Captain Carmelo: Living History and Tourism in Holbox

Kantunilkin, Quintana Roo — At 81, Jose del Carmen Sabatini Gomez, known across the Mexican Caribbean as Captain Carmelo, remains a true emblem of Quintana Roo. Born and raised on the island, he still takes his boat out every day to offer tourist services in Holbox, taking visitors to swim with whale sharks, go recreational fishing, or simply admire the coastline.

Born on January 11, 1945, the eighth of ten children, the seasoned sailor holds in his memory the secrets of a territory that has changed radically but retains its untamed essence in the face of nature.

Water and Dunes According to Captain Carmelo

For Captain Carmelo, climate phenomena and flooding are nothing new but part of the geography itself. “We are at sea level; if we were a meter higher, there would be applause; half a meter is enough. So the water comes in from the sea and goes out over there, and if it comes in from the Yalahau lagoon, it goes out over here,” he explains with the wisdom of decades of observation.

Sabatini Gomez notes that Holbox has no hills or mountains. However, he highlights the presence of a low dune that acts as a natural barrier similar to reefs. When hurricanes hit the region, large waves first strike these white sand dunes, causing the impact to reach the beach much weaker and gentler.

Anecdotes from the Past: The Stingray Sting and Doctor Macias

Holbox’s history is also made of difficult moments eased by local camaraderie. Captain Carmelo recalls with humor an anecdote from the 1970s, when he had to be treated by the first doctor to arrive on the island, the late Rogelio Macias, after suffering the unbearable pain of a stingray sting.

“He came and gave me an injection, I was writhing in pain. He was a buddy and said, ‘Carmito, don’t mess with me.’ I replied, ‘Why don’t they sting you so you can see how much sugar the candy has?’ My father scolded me for talking to him like that, but in the end he injected an antidote,” he recounts with laughter, evoking the close relationship among the few inhabitants of that time.

The Island’s Evolution Through the Eyes of a Legend

Contrasting the last century with the present, Captain Carmelo stands as a living witness to the transformation and tourism development of the region. The veteran boatman takes the opportunity to thank local and state authorities for the works and support given to the island and its inhabitants, recalling the severe shortages of the past.

“In the old days, there wasn’t even a road to get to Valladolid, because Kantunilkin didn’t even exist. There were no motors, everything was done by ‘leveraging.’ All we had was what the sea and migratory birds gave us,” concludes Captain Carmelo with nostalgia, making it clear that although times have changed, his love for the sea of Holbox remains intact.