PRIVATE TOUR: For snorkeling lovers: Swim alongside sea turtles in Akumal Bay, then explore the crystal-clear waters of 1 or 2 cenotes. End the day with a delicious meal at a local Mexican restaurant.
Scroll down for detailed info, inclusions and itinerary.
Book your tour now and if your plans happen to change, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours prior to the tour!
Looking for the ultimate snorkeling experience in the Riviera Maya? Our Akumal Turtles Tour combines two unforgettable aquatic adventures: snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal Bay and exploring the magical waters of a jungle cenote. This tour is a favorite among families, kids, and groups of friends who want to enjoy nature and marine life in a fun, safe, and private setting.
The first part of your private tour takes you to the calm, clear waters of Akumal, one of the best places in Mexico to observe sea turtles in the wild. With the help of your certified private guide, you’ll snorkel alongside green sea turtles, peaceful and majestic as they glide effortlessly through the water. These gentle creatures often come close, offering a magical, up-close experience you’ll never forget.
If you're lucky, you might also spot stingrays and colorful tropical fish swimming gracefully along the ocean floor. Don't worry—stingrays are harmless and only add to the beauty of this incredible underwater setting.
After swimming with turtles in Akumal, the adventure continues inland. You can choose to visit one cenote or enhance your experience with two cenotes. Your guide will take you to a stunning cave cenote with dramatic rock formations or an open-air cenote surrounded by lush jungle, or both! Choosing two cenotes allows you to explore two very different environments and enjoy a more complete snorkeling adventure.
You can find the full list of cenotes available to choose from in the “General Info” tab.
No matter which cenote you choose, you’ll enjoy crystal-clear freshwater, impressive limestone formations, and a peaceful atmosphere. Snorkeling here gives you the chance to discover a hidden world that few travelers get to see.
After your snorkeling activities, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch in a local Mexican restaurant, nestled in the jungle or nearby town, depending on your chosen cenote. It’s the perfect moment to relax, share stories, and reflect on your day of discovery.
This tour is 100% private and flexible, making it ideal for snorkelers of all levels, from first-timers to experienced swimmers. Our expert guides will adapt to your pace, provide all necessary gear, and offer tips to help you feel comfortable in the water.
Whether you're an adventurous adult or a cautious child, you’re in good hands. Swimming is easy and accessible directly from the shore—no boat needed. Children as young as 4 or 5 years old can participate as long as they know how to swim and are comfortable wearing a mask and snorkel.
Join us on this exclusive Akumal Turtles tour paired with a cenote snorkeling experience. Whether you're drawn by the chance to meet marine life or explore the mysterious underground world of cenotes, this private tour promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Combine Mayan ruins and cenote experiences with these popular tours:
Book 2 or more tours and enjoy a 10% discount! Perfect for travelers looking to make the most of their stay in the Riviera Maya.
The recommended early pick-up time helps you avoid traffic,
crowds, and heat at the sites, but you can opt for a later pick-up when
booking.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at each location, moving at your own pace.
If you choose the 2 cenotes option, add an extra hour to the itinerary.
You can shorten the tour by booking the option that excludes lunch.
FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN AREA
07:45am: Transportation from your hotel to Akumal
08:30am – 09:30am: Snorkeling with turtles*
09:30am – 10:00am: Transportation
10:00am – 11:00am: Snorkeling in cenote
11:00am – 11:45am: Lunch at a restaurant
11:45pm – 12:30pm: Transportation to your hotel
FROM TULUM AREA
08:00am: Transportation from your hotel to Akumal
08:30am – 09:30am: Snorkeling with turtles*
09:30am – 10:00am: Transportation
10:00am – 11:00am: Snorkeling in cenote
11:00am – 11:45am: Lunch at a restaurant
11:45pm – 12:15pm: Transportation to your hotel
FROM CANCUN AREA
07:00am: Transportation from your hotel to Akumal
08:45am – 09:45am: Snorkeling with turtles*
09:45am – 10:15am: Transportation
10:15am – 11:15am: Snorkeling in cenote
11:15am – 12:00pm: Lunch at a restaurant
12:00pm – 13:45pm: Transportation to your hotel
*Swimming with turtles is limited to a maximum of 1 hour, as per Akumal regulations.
* It is forbidden to apply sunblock and repellent before swimming or
snorkeling activities to prevent water pollution in the cenotes and
preserve the reefs, even if they are biodegradable products. Compliance
with this rule is essential for the protection of the environment.
