seeing flocks of birds flying overhead. Big flocks of flamingos flew over wanting like flying pink sticks. We realized from Isaac that child flamingos are white when they’re born. They acquire their pink colour from consuming tiny crustaceans wealthy with carotenoids (the identical factor that provides carrots or tomatoes their colour). You may truly inform the age of a flamingo by how pink it’s.
After a brief paddle up the broad river with nice views of a tiger heron and egrets, we landed the boats on the shore. Nonetheless, it was low tide so it was an infinite mud flat. Isaac and one other information ended up lined in mud as they pulled us to shore. Afterward, we hiked alongside the path and boardwalks to an open lagoon full of birds.
We have been in a position to see teams of flamingos feeding. With our new data about how the shade of pink tells the flamingos’ age, we may guess how outdated the flamingos have been. We didn’t see the lots of of flamingos you see with the motorboat tour, however, we completely loved the entire wildlife expertise of this tour. We noticed loads of flamingos of their pure habitat.
The tour finishes with a tuk-tuk (bike taxi) trip again to the bottom camp. Ensure you stroll across the space once you return as a result of you possibly can see extra flamingos within the ponds close to the place to begin. It was fascinating to see flamingos shuffle their toes as they feed to fire up their meals.
Kayaks and prices of the tour
The kayaks are fiberglass doubles. The easy design and comfy seats make them good for navigating the channels by way of the mangroves. Additionally they supply canoes paddled by the information when you’d like to take a seat again and benefit from the surroundings. We paid 2400 MXD ($120) for 4 individuals in kayaks and for 600 MXD ($30) for an English-speaking information. We opted for the particular kayak journey, which was 2.5 hours. Additionally they supply a 1.5-hour journey for 1800 MXD ($90) in kayaks and 1700 MXD ($85) for a canoe for 4 individuals.
You may pay the deposit for the tour by PayPal and the remainder in money once you arrive.
Wrap Up of Kayaking to See the Flamingos and Wildlife of Celestun
The Yucatan Peninsula is chocked filled with wildlife and birds on each the land and the water. I’ve finished some superb kayaking journeys within the pure areas of the Yucatan. I’ve paddled the mangroves and open tidal bays of Sian Ka’an to see birds coming again to roost at night time on the islands. Then, I explored the freshwater of Lake Bacalar with its superb 7 colours and stromatolites by kayak. Unquestionably, kayaking the mangroves close to Celestun to see flamingos and different wildlife compares with these magnificent journeys.
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The tour with the Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinintun is a spotlight of any journey to the west coast of the Yucatan. Likewise, you’ll end the journey realizing that, in some small method, you’ve contributed to the safety of the mangroves of their function in stopping local weather change. To rearrange the kayak journey in Celestun, you possibly can electronic mail Jose at dzinitun@gmail.com.
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I used to be a visitor of the Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinintun on this journey. My opinions are my sincere evaluation of the expertise.
