Akumal Snorkeling Tour: Complete Guide for 2025

Thinking about taking an Akumal snorkeling tour in Mexico? You’re in the right place!

As a travel blogger that has lived in Playa del Carmen for many years, I can confidently say that the Akumal snorkeling tour is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in the region.

This incredible spot allows you to swim alongside wild sea turtles in their natural habitat, with sightings almost guaranteed just steps from the shore.

MY TOP PICK

⌚️ Don’t have time to read the full article?

The best Akumal snorkeling tour is this Half Day Sea Turtle & Cenote Snorkeling Tour with more than 1,100 5-star reviews!

In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the Akumal snorkeling tour, including the best tours to book, what to expect, and essential tips to enhance your experience.

Whether you’re wondering what to bring or how to make the most of your visit, this guide has you covered.

Let’s dive in and explore the magic of snorkeling in Akumal!

My top recommendation for the best Akumal snorkeling tour is this Half-Day Sea-Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling tour.

With over 1,100 5-star reviews, this is the top rated Akumal snorkeling tour that will take you to snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal, as well as a stop at an impressive underground cenote.

It also includes a certified guide that allows to reach the restricted areas in Akumal, as well as a light lunch.

Plus, round-trip transportation with pickup from hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Riviera Maya is included for a hassle-free trip!

I personally went on this tour and what I loved about it is that it’s a small group experience (max 12 people) and the guides were so knowledgeable and fun!

Plus, the company is committed to conservation so you can be sure you’re visiting responsibly and minimizing the impact on the turtles’ habitat.

Snorkeling in Akumal is one of the top things to do in Riviera Maya and a totally unforgettable tour experience.

Here’s what you need to know about Akumal:

Akumal is located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, about half way between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

The beach area is where you’ll go for your snorkel experience, which is also one of the best beaches in Riviera Maya and home to some stunning beachfront hotels and resorts.

Meaning “place of turtles” in the Mayan language, Akumal is known for its abundance of sea turtles right off the beach.

Akumal bay is full of sea grass, which is what the sea turtles eat and attracts them to the area.

There are so many sea turtles in Akumal that it is almost guaranteed that you will get to see sea turtles when visiting.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable snorkeling tour in Playa del Carmen where you can get an up close view of sea turtles in the wild, then visiting Akumal will not disappoint!

Akumal is a protected area and there are some rules you must abide by when visiting Akumal beaches:

• No touching the turtles
• No flippers or snorkel fins
• No sunscreen
• Only certified guides with a valid permit may access the reefs

Akumal has been a popular tourist destination for years and as a result the Akumal bay sea turtles are in danger of overcrowding and eco-system damage from irresponsible tourists.

When visiting Akumal, it’s important to remember that the sea turtles are endangered species and you should do everything you can to minimize human impact.

This means abiding by the rules set by the conservation authorities and overall being a responsible and eco-conscious traveler.

Here are a few important things to remember when snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal:

• Don’t crowd the turtles and be sure to leave ample space (at least 6 feet) between you and the Akumal turtles.
• Always stay flat at the surface and do your best not to disrupt the natural eco-system.
• Don’t stand up in the water as this can disrupt the sea grass where the turtles are feeding.
• Wear a rash guard or long sleeve shirt instead of sunscreen to protect and preserve the sea turtles and coral reefs.

That’s why it’s so important to go with reputable tour company like this one that is eco-conscious and committed to marine conversation.

✅ Here’s everything that’s included in the Akumal turtle tour:

• Snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal
• Visit to underground cenote
• All snorkeling equipment
• Light snacks and drinks
• Certified bilingual tour guides
• Professional tour photographer
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

❌ NOT INCLUDED:

• $20 USD Conservation Fee (must be paid in cash)
• Photography
• Tips

The cost of the Akumal snorkeling tour is around $99 USD per person and includes roundtrip transportation, swimming with sea turtles in Akumal, as well as visiting an incredible underground cenote.

There’s also a mandatory $20 USD per person conservation fee that must be paid in cash on the day of the tour. And an optional photo package is available for purchase.

Overall, I thought it was amazing value considering you get to experience two unforgettable activities and transportation is included.

The Akumal snorkeling tour can be booked online here. It’s best to reserve in advance as the tours can fill up quickly (especially during high season).

And what’s great is that there’s a 24-hour cancellation policy so you can always cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Travelista Tip: If you’re looking for a full day experience, this tour company also offers the same Akumal tour but you also get to visit the Tulum Mexico Ruins, which can booked online here.

The turtle snorkeling in Akumal tour will begin with hotel pickup at your resort or vacation rental.

Our pickup time was at 7:40AM but this will vary depending on where you’re staying.

You’ll board the tour van and head to Akumal from Playa del Carmen, which is about 30 minutes away.

Once you arrive to Akumal, you’ll enter through the Akumal dive shop and be given your snorkeling equipment to try on including a mask, snorkel, and life vest.

Fins are not allowed to be worn. You’ll then board the boat to head to the reef area as the first snorkeling stop.

One benefit of visiting Akumal on a tour is the opportunity to snorkel in the reef area, which is restricted to certified guides only.

After arriving to the reef area, you’ll jump off the side of the boat with a splash to begin your snorkeling experience.

I was really impressed by the snorkeling at the Akumal reef. The visibility was great and there was a lot of colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, stingrays, and other marine life to be seen.

This is also where we got our first glimpse of Akumal sea turtles swimming in the wild!