You can bring personal belongings you require during the tour (phone,
camera, extra set of clothes…). While you are visiting or snorkeling you
can leave the things you don’t need in the van. Our driver will always
be in the van, so keeping your things safe!
You must be logged in to post a review.
Looking for the ultimate snorkeling experience in the Riviera Maya? Our Akumal Turtles Tour combines two unforgettable aquatic adventures: snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal Bay and exploring the magical waters of a jungle cenote. This tour is a favorite among families, kids, and groups of friends who want to enjoy nature and marine life in a fun, safe, and private setting.
The first part of your private tour takes you to the calm, clear waters of Akumal, one of the best places in Mexico to observe sea turtles in the wild. With the help of your certified private guide, you’ll snorkel alongside green sea turtles, peaceful and majestic as they glide effortlessly through the water. These gentle creatures often come close, offering a magical, up-close experience you’ll never forget.
If you're lucky, you might also spot stingrays and colorful tropical fish swimming gracefully along the ocean floor. Don't worry—stingrays are harmless and only add to the beauty of this incredible underwater setting.
After swimming with turtles in Akumal, the adventure continues inland. You can choose to visit one cenote or enhance your experience with two cenotes. Your guide will take you to a stunning cave cenote with dramatic rock formations or an open-air cenote surrounded by lush jungle, or both! Choosing two cenotes allows you to explore two very different environments and enjoy a more complete snorkeling adventure.
You can find the full list of cenotes available to choose from in the “General Information” tab.
No matter which cenote you choose, you’ll enjoy crystal-clear freshwater, impressive limestone formations, and a peaceful atmosphere. Snorkeling here gives you the chance to discover a hidden world that few travelers get to see.
After your snorkeling activities, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch in a local Mexican restaurant, nestled in the jungle or nearby town, depending on your chosen cenote. It’s the perfect moment to relax, share stories, and reflect on your day of discovery.
This tour is 100% private and flexible, making it ideal for snorkelers of all levels, from first-timers to experienced swimmers. Our expert guides will adapt to your pace, provide all necessary gear, and offer tips to help you feel comfortable in the water.
Whether you're an adventurous adult or a cautious child, you’re in good hands. Swimming is easy and accessible directly from the shore—no boat needed. Children as young as 4 or 5 years old can participate as long as they know how to swim and are comfortable wearing a mask and snorkel.
Join us on this exclusive Akumal Turtles tour paired with a cenote snorkeling experience. Whether you're drawn by the chance to meet marine life or explore the mysterious underground world of cenotes, this private tour promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Combine Mayan ruins and cenote experiences with these popular tours:
Book 2 or more tours and enjoy a 10% discount! Perfect for travelers looking to make the most of their stay in the Riviera Maya.
The recommended early pick-up time helps you avoid traffic,
crowds, and heat at the sites, but you can opt for a later pick-up when
booking.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at each location, moving at your own pace.
If you choose the 2 cenotes option, add an extra hour to the itinerary.
You can shorten the tour by booking the option that excludes lunch.
FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN AREA
07:45am: Transportation from your hotel to Akumal
08:30am – 09:30am: Snorkeling with turtles*
09:30am – 10:00am: Transportation
10:00am – 11:00am: Snorkeling in cenote
11:00am – 11:45am: Lunch at a restaurant
11:45pm – 12:30pm: Transportation to your hotel
FROM TULUM AREA
08:00am: Transportation from your hotel to Akumal
08:30am – 09:30am: Snorkeling with turtles*
09:30am – 10:00am: Transportation
10:00am – 11:00am: Snorkeling in cenote
11:00am – 11:45am: Lunch at a restaurant
11:45pm – 12:15pm: Transportation to your hotel
FROM CANCUN AREA
07:00am: Transportation from your hotel to Akumal
08:45am – 09:45am: Snorkeling with turtles*
09:45am – 10:15am: Transportation
10:15am – 11:15am: Snorkeling in cenote
11:15am – 12:00pm: Lunch at a restaurant
12:00pm – 13:45pm: Transportation to your hotel
*Swimming with turtles is limited to a maximum of 1 hour, as per Akumal regulations.
* It is forbidden to apply sunblock and repellent before swimming or
snorkeling activities to prevent water pollution in the cenotes and
preserve the reefs, even if they are biodegradable products. Compliance
with this rule is essential for the protection of the environment.
You can bring personal belongings you require during the tour (phone,
camera, extra set of clothes…). While you are visiting or snorkeling you
can leave the things you don’t need in the van. Our driver will always
be in the van, so keeping your things safe!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND ABSOLUTE ADVENTURE MEXICO!!
