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 28–36 of 137

Wonderful private tour! Hit all the points we wanted to see! Juan was amazing and a wonderful host! Thanks for the great memories!
Tim · Oct 2025

Juan was amazing! He was knowledgeable, kind, and extremely helpful!
Jessica · Oct 2025

Me and my family took a private tour with Josh and Rodri. We went snorkeling with the turtles saw five turtles and many tropical fish. It was incredible. We then went snorkeling in the Oso Cenotes which were underwater caves. Josh escorted us through the caves. Otherwise we probably would've got lost. The water was so clear. Josh then escorted us through the Cenotes to-the…

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Me and my family took a private tour with Josh and Rodri. We went snorkeling with the turtles saw five turtles and many tropical fish. It was incredible. We then went snorkeling in the Oso Cenotes which were underwater caves. Josh escorted us through the caves. Otherwise we probably would've got lost. The water was so clear. Josh then escorted us through the Cenotes to-the Batcave. There was bats everywhere. It was awesome. After snorkeling in the Cenotes we walk to have lunch, which was very tasty,lunch was included in the tour. I want to thank Josh and Rodri for an incredible day. I would totally recommend the tour.

Mike · Aug 2025

Fun private tour Great private tour to snorkel with turtles and swim in a cenote. Our guide Arturo was very accommodating and knowledgeable. He made the tour very memorable. Much appreciated. Hasta la proxima!
Jorge · Jul 2025

Great turtle and cenote adventure We had a great time with our guide Cristina. Pickup was right on time and the tour met all expectations. The turtle snorkeling was very doable if you were a confident swimmer (with mandatory life jacket). We chose the Taak bi Ha cenote swim and it was like nothing anyone in family had done before. I recommend to use the…

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Great turtle and cenote adventure
We had a great time with our guide Cristina. Pickup was right on time and the tour met all expectations. The turtle snorkeling was very doable if you were a confident swimmer (with mandatory life jacket). We chose the Taak bi Ha cenote swim and it was like nothing anyone in family had done before. I recommend to use the snorkel mask in the cenote to see the underwater channels.

John · Jul 2025

Perfect experience from start to finish! If I could recommend this Tour more than 5 stars I would. I highly recommend this service, it’s private personal to your group. (My case me and my husband). We have been on tours with other companies which other passengers have ruined the experience, there is no chance of that here. Our guide and Driver who picked us up…

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Perfect experience from start to finish!

If I could recommend this Tour more than 5 stars I would. I highly recommend this service, it’s private personal to your group. (My case me and my husband). We have been on tours with other companies which other passengers have ruined the experience, there is no chance of that here.

Our guide and Driver who picked us up at 7:45am on Sunday July 6th from Secrets/Impressions Moxche, were spectacular from the start. They even checked with us first if we still wanted to go swim with the Turtles because the sargassum was very thick at the opening (and we would have to walk through it), I know that’s nature and we do not control it, sargassum didn’t stop me from seeing the turtles though. Our Guide who had to take over there was a young 20 something guy very educational and nice. We saw 4 turtles. 1 massive one, 1 baby and 2 normal sized turtles. 🐢

Then we went to a lagoon, Yalku in Akumal. Our guide was able to join us there. It was absolutely beautiful there breathtakingly beautiful. It was one of the most beautiful magical experiences I’ve been on since the great barrier reefs Australia , and Maui Hawaii as a kid.

After that we went to a wonderful local restaurant in Akumal, and had Taco’s & nacho chips.

Then our trip came to an end and we got back to our resort at 12:30pm.

I wish I wrote our guides name down, he was truly amazing and wouldn’t have wanted any other guide! 🙂 Will definitely be coming back and bringing family and friends.

I highly recommend Absolute Adventures Mexico!! When in playa del Carmen will be only using them from now on!

Jennifer · Jul 2025

Had a perfect day from start to finish! 🙂 I would give double stars if I could! We picked two spots in Akumul swam with the turtles they gave us the option to switch because of the Sargassum/Seaweed, it didn’t bother us though so we went and had a wonderful time. We saw 4 turtles, one huge turtle a baby and 2 normal sized turtles.…

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Had a perfect day from start to finish! 🙂 I would give double stars if I could! We picked two spots in Akumul swam with the turtles they gave us the option to switch because of the Sargassum/Seaweed, it didn’t bother us though so we went and had a wonderful time. We saw 4 turtles, one huge turtle a baby and 2 normal sized turtles. Then we went probably one of the prettiest unique places I’ve ever seen, at the Yalku lagoon, our guide joined us there and he was so kind and informative. We then went to lunch in Akumal and had some delicious taco’s, and nacho chips. I definitely recommend, booking with Absolute Adventures Mexico one of the best excursions I’ve ever been on.

Jennifer · Jul 2025

Amazing experience! Darwin was so welcoming and friendly. We had such a good time and managed to see over 15 turtles!!! It was such a good experience and I would recommend it to anyone!
Sharon_H · Apr 2025

We had a wonderful time w Alex as our private guide. He is so knowledgeable and kind. He made sure we were safe comfortable and happy the whole time. We had a wonderful experience
Linn · Apr 2025

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