Snorkeling with whale sharks. Wading through algae mud. Swimming in brown tide. Determining nitrate levels. Rescuing turtles from sargassum. Taking water samples. I experienced all this and much more in August and September during my field research on Isla Mujeres, in Puerto Morelos and Akumal. I came back with more than full field diaries and numerous interviews – and I would like to thank everyone who opened their doors to me. The hospitality and helpfulness were impressive.