I travel often and I did a ton of research to find a company I felt good about! I do not believe there is a better excursion company than Absolute Adventure!
We were so happy with this day excursion! I booked the private tour – so it was me, my friend, the guide (Joshua) and our driver (Omar)!
We saw so many turtles, fish, coral, etc., explored 2 cenotes, and had an amazing lunch!
Joshua was ridiculously knowledgable and was able to answer all the questions we had along with so many historical facts to add! If you are able to request a guide – ask for Joshua all the way! Super friendly and extremely well-versed in his passion of exploring!
Eddy was awesome and the whole trip was amazing.
I thought the tour guides were great, but I felt like the tour itself fell flat with the turtles.
My friend ended up with seaweed dermatitis, and the water was not clear and it was really difficult to see the animals. This is definitely not a toddler friendly tour Which was my first mistake. The open lagoon/cenote with clear water and fish was absolutely amazing and redeemed the trip. I would absolutely do another tour with this company, but skip the turtles.
Amazing Experience to Akumal & CenoteOur group of 5 friends did the private Akumal and Cenote snorkeling tour with the lovely Cristina as our guide. This was a highlight of our trip! We had an amazing time. Cristina really made it special with all of the background and knowledge she shared about the area’s history and culture. Ending the tour with the most fabulous lunch at Juanita’s was perfecto. Thank you Cristina and our driver Ivan ❤️
Thanks Cristina and Ivan!This was such a fun tour! Cristina was a wonderful guide and full of so much historical and cultural knowledge. While snorkeling we saw four sea turtles, puffer fish, and a sting ray. The cenote was absolutely amazing and visually stunning. Wonderful experience start to finish!
JJ was an outstanding tour guide for our cenotes and turtle tour. He took us to the Cenotes before crowds arrived and it was so serene! He told us about the formations and we got to see a bat cave. We appreciated his personality, his stories, and our shared commonalities!! . The van Fer drove was nice with refreshments available. Highly recommend.
Great experience for all the family.Wonderful trip today to see the turtles (rays and many fish) followed by a cenote swim and lunch at a local restaurant. We were 2 adults with a 15 and 12 year old. Everyone loved it and went home very happy! Our guide Arturo was excellent – great information and advised us on which cenote to go to given other trips planned.
Unforgettable turtle/cenote tourI went on this excursion with a group of friends and we had the best time from start to finish. Swimming with the turtles and then exploring the beautiful Taak Bi Ha Cenote is something our group will never forget and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Everything felt seamless and stress free, including the pick up and drop off from our hotel.
A special shoutout to our driver Hugo, who was fantastic, and to our guide Arturo, who made an already beautiful experience even more enjoyable. He was incredibly informative, engaging, and kept our whole group smiling the entire time.
The cherry on top was the delicious meal at the end of the tour, which was the perfect way to wrap up such an unforgettable day together. Thank you!!
Fantastic experience, our guide Joshua was excellent and our family had a wonderful time with Absolute Adventure! Would highly recommend this company!
We booked a cenote & sea turtle excursion a couple weeks ago. We had a great experience w Cristina & Pablo! She was super informative and friendly. Don’t miss Cenote Taak Bi Ha or Juanita’s for lunch!
Another great adventureThis was our second adventure with our private guide Arturo and his driver Hugo. We enjoy the private and professional experience, for us well worth the money. Arturo is so knowledgeable and makes each experience a wonderful learning and memorable event. We highly recommend the company 😊
We did the Swim with the turtles and cenote tour. Cristina and Kiki picked us up on time from our resort. Everything was explained about the day and what would happen. Swimming with the turtles was awesome! We even seen stingrays. We then went to our cenote and had a wonderful time there. We had lunch at a local restaurant with authentic food. It was very good. The tour was better than advertised and exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend using this company. Thank you Cristina and Kiki.
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You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.
No. The driver and guide are two different professionals.
All our tours include a dedicated driver and a separate certified guide.
While some companies offer a guide-driver, we believe this is not safe. Having a driver focused solely on the road and a guide fully dedicated to our guests ensures a safer and higher-quality experience.
It typically lasts between 5 to 6 hours, depending on your hotel location and how much time you’d like to spend at each site. Please check the full itinerary in the “Itinerary” tab for more details.
Yes, round-trip transportation is included from Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum. We’ll pick you up right from your hotel, resort, or Airbnb for a stress-free start to your day.
Please note: we don’t offer pick up from Cancun Playa Mujeres hotels unless your group has 6 or more adults.
Yes, you’re welcome to choose your preferred pick-up time when booking.
