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 73–81 of 137

We had the loveliest day snorkeling with the turtles and enjoying swimming in a cenote. Alex was wonderful! He was so informative explaining much about the area, history, culture etc. He was so pleasant and accommodating as well, answering any questions we had. He truly made the day extra special. We saw turtles in Akumel and many fish in the reef. We were fortunate enough…

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We had the loveliest day snorkeling with the turtles and enjoying swimming in a cenote. Alex was wonderful! He was so informative explaining much about the area, history, culture etc. He was so pleasant and accommodating as well, answering any questions we had. He truly made the day extra special. We saw turtles in Akumel and many fish in the reef. We were fortunate enough to have the cenote to ourselves and immensely enjoyed the beauty and relaxing time snorkeling there as well. After, was a delicious lunch at a local family run restaurant. All in all, an exceptional day!

Beth · May 2023

Highly recommend this private tour! Our tour guide was fantastic! What a wonderful experience! Perfect private tour for a nervous swimmer like me. First stop was snorkelling in Akumel where we saw several sea turtles, including babies. Two of which came up for air within arms length. So close you could actually hear the turtle inhale! We also saw a couple of stingrays. Was nice…

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Highly recommend this private tour! Our tour guide was fantastic!
What a wonderful experience! Perfect private tour for a nervous swimmer like me. First stop was snorkelling in Akumel where we saw several sea turtles, including babies. Two of which came up for air within arms length. So close you could actually hear the turtle inhale!
We also saw a couple of stingrays. Was nice to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
Next was a stop at the Nicte Ha Cenote where we able to relax, snorkel and enjoy this refreshing water in a gorgeous setting. Lastly, we stopped for an authentic Mexican lunch. Enjoyed the food, ambience and company of our guide Alex.
Alex was a wealth of information. His love of the Mayan history and people was evident. He appears to love his job and does it well!
A special shout out to our driver Omar. While Alex was sharing information Omar navigated the busy highway allowing us to arrive at our destination safely and stress free.
Highly recommend!

Christina · May 2023

We had fun snorkeling and seeing sea turtles and lots of fishes! They actually set you up with a local guide to find them and provide you with everything you need (snork equipment and life vest). Arturo, our guide watched over our stuff in the meantime. Then Arturo, took us to the Taak bi Ha cenote and gave us wetsuits so we wouldn't be cold.…

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We had fun snorkeling and seeing sea turtles and lots of fishes! They actually set you up with a local guide to find them and provide you with everything you need (snork equipment and life vest). Arturo, our guide watched over our stuff in the meantime. Then Arturo, took us to the Taak bi Ha cenote and gave us wetsuits so we wouldn't be cold. It was such a wonderful place. He explained how the cave formed and showed us some nice spots. This was an amazing cenote, would absolutely recommend! This is a great company, felt safe, the mini van was clean and all the guides are very friendly.

Adventure3062 · Apr 2023

We had a lovely time with our guide Dulce and our driver Carlos. We saw green sea turtles, stingrays and various smaller fish (including a young Dory fish) when snorkelling in Tsuuk Akumal. Going early helps to avoid the crowds and it was only getting busier when we were leaving. We then had a choice of cenotes to go to and opted for Nicte-Ha, a…

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We had a lovely time with our guide Dulce and our driver Carlos. We saw green sea turtles, stingrays and various smaller fish (including a young Dory fish) when snorkelling in Tsuuk Akumal. Going early helps to avoid the crowds and it was only getting busier when we were leaving. We then had a choice of cenotes to go to and opted for Nicte-Ha, a smallish open cenote with a bit of side caves, as we’d been to various enclosed cenotes already. Nicte-Ha had great visibility, enabling us to snorkel among waterlilies and tiny fish. As it was still early, for most of our time there we were the only people in the cenote. The local lunch was great and Dulce helped us order a nice variety platter to try various types of tacos. As sunscreen is not allowed in Tsuuk Akumal or in the cenote, I’d recommend asking for a wetsuit, especially if you’re prone to burning. They have them in the car and they will shield your back and upper limbs from the sun while snorkelling as well as keep you warm in the cooler waters of the cenote for longer.

KATE · Apr 2023

Alex ( guide) and Rodriguez ( driver) were great. We had a excellent time on our private tour with my family. It was very good! we did the turtle snorkeling adventure with the cenote!
Jason · Feb 2023

Excellent private tour. Amazing driver and guide that picked us up right from resort. On time! Extremely friendly and knowledgeable ! Felt very safe the entire time! Can’t give a high enough recommendation for 1 or 2 couples or a family !
Bobby · Jan 2023

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING THE MOST AMAZING experience. BOOK YOUR TOUR NOW . Booked a tour to snorkel with turtles and swim in a cenote . We woke up 15 minutes after pick up time and scrambled to get outside JUAN was our driver , who waited for us and welcomed us with open arms . He put our minds at easy and assured us not to…

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ABSOLUTELY AMAZING THE MOST AMAZING experience. BOOK YOUR TOUR NOW . Booked a tour to snorkel with turtles and swim in a cenote . We woke up 15 minutes after pick up time and scrambled to get outside JUAN was our driver , who waited for us and welcomed us with open arms . He put our minds at easy and assured us not to worry . HE WENT OUT OF HIS WAY to make our experience amazing, took photos , shared stories and made us feel EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE. I simply cannot say enough good things about him . HE IS TRULY so kind hearted& full of life . Please make sure to show gratitude and respect for your your guides and TIP THEM . Our driver and guide made our day AMAZING and we appreciate them so much . Juan You are the BEST of the BEST .

Alexis + Chris · Jan 2023

Knowledgeable and friendly guide, everything was right on time and we had a Great tour of the cenote
Rob · Dec 2022

This was an excellent tour! I felt very safe and the tour guides Alex and Omar were absolutely excellent. Very safe, very freindly and it could not have been a better experience. Will definitely go again!
Libby · Dec 2022

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