Riviera Maya & Tulum
Akumal: snorkel with sea turtles
Snorkel quietly beside green turtles grazing on the seagrass of Akumal Bay, a federally protected refuge.
Since 2016 the waters of Akumal Bay have been a federal refuge for the protection of species. It shelters three kinds of sea turtle (green, loggerhead and hawksbill) along with corals, mangroves and the seagrass meadows where the turtles come to feed.
Turtle snorkelling here follows the refuge's official protection programme. You swim only on a guided tour in a small group, wearing a life jacket, mask, snorkel and short fins, and you watch the turtles without touching, feeding or following them.
Pickup at your hotel in Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
Photos: Eden, Janine and Jim from New York City, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Stacy Hall, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- About 5 hours
- Guide language
- English · Spanish
- Pickup
- At your hotel in Riviera Maya & Tulum (other areas on request)
What's included
- Private transport with hotel pickup
- Guide
Not included
- Entrance fees, meals, equipment and boat: to be confirmed when we reply to your request
Sample itinerary
- 1Pickup at your hotel
- 2Drive to Akumal
- 3Briefing on the refuge rules and gear check
- 4Guided snorkel in the bay
- 5Return to your hotel
Good to know
Do I have to wear a life jacket?
Yes. The refuge's protection programme requires a life jacket (a waist float is not accepted), a mask, a snorkel and short fins. It also limits groups to six people per guide.
Can I touch or swim after the turtles?
No. Touching, feeding, chasing or disturbing the turtles is prohibited, and each sighting is limited to five minutes so the animals can feed in peace.
When does the snorkelling take place?
The official programme allows turtle snorkelling in daylight, between 09:00 and 17:00. It stops in strong wind or when the authority closes the bay.
