Kab Xok Cooperative Receives the Sustainable Tourism Award
- Cris Lopez
The Maestros del Mar of the Kab Xok Cooperative were honored in the Sustainable Tourism category at the Municipal Tourism Awards “Sirenas del Paraíso 2025”, a recognition that marks a historic milestone for Isla Mujeres and for all those who have committed to a more humane, responsible tourism model aligned with the conservation of the marine environment.
Organized by the Municipal Government of Isla Mujeres, led by Mayor Atenea Gómez Ricalde, the awards celebrated their first edition on December 9, 2025, recognizing individuals, businesses, and projects that contribute positively to the destination’s economic, social, and environmental development. A total of 12 categories were presented, honoring both tourism pioneers on the island and innovative initiatives that are redefining the future of the sector.
The Kab Xok Cooperative was nominated and awarded for its Shark Safari activity, an open-ocean shark snorkeling experience that has become a benchmark for sustainable tourism in the Mexican Caribbean. Conducted in the waters of Isla Mujeres, this activity allows visitors from around the world to interact respectfully with pelagic species, while promoting environmental education, citizen science, and the conservation of sharks—key species for maintaining ocean balance.
What makes Kab Xok’s Shark Safari unique is not only the in-water experience, but also the conservation model that supports it: the Fundación Saving Our Sharks and its Iniciativa Tiburón Isla Mujeres.
Since 2021, the Foundation has guided and trained shark fishers through their transition from fishing to conservation, supporting them in a profound transformation after generations dedicated to extractive practices. Through this process, the Maestros del Mar of the Kab Xok Cooperative chose to redefine their relationship with the ocean and become its guardians.
Today, these Maestros del Mar are guides, protectors, and ambassadors of marine conservation, demonstrating that meaningful change is possible when local knowledge is combined with science and environmental education.
Thanks to the joint efforts of the Fundación Saving Our Sharks and the Cooperativa Kab Xok, the Mexican Caribbean is showing clear signs of recovery in shark populations, reflected in a notable increase in sightings recorded in the region throughout 2025.
The “Sirenas del Paraíso 2025” Awards seek precisely to highlight stories like this: projects that generate income, strengthen the social fabric, and at the same time protect the natural heritage of Isla Mujeres. In this sense, the recognition of Kab Xok represents far more than an award; it is a validation of a tourism model that places people and nature at the center of decision-making.
This award also reinforces the municipal government’s vision of positioning Isla Mujeres as a leading sustainable tourism destination, where authentic experiences, environmental conservation, and community well-being go hand in hand.
With its Shark Safari, the Kab Xok Cooperative stands as a clear example of how tourism can be a powerful tool for positive transformation.
