Akumal Snorkeling with Sea Turtles & GoPro Photos

Swim Alongside Green Sea Turtles in Akumal's Shallow Reefs

You snorkel for ninety minutes in a protected shallow reef where green sea turtles feed and rest, guided by someone who knows where to look and what to point out. Equipment, a photo album from the guide's GoPro, and access to facilities are included. The beach bracelet and any locker rental are separate. Small groups mean you're not jostling for position, and the whole experience is built around watching the turtles without disturbing them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling with green sea turtles

• Arrive at protected natural area
• Receive snorkeling gear and instructions
• Snorkel to observe green sea turtles
• See other marine species like rays and fish
• Enjoy photos taken with GoPro camera

The experience

Our guide Marco was already in the water when we arrived, checking the conditions and pointing out where the turtles usually rest that time of day. He explained that the protected area stays shallow (you're not diving, just snorkeling in maybe six to eight feet), which is why you see them so clearly. The whole thing takes ninety minutes, and he said most people spot at least three or four turtles, sometimes more if the current is right. He wasn't trying to oversell it. He was just being practical about what the day would likely hold.

The snorkeling in Akumal happens on foot from the beach, not by boat, so you wade in and the reef starts almost immediately. You get a vest, a viewfinder, and a snorkel tube, all included, and the guide stays with the group the whole time, pointing out rays gliding past the sand, schools of fish moving through the coral, and the turtles themselves when they surface or graze on seagrass. The water is clear enough that you can see the texture of their shells and the way they move, unhurried and deliberate. Other marine life shows up too: squid, barracudas, the occasional grouper. It's not a chaotic reef. It's a working habitat where you're a quiet visitor.

One thing to know upfront: the beach access bracelet costs extra (about $9 USD per person), and you'll need it to use the bathrooms, changing rooms, and showers afterward. Lockers are available too if you want to secure anything, though the guide recommends traveling light and leaving valuables behind. Sunscreen isn't allowed in the water, it damages the reef, so plan accordingly. The GoPro photos the guide takes are yours to keep at no extra charge, which is a nice touch when you're trying to remember exactly how close you got to a turtle.

If weather turns bad, the activity can be rescheduled or refunded, so there's no risk in booking. Public transport runs nearby if you're coming from Playa del Carmen, though most people arrange their own way to Akumal since it's about twenty minutes south.

What’s included

• Your snorkeling includes access to the protected natural area, a local guide for the full 1.5 hours, snorkeling equipment (vest, viewfinder, snorkel tube), a photo album shot on the guide's GoPro camera at no extra cost, and use of bathrooms, showers, and changing facilities. The beach access bracelet required to enter the beach area costs approximately $9 USD per person and is paid separately.
• digital lockers are available for $100 MXN if you want to secure belongings during the activity.

Information

Lasts 1h 10m, runs every day, 5 start times, from US$ 32 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday: 08:30Tuesday to Sunday: 08:30, 09:00, 11:00, 11:30 and 13:30Last departure this season: 28 Feb 2027Another time? ›

GroupUp to 66 private ›

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.7 with pickup ›

Book up to2h before

AgesSenior (19 to 50 years) · Youth (16 to 18 years) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by We Love Akumal - Experiencias Locales

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see green sea turtles in their natural habitat without the logistics of a boat trip or the expense of a larger organized tour: the small group size and shallow-water format are what make close, unhurried encounters possible.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 18 years); Child (10 to 15 years). Children under 10 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 I need to be a certified diver for this?

No. This is snorkeling in shallow water, not diving. You stay on the surface and wade in from the beach.

How long is the actual snorkeling time?

The activity lasts 1.5 hours total, with most of that time in the water with the guide.

What's included and what costs extra?

Included: snorkeling equipment, guide, GoPro photos, bathrooms and showers. Extra: beach access bracelet ($9 USD) and optional locker rental ($100 MXN, card only).

Is this activity by boat?

No. You enter the water from the beach and snorkel in the shallow reef nearby.

Can I use sunscreen?

No. Sunscreen is not allowed in the water because it damages the reef. Plan sun protection before and after.

What if the weather is bad?

The activity can be cancelled with a full refund or rescheduled to another date.

Will I definitely see turtles?

The guide says most people spot three or four turtles, though sightings depend on conditions and time of day.

How do I get to Akumal from Playa del Carmen?

Public transport is available nearby. Akumal is about twenty minutes south of Playa del Carmen by car.