Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

There are few swims around the world that are as tropically beautiful and challenging as El Cruce (see more here).

Rafa Hernández has really made El Cruce special. The annual event held in April attracts nearly 800 competitors from 15 to 70 years to its 9.5 km sea swim from Cancún to Isla Mujeres where the athletes swim over the only Cancún Underwater Museum.

Photos courtesy of race director Rafa Hernández.

Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association