TORONTO — Sunwing has added Isla Holbox to its roster of vacation hotspots in Mexico.

Part of the Yum Balam Natural Reserve, and pronounced ‘ole-bosh’, Isla Holbox offers a pristine tropical haven away from the throng of more well-travelled tourist hotspots, says Sunwing.

With sandy-white beaches and a diverse and protected ecosystem, Isla Holbox is a popular island destination for bird watchers, snorkellers and beach lovers, notes the tour operator.

Along with a variety of land and water sports excursions available, travellers in the summer months can also opt to join a snorkeling or boat tour to view the annual migration of the whale sharks that takes place close to the island between June and September.

Sunwing has two properties on Isla Holbox and both offer complimentary kayaks and bikes as well as windsurfing, kite surfing and fishing for an additional fee.

The family-friendly and newly-built Villas HM Palapas Del Mar is a small, oceanfront hotel where guests can watch the sun set from an infinity pool overlooking the white, sandy beach. There’s also Villas HM Paraiso Del Mar. The tour operator is also offering twin centre packages where guests can enjoy a combined stay of four nights on the peaceful Isla Holbox, and three nights in Riviera Maya at Reef Coco Beach or the HM Playa del Carmen.

Sunwing is offering seven and 14 night packages to Isla Holbox (including twin centre options with Playa del Carmen) from seven gateways this coming season including:  Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Quebec City, Edmonton, Ottawa, and St John’s. All Isla Holbox vacations include onward land and ferry transfers from Cancun.

Until Sept. 6 Sunwing has regular Wednesday flights from Toronto to Cancun. Regular Monday flights run from Quebec City or Bagotville to Cancun until April 24. Clients looking to take advantage of the twin centre options will enjoy regular Monday flights from Toronto, Quebec and Montreal to Cancun until October.