That said, we recommend an early morning start to help you beat the crowds, skip the traffic, and enjoy cooler temperatures—it really makes a difference!
No previous snorkeling experience is required, but basic swimming skills are necessary.
We provide mandatory life vests, and our guide ensures a safe and comfortable experience for everyone.
You can view the list of cenotes available for this tour under the ‘Tour Description and General Info’ tab, where you'll also find links to full descriptions of each cenote.
We offer a variety of cenote types, including open-air, semi-open, and cave cenotes.
Unless you've already made your choice, you can decide which cenote to visit together with your tour guide on the day of your tour.
Turtle sightings are very likely but not guaranteed, as they are wild animals.
Akumal is one of the best places in the region to see them.
There is no boat involved. The swim starts directly from the shore, and you’ll enter the water with your guide to reach the turtle area.
Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas at both locations.
Check the "What to bring" tab on the tour page for the full packing list. Essentials include swimwear, a towel and comfortable shoes.
You can safely leave your belongings in the van—our driver stays with it the entire time while you're out enjoying the activities.
Yes, you can bring your own mask and snorkel.
However, fins are not allowed when swimming with turtles or in the cenote, so please do not bring them.
We will still provide our own gear as a backup if needed. We will also provide mandatory life vests and optional wetsuits at the cenote if you want to wear one.
Yes, we’re happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary needs or allergies.
After booking, you can let us know your needs by filling out the check-in form—just follow the link in your booking confirmation email.
You can cancel free of charge or reschedule (subject to availability) up to 24 hours before your tour.
We’re a small team and often fully booked 1–2 weeks in advance, so we recommend booking early to secure your spot.
Bonus: if you book at least 2 months in advance (60 days), you’ll qualify for our early bird discount*!
For full details, check out our booking policy page.
JMG –
HIGHLY RECOMMEND ABSOLUTE ADVENTURE MEXICO!!
I travel often and I did a ton of research to find a company I felt good about! I do not believe there is a better excursion company than Absolute Adventure!
We were so happy with this day excursion! I booked the private tour – so it was me, my friend, the guide (Joshua) and our driver (Omar)!
We saw so many turtles, fish, coral, etc., explored 2 cenotes, and had an amazing lunch!
Joshua was ridiculously knowledgable and was able to answer all the questions we had along with so many historical facts to add! If you are able to request a guide – ask for Joshua all the way! Super friendly and extremely well-versed in his passion of exploring!
Angelina –
Eddy was awesome and the whole trip was amazing.
Christina –
I thought the tour guides were great, but I felt like the tour itself fell flat with the turtles.
My friend ended up with seaweed dermatitis, and the water was not clear and it was really difficult to see the animals. This is definitely not a toddler friendly tour Which was my first mistake. The open lagoon/cenote with clear water and fish was absolutely amazing and redeemed the trip. I would absolutely do another tour with this company, but skip the turtles.
Kim Q –
Amazing Experience to Akumal & CenoteOur group of 5 friends did the private Akumal and Cenote snorkeling tour with the lovely Cristina as our guide. This was a highlight of our trip! We had an amazing time. Cristina really made it special with all of the background and knowledge she shared about the area’s history and culture. Ending the tour with the most fabulous lunch at Juanita’s was perfecto. Thank you Cristina and our driver Ivan ❤️
Laura G –
Thanks Cristina and Ivan!This was such a fun tour! Cristina was a wonderful guide and full of so much historical and cultural knowledge. While snorkeling we saw four sea turtles, puffer fish, and a sting ray. The cenote was absolutely amazing and visually stunning. Wonderful experience start to finish!
Ashley –
JJ was an outstanding tour guide for our cenotes and turtle tour. He took us to the Cenotes before crowds arrived and it was so serene! He told us about the formations and we got to see a bat cave. We appreciated his personality, his stories, and our shared commonalities!! . The van Fer drove was nice with refreshments available. Highly recommend.
Trip19810437610 –
Great experience for all the family.Wonderful trip today to see the turtles (rays and many fish) followed by a cenote swim and lunch at a local restaurant. We were 2 adults with a 15 and 12 year old. Everyone loved it and went home very happy! Our guide Arturo was excellent – great information and advised us on which cenote to go to given other trips planned.
Ale –
Unforgettable turtle/cenote tourI went on this excursion with a group of friends and we had the best time from start to finish. Swimming with the turtles and then exploring the beautiful Taak Bi Ha Cenote is something our group will never forget and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Everything felt seamless and stress free, including the pick up and drop off from our hotel.
