Akumal Bay Swim with Sea Turtles & Cenote Private Tour

Swim with turtles in Akumal Bay, then plunge into a freshwater cenote

A small-group tour from Tulum takes you to Akumal Bay to swim with sea turtles and tropical fish, then to a cenote (an underground river with clear water and rock formations), where a certified guide explains Mayan culture. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, an authentic Mexican lunch, and a return to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Swim with turtles and cenote visit

• Meet certified guide at pickup
• Boat ride to Akumal Bay
• Swim with turtles and wildlife
• Use private lockers and showers
• Visit underground river cenote
• Learn about Mayan culture
• Enjoy authentic Mexican lunch
• Return to pickup location

The experience

Akumal Bay sits about 30 minutes south of Tulum and draws swimmers to shallow, calm water where sea turtles feed year-round. Your certified guide meets you at pickup and takes you by air-conditioned vehicle to the bay, where you board a small boat with fewer than six passengers. You'll snorkel in the water where the turtles live, alongside colorful fish and stingrays. A private area with lockers and showers waits on shore so you can secure your belongings and rinse off before the next stop.

After Akumal, the guide drives you to a cenote: a natural sinkhole that opens into an underground river. The water is clear and cold, fed by underground springs, and the rock formations rise around you as you swim. Your guide shares details about how the cenote shaped Mayan life and belief. This is where the tour slows down. The cenote has a different rhythm than the bay, quieter and more reflective.

Before heading back, you'll eat an authentic Mexican lunch of flautas, rice, beans and fresh lemonade at the cenote location. On the drive back to your hotel, the vehicle is stocked with a cereal bar, fruit and water. The whole tour runs about four hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• authentic Mexican lunch of flautas, rice, beans and lemonade.
• air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board.
• parking fees.
• fresh water throughout the day.
• use of lockers and community showers at Akumal Bay.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 12:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tulum Tours l Paradise Adventours (tours en tulum)

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to swim with turtles in a semiprivate boat rather than a large group tour. You'll have space to move and won't overwhelm the wildlife.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's it like to swim with the turtles at Akumal Bay?

Akumal Bay is shallow and calm, which is why the turtles come to feed there. You'll snorkel in the same water where they graze, and you'll also see colorful tropical fish and stingrays. The boat holds fewer than six passengers, so the group stays small and the turtles aren't overwhelmed.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear, or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included with the tour, so you don't need to bring your own or rent it separately.

What exactly is a cenote, and what will I do there?

A cenote is a natural sinkhole that opens into an underground river fed by freshwater springs. You'll swim in the clear, cold water and see the rock formations above and around you. Your certified guide explains how cenotes were sacred to the Mayan people and shaped their culture and survival.

Is the cenote water cold?

Yes, the cenote water is fresh and clear but noticeably cold because it comes from underground springs. You'll have time to adjust before swimming, and the showers at Akumal Bay let you rinse off before you leave.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is an authentic Mexican meal of flautas, rice, beans and fresh lemonade, served at the cenote location. The tour also includes water, fruit and a cereal bar on the drive back to your hotel.