YOUR OWN PRIVATE ADVENTURE

Akumal Turtles Tour

137 tour reviews

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

The details of your private day.

Swim with Turtles Akumal & Snorkeling in a Cenote – Private Tour

A Double Snorkeling Adventure in Ocean and Jungle Waters
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.
Swim with Sea Turtles in Their Natural Habitat
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.
Snorkel in 1 or 2 Cenotes of Your Choice
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.
A Delicious Local Lunch to End the Day
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.
Akumal Turtles Tour: Perfect for All Ages and Skill Levels
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.

Price includes

Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation (Booster car seat and baby car seat available on request)
Experienced certified private guide
All entrance fees
Akumal bay cooperative fee and CONAP fee (mandatory)
High quality snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, wetsuits, life jackets)
Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda)
Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte and one bottle of water

Price excludes

Extra drinks at the restaurant
Tips

General info

Private Tour:: Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
Duration:: 5-7 hours (check the itinerary tab, as it depends on your pick-up location).
Physicality:: Easy
Age:: All ages
Snorkeling:: Basic swimming skills required. This excursion suits everyone from novices to experts.
Which cenote will you visit?: The day of your tour, you can choose one cenote between Nicte Ha, Taak Bi Ha, Jaguar and Yal Ku Lagoon. For the tour option with 2 cenotes, you can visit one more cenote from the same list above. If you prefer to go to Dos Ojos or Pet Cemetery we will add 10 USD per person on your balance. Your guide will be happy to help you to select the best cenote for you and your party according to your expectations and snorkeling skills.
Swim with turtles:: Absolute Adventure is working with a local cooperative according to the Mexican law. (Consult Akumal Swim with Turtles regulation.)
In the event of the port being closed by the authorities making swimming with the turtles unauthorized, the tour will be amended to the 2 Cenotes tour and the price adjusted accordingly.
What’s on the menu?: Selection of quesadillas, tacos, empanadas, salbutes, fajitas, grilled chicken, grilled fish, tortas (sandwiches), soup of day, … with vegetarian, fish, shrimp, chicken & meat options. With corn or flour tortillas. We can accommodate special diets and allergies, just let us know!

Itinerary options

Times at each stop are estimates. Driving and your exact pickup location affect the schedule.

Cenote and turtles

Akumal turtles — 75 min
Cenote snorkel — 60 min
Lunch at Juanita restaurant — 40 min

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 Akumal and the cenote, moving at your own pace.

What to bring

Beach Towels
Swimsuit (We recommend wearing it in the morning and feel free to change after snorkeling activities)
Flip flops or sandals for water activities (Water shoes are optional but can be worn for added comfort)
Hat and sunglasses
Sunscreen and we recommend wearing a rash-guard/UV-Shirt for water activities*
Mosquito repellent*
Camera/Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone
Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)

FROM OUR GUESTS

A day worth remembering.

4.99/5 · 137 tour reviews

Showing reviews 1–9 of 137

Fantastic experience. We used Absolute adventure tours for Chichen Itza and Akumel, for swimming with turtles. Both were full day tours with multiple sights and stops. Everything was perfect from start to finish. From booking (Claire was super responsive) to the driver (Enrique) and guide (Arturo). The vehicle was clean and new, time-keeping perfect, the drive smooth and safe and the guide knowledgeable and personable.…

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Fantastic experience. We used Absolute adventure tours for Chichen Itza and Akumel, for swimming with turtles. Both were full day tours with multiple sights and stops. Everything was perfect from start to finish. From booking (Claire was super responsive) to the driver (Enrique) and guide (Arturo). The vehicle was clean and new, time-keeping perfect, the drive smooth and safe and the guide knowledgeable and personable. He helped keep the kids engaged throughout also. I’d highly recommend.Fantastic experience

BglenT · Aug 2026

Great day out for all the family. We had a brilliant time with Josh our guide and Rod our driver. Pick up from hotel was seems and new a/c mini bus very clean and comfortable. We loved swimming with turtles at the national park in Akumel - we saw turtles, fish, coral and a barracuda with 2 licensed guides who looked after our group of…

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Great day out for all the family. We had a brilliant time with Josh our guide and Rod our driver. Pick up from hotel was seems and new a/c mini bus very clean and comfortable. We loved swimming with turtles at the national park in Akumel - we saw turtles, fish, coral and a barracuda with 2 licensed guides who looked after our group of 10 aged 6-48. The seaweed is awful at our hotel beach but it was fine at Akumel, it was lovely to see a pretty beach while we were in Mexico. Afterwards we went to jaguar cenote for some adventure! We cliff jumped, swam and did the zip line which was all included and teens loved and then had a delicious traditional meal at a beautifuk restaurant to finish. Thanks Josh for a lovely day out we felt we were in good hands.Great day out for all the family

Anna B · Aug 2026

Gracias a Joshua y Rodrigo por su cercania y profesionalidad.Hemos hecho las excursiones de Chichen Itza, nado con tortugas en Akumal y 2 cenotes en un tour privado, con bebidas y toda la atención necesaria.Gracias de parte de todos
paqui jimenez · Jul 2026

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…

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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!

JMG · Jun 2026

Eddy was awesome and the whole trip was amazing.
Angelina · Jun 2026

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…

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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.

Christina · May 2026

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…

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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 ❤️

Kim Q · Apr 2026

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!
Laura G · Apr 2026

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.
Ashley · Apr 2026

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your tour questions, answered.

Tour basics

Is the Akumal Turtles tour private or shared?

This is a private tour, just for you and your group.

You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.

Is the driver also the guide?

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.

How long does the private Akumal Turtles snorkeling tour take?

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.

Pickup & transport

Is transportation included from my hotel or Airbnb?

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.

What vehicles do you use for your tours?

We offer a range of modern, air-conditioned vans to suit the size of your group and ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

Visit our fleet page for more details.

Can I change the pick up time?

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!

Activities & facilities

Is snorkeling experience required for this tour?

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.

Which cenote do we visit on this tour?

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.

Are turtle sightings guaranteed in Akumal?

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.

What type of boat is used to swim with the turtles?

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.

Are there showers or changing rooms at the cenote or at Akumal beach?

Yes. Facilities include clean showers, restrooms, and changing areas at both locations.

Planning & booking

What should I bring for the tour? Where can I leave my belongings?

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.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear?

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.

Are vegetarian or special dietary meals available?

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.

What is the cancellation policy?

Go ahead and plan with confidence—your booking is fully flexible!

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.

Come explore the Riviera Maya with us.

Private adventures, thoughtfully planned by our local team.

Discover more tours

Akumal Turtles Tour

Explore the tour in photos.

The details of your private day.

Swim with Turtles Akumal & Snorkeling in a Cenote – Private Tour

A Double Snorkeling Adventure in Ocean and Jungle Waters

Swim with Sea Turtles in Their Natural Habitat

Snorkel in 1 or 2 Cenotes of Your Choice

A Delicious Local Lunch to End the Day