A special shoutout to our driver Hugo, who was fantastic, and to our guide Arturo, who made an already beautiful experience even more enjoyable. He was incredibly informative, engaging, and kept our whole group smiling the entire time.
The cherry on top was the delicious meal at the end of the tour, which was the perfect way to wrap up such an unforgettable day together. Thank you!!
josh –
Fantastic experience, our guide Joshua was excellent and our family had a wonderful time with Absolute Adventure! Would highly recommend this company!
Brooke –
We booked a cenote & sea turtle excursion a couple weeks ago. We had a great experience w Cristina & Pablo! She was super informative and friendly. Don’t miss Cenote Taak Bi Ha or Juanita’s for lunch!
Jackie A –
Another great adventureThis was our second adventure with our private guide Arturo and his driver Hugo. We enjoy the private and professional experience, for us well worth the money. Arturo is so knowledgeable and makes each experience a wonderful learning and memorable event. We highly recommend the company 😊
David –
We did the Swim with the turtles and cenote tour. Cristina and Kiki picked us up on time from our resort. Everything was explained about the day and what would happen. Swimming with the turtles was awesome! We even seen stingrays. We then went to our cenote and had a wonderful time there. We had lunch at a local restaurant with authentic food. It was very good. The tour was better than advertised and exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend using this company. Thank you Cristina and Kiki.
Jesse –
INCREDIBLE EXCURSION
100/10 stars. My friends and i celebrated a bachelorette party and the experience was wonderful and seamless. Our tour guide Arturo and driver Hugo were so incredibly helpful and very sweet! Very professional and easy to spend the day with! We were able to Snorkel with turtles up close which was incredible and we even saw a stingray. Then we drove to the cenote which we basically had to ourselves and that was otherworldly. So serene, so pristine, and such a beautiful, natural environment. We ended the excursion at a very classic Mexican restaurant and had traditional food which tasted INSANELY DELICIOUS! service was great and prices were very fair! All in all a wonderful day we will all remember and such a special memory made
mluansing –
Snorkeling, Sea Turtles, and Cenotes!
Snorkeled with sea turtles at Akumal Beach then visited la Casa Cenote and Dos Ojos Cenote. Very fun and different experiences, would recommend. Dulce and Omar were great and friendly and had all the supplies we needed!
Craig –
We did 2 different trips with Absolute Adventures during our stay in PDC. Our Guide Arturo and Driver Omar were amazing from start to finish. They took care of our every need and answered all 1000 of our questions about mexico. We would definitely book again with them!
Sarah –
Snorkeling adventure with turtles and underground
Today we had unforgettable experiences snorkeling with turtles and later snorkeling in a cave. Alex was our guide and Omar, our driver. They did a great job preparing us for these adventures and making sure we had everything we needed. During the drives, Alex gave us lots of interesting background on the Mayans. Our guide for seeing the turtles was also very patient and kind. The turtles were super fun to see eating and surfacing. I was glad for the concern about protecting them. Later the underground cenote was dark and quiet, and we almost had it to ourselves. Alex joined us in the water to point out interesting rock features. The ride was comfortable and efficient.
Dash –
Alex & Rodrigo took us on 2 excellent adventures. First, swimming with the turtles at a park in the ocean. Then to a cenote in a cave! During the ride, Alex gave an animated and highly engaging history of the area and explained many of the traditional, indigenous customs and culture that exists for the Mayans and people of the Yucatan peninsula. I learned so much and it made the van ride go by so quickly. I alwayd felt safe with Rodrigo driving and guarding our stuff in the van. We had a delicious lunch in a local spot that had great drinks and a fun gift shop plus hammocks and swings to relax. Alex ate with us and allowed us to ask so many questions. It was truly worth the money. The whole experience was my favorite part of my trip to Mexico. Thank you Alex and thank you Rodrigo!
Stacey –
Sea Turtle Encounter
We had booked a tour to go snorkeling on the reef, but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate, so Clair offered us this tour instead. We once again had Cristina as our tour guide. She is the very best, and anyone who books a tour with Absolute Adventure should ask for her! The water was a little cloudy due to the aforementioned weather, but we still got to see some turtles and a bunch of different fish. We then went to an amazing cenote. I cant remember which one it was but it had the clearest waters we had ever seen and was amazing to swim and snorkel in. Altogether a wonderful experience!
Guy TravelGuy –
Professional and a great team. We enjoyed every moment.
K.J. –
Clean vehicle and fun times
The driver and tour guide was very helpful and patient with our family. The guide knew a lot about cenotes and culture. The driver kept a clean vehicle and it was appreciated.