Akumal & Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich: Turtle Swim & Cenote Snorkel

Turtles Show Up at Akumal. You Just Have to Know Where to Look

You swim with wild turtles at Akumal Beach, then snorkel inside Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, a freshwater cave system sacred to the Maya. Hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen or Tulum is included, along with snorkeling equipment, a guide, water and snacks. The whole half-day takes about four to five hours, and you're back before lunch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Akumal1h 30m
2. Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich1h 30m · entry included

Swim with turtles and cenote visit

• Arrive at Akumal Beach
• Swim with wild turtles
• Put on snorkel mask
• Float over vibrant reef
• Pick up snorkeling equipment
• Swim in Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich
• Relax in refreshing cenote waters
• Transfer back to starting point

The experience

The turtles are there before you even get in the water. You pull up to Akumal Beach on the Riviera Maya and they're already cruising the shallows, unbothered, eating seagrass like it's just another Tuesday. That's the first surprise. They don't hide, they don't perform. They're just living their day and you're invited to float alongside them with a snorkel mask on. The half-day tour starts with hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen or Tulum, then heads straight to the beach. You get snorkeling equipment, a guide who knows the reef, and about an hour to watch the turtles move through the water at their own pace. The reef itself is sharp with color: fish everywhere, coral formations you didn't expect to find this close to shore.

After Akumal, the tour moves inland to Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, one of the larger underground cenotes in the region. The cenote is a freshwater cave system that the Maya considered sacred, and walking into it, you understand why. The light comes through cracks in the limestone ceiling and hits the water in these pale blue shafts. You snorkel here too, but it's a different feeling. The water is still, the air is cool, and there's no current pulling you anywhere. Your aquatic guide stays with you the whole time, pointing out the rock formations and explaining how these cenotes work as part of the underground river system. The whole experience is quieter than the beach, more interior.

The tour wraps with a transfer back to your hotel, and you're done by early afternoon. Bottled water and snacks are included, as is all the snorkeling gear. You don't need to bring your own or rent separately. One thing to know: the Akumal Bay turtle care program costs an extra 500 Mexican Pesos per person, paid on the day, if you want to support the conservation work there. It's optional, but most people do it once they see how many turtles depend on that beach.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or the Riviera Maya.
• snorkeling equipment for both Akumal Beach and Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich.
• bottled water and snacks.
• an aquatic guide at both locations.
• and air-conditioned vehicle transport between stops.

Options for this experience

2 options

Departure from Playa del CarmenGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Duration: 7 hours. Hotel pickup is included.

Tulum Meeting PointGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Hotel pickup not included. Choose this option if your hotel is in the Tulum Hotel Zone or in Tulum town. Duration: 6 hours. Meeting point: Hotel Andreas in Tulum at 9:15 am.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 09:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 28

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Holbox Magico

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see wild turtles and explore a cenote in one half-day without arranging transport, gear rental, or timing yourself: the fixed schedule fits both Akumal and the cenote into a single morning or afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

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.

Do you need snorkeling experience to do this tour?

No. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Guides are in the water with you at both Akumal and the cenote, and equipment is provided.

What's the difference between Akumal Beach and the cenote?

Akumal is open ocean with a reef and wild turtles. The cenote is a freshwater underground cave system. Both involve snorkeling but feel completely different.

Is the turtle care program mandatory?

No. It costs 500 Mexican Pesos extra per person and is optional, but it supports conservation efforts on the beach.

How long is the tour?

It's a half-day tour, roughly four to five hours including hotel pickup and transfer back.

What's included in the price?

Hotel or meeting point pickup, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks, and an aquatic guide at both locations. The turtle care program is not included.

Where does pickup happen?

From your hotel in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or the Riviera Maya, or from a designated meeting point.

Do you need to bring your own snorkel gear?

No. All snorkeling equipment is provided and included in the tour price.