Mermaids of Paradise 2025 – Kab Xok Cooperative wins Sustainable Tourism Award
The Masters of the Sea from the Kab Xok Cooperative were awarded in the category Sustainable Tourism during the Municipal Tourism Award “Mermaids of Paradise 2025”, a recognition that marks a historic moment for Isla Mujeres and for those who have opted for a more humane, responsible tourism model aligned with the conservation of the marine environment.
This award, organized by the Municipal Government of Isla Mujeres headed by the mayor Atenea Gómez Ricalde, celebrated his First edition on December 9, 2025, recognizing individuals, companies, and projects that contribute positively to the economic, social, and environmental development of the destination. In total, the following awards were given: 12 categories, honoring both tourism pioneers on the island and innovative initiatives that are redefining the future of the sector.
Kab Xok Cooperative She was nominated and awarded thanks to her activity Shark Safari, A snorkeling experience with sharks in the open sea has become a benchmark for sustainable tourism in the Mexican Caribbean. This activity, held in the waters off Isla Mujeres, allows visitors from all over the world to interact respectfully with pelagic species, promoting environmental education, citizen science, and the conservation of sharks, key animals for the balance of the oceans.
What makes it unique Shark Safari by Kab Xok It's not just the experience on the water, but the conservation model that supports it: the Saving Our Sharks Foundation and his Isla Mujeres Shark Initiative.
Since 2021, the Foundation has guided and trained shark fishermen in their transition from fishing to conservation, supporting them through a profound change after generations dedicated to this extractive activity. Thus, the Masters of the Sea from the Kab Xok Cooperative They decided to transform their relationship with the ocean and become its guardians.
Today, these Masters of the Sea are guides, protectors and spokespeople for marine conservation, demonstrating that change is possible when local knowledge is combined with science and environmental education.
Thanks to the joint work of Saving Our Sharks Foundation and the Kab Xok Cooperative, The Mexican Caribbean shows clear signs of recovery in its shark populations, reflected in the remarkable increase in sightings recorded in the area during 2025.
The Prize “Mermaids of Paradise 2025” It seeks precisely to highlight these kinds of stories: 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 much more than an award; it is a validation of a tourism model that puts people and nature at the heart of its decisions.
This award also reinforces the municipal government's vision of consolidating Isla Mujeres as a leading sustainable tourism destination, where authentic experiences, environmental conservation, and community well-being go hand in hand.
The Kab Xok Cooperative, with its Shark Safari, is a clear example of how tourism can be a tool for positive transformation.
