Swim with Sea Turtles in Akumal & Cenote Cave Tour

Snorkel in the same water where sea turtles graze on seagrass.

This half-day tour combines two signature Riviera Maya swims: snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal Bay and swimming inside Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, a limestone cavern filled with mineral-rich freshwater. An aquatic guide leads both encounters, and round-trip transportation with beverages is included. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours and departs from either Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cenote swim and turtle snorkeling

• Swim in jungle cenote
• Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal

The Experience

Akumal Bay is a calm, shallow snorkel site where sea turtles come to feed on seagrass in their natural habitat. You enter the water with snorkel gear and a guide who stays with the group, keeping the encounter at a pace where you can watch the turtles move and graze without chasing or touching them. The bay is protected and the water is clear enough to see the seabed where the turtles browse.

After Akumal, the tour heads inland to Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, a natural sinkhole where freshwater pools inside a limestone cavern. You swim and float in water that is cool and mineral-rich, surrounded by the cave's rock formations and jungle canopy above. An aquatic guide is with you here as well, pointing out the cenote's geology and the way the water fills these underground chambers. This is not a crowded tourist pool—it is a working natural feature that has been used for centuries.

Round-trip transportation is included from your hotel in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, depending on which departure you choose. The air-conditioned vehicle carries the group, and bottled water and soda are available during the drive. Snorkel equipment—mask, fins and snorkel—is provided and fitted before you enter the water. The whole outing takes 5 to 6 hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment for both Akumal and the cenote.
• aquatic guides at each location.
• round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle from Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
• bottled water and soda during the drive.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Tenoch Tours Riviera Maya

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see sea turtles in their natural grazing habitat without a boat ride, and combine it with a freshwater cenote swim in a single half-day outing. The fixed schedule and included transport mean the logistics are settled before you arrive, so the morning or afternoon holds together without building it yourself.

Top questions

Can I swim with the sea turtles if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Akumal Bay is shallow and calm, designed for snorkeling rather than deep diving. The guide stays with your group throughout, and snorkel gear is provided. The tour does require at least moderate physical fitness, and it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What is Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich like when I get there?

Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich is a natural limestone sinkhole with freshwater pools inside a cavern. You swim in mineral-rich water surrounded by rock formations and jungle vegetation at the opening. It is a real geological feature, not a constructed pool, and the water stays cool year-round.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. Snorkel equipment—mask, fins and snorkel—is included and provided on the tour. The guide will fit it before you enter the water at both Akumal and the cenote.

Which departure point should I choose, Playa del Carmen or Tulum?

Both Playa del Carmen and Tulum departures are available. Choose based on where your hotel is located; round-trip transportation from your hotel is included in both options.

What is included in the price, and what do I need to pay separately?

The tour includes snorkel equipment, both aquatic guides, round-trip transportation, and beverages. A marine tax for the turtle protection program (MXN 400 per person) is paid separately on the day of the tour and is required to access Akumal Bay.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome from age 4. They will need to be comfortable in the water and able to snorkel with supervision. The guide can adjust pacing for younger swimmers.