After snorkeling at the reef, you’ll swim as a group closer to the beach, which is much shallower and where the sea turtles are more likely to be seen.

While snorkeling, we got to see 5 sea turtles in total and few more stingrays. It’s such an incredible experience to see them up close under the water!

You’ll want to get your GoPro ready!

After the snorkeling experience at Akumal, there are shower facilities where you can have a quick rinse and dry off before getting back in the van.

You’ll then head to the cenote park, which is about 15 minutes away from Akumal.

Once you arrive to the cenote, you’ll be given a wetsuit, water shoes, and life vest to put on. You will definitely want to opt for the wetsuit because the water is extremely cold!

You’ll have a quick safety briefing and get to learn some interesting tidbits about cenotes and the history of the Mayans.

After suiting up, you’ll then head down to the cenote, which is one of the best cenotes near Playa del Carmen that I’ve seen and an impressive underground cavern full of stalagmites and stalactites.

It’s completely dark in the cenote save for the few light installations and flashlights provided by the tour guides.

The guides will lead you through the cenote swim where you’ll float, trek over rocks, and even have a chance to participate in a “Mayan sacrifice” where you can jump from an elevated ledge with the lights completely off.

It’s a bit terrifying taking a plunge into complete darkness but also a huge rush!

After swimming in the cenote, you’ll return to the visitor area to have a light snack of empanadas and fresh juice.

You’ll also get to see the photo presentation set to music of all the photos taken by the professional photographer on the tour.

The photo package can be purchased and they will email you a file with the photos.

I don’t normally buy photos on tours but I was actually really impressed with the quality of the photography so I did end up buying the package.

After eating, there are restrooms and changing facilities where you can change into dry clothes.

You’ll then board the van to head back to your hotel and they will drop you off in the reverse order of pickup.

Here are a few must-have items and nice-to-have items I would recommend bringing on the Akumal sea turtle tour:

Must-Haves

These are the must-have items to bring along:

• Rash guard: My top recommendation is to bring a rash guard, which is like a swim shirt to protect you from the sun without the need for sunscreen. When visiting Akumal, it’s important not to use sunscreen to protect the turtles. If you don’t have your own, you can also purchase a long sleeve shirt from the tour company.

• Beach towel: Another essential item to bring is a beach towel to dry off after you get out of the water. These microfiber beach towels are great options because they are super light weight and dry quickly between the multiple stops on the tour.

Nice-to-Have

These items are nice-to-have:

• GoPro or waterproof camera: I would highly recommend bringing a GoPro or waterproof camera to capture your snorkeling experience with the turtles. I always bring my GoPro and am constantly amazed by the picture quality.

• Snorkel Set: If you’re concerned about comfort or cleanliness, you can always bring your own snorkel set instead of using the one provided on the tour.

• Water shoes: Water shoes are definitely needed when swimming in the cenote as you’ll be walking over a lot of rocks. They are provided on the tour but it’s nice to bring your own water shoes if you have them to ensure the best fit.

• Wet Brush: I usually always bring a travel sized wet brush because my hair is always an absolute tangled mess when I get out of the ocean! I would recommend bringing one if you want to comb your hair after snorkeling.

Here’s what I would recommend wearing on the Akumal beach snorkeling tour:

• Swimsuit: Whenever I go on snorkeling tours, I usually always wear a one-piece swimsuit. It’s just so much more comfortable and provides much more coverage when you’re dealing with your lifejackets, putting on your snorkel gear, and getting in and out of the boat.

• Swimsuit coverup: You’ll also want to wear a lightweight swimsuit coverup or shorts that can be easily removed when you’re ready to get in the water.

• Flip flops: Wear flip flops or sandals that can be removed easily when you’re snorkeling.

• Change of clothes: You’ll also want to bring a change of clothes so you can change out of your wet swimsuit before the ride back to your hotel or resort.

Follow these tips to make the most of your Akumal snorkeling experience:

• Book in advance: I would highly recommend booking online in advance to reserve your spot as this is a small-group tour and can fill up quickly. There’s a 24-hour cancellation policy so it’s easy to cancel or reschedule if needed.

• Book a private tour if you have a larger group: If you have a larger group (5+), I would highly recommend booking a private tour. It’s a little more expensive but definitely worth it for an even more intimate and personalized experience.

• Bring a rash guard: As I mentioned, it’s best not to use any sunscreen (even if it’s biodegradable) in order to protect the turtles. A rash guard will protect you from a sunburn while snorkeling.

• Bring cash for tips: This is something I often forget then feel terrible when I don’t any cash on hand to tip the tour guides. Make sure to bring some extra cash (dollars or pesos) to give the tour guides a little something extra. They work hard to deliver great experiences.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Akumal:

I hope this snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal guide was helpful if you want to swim with sea turtles while visiting Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya!

It’s truly an unforgettable experience and one of the top snorkeling spots in Riviera Maya.

I personally went on this Akumal snorkeling tour and had an unforgettable experience–it’s one of the top-rated tours in Riviera Maya and has over 1,100 5-star reviews!

Plus, roundtrip transportation, snacks, and snorkeling gear are included for a hassle-free experience. And you’ll even get to visit a breathtaking cavern cenote after your snorkeling adventure.

Remember to follow the rules by not touching the turtles and not wearing any sunscreen–and you’re sure to have an incredible experience swimming with turtles in Akumal.

So, are you ready to see the sea turtles in Akumal for yourself?! It’s truly an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss!