The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
– Jacques Yves Cousteau
About Us
Kaxaan Nautical Foundation
Inspire nautical conservancy and sustainability through exploration, discovery and community engagement.
The Kaxaan Nautical Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 2020. Kaxaan organizes and participates in expeditions with leading international marine archaeologists to uncover historically significant nautical sites that deserve discovery, exploration, and attention but for which there is a lack of resources. What makes Kaxaan unique is its partnership with the local coastal communities during these expeditions to create long-lasting relationships.
Our main objective is to bring awareness and educate the village/town about the nautical heritage in their midst and inspire the local community to assume the role of custodians of these sites and guarantee site preservation through sustainable practices.
Our Name
Kaxaan (or Kaxan) is a Yucatec Maya word meaning to explore, to find, to locate.
The Kaxaan Nautical Foundation’s roots go back to explorations around the Yucatan Peninsula and its first formal expedition off the coast of Quintana Roo. The word kaxaan aptly describes aspects of our mission to explore and discover but also signals our acknowledgement that the territories and waters we explore served as sites of meeting, exchange, and sustenance for indigenous peoples for millennia.
We remember and respect their connection to these territories and waters and pledge to work with local communities to inspire conservancy and sustainability so that the cultural patrimony therein may be enjoyed by future generations.
Logo Origin
Kaxaan from the Maya word meaning to explore.