Akumal & Cenote Snorkeling Tour: Sea Turtles & Rivers

Snorkel with three sea turtle species, then dive into an underground cenote in one afternoon.

This half-day snorkeling tour from Cancun combines two experiences: a guided snorkel in Akumal where sea turtle sightings are guaranteed, followed by a swim and snorkel in a cenote deep in the Yucatan rainforest. The tour includes round-trip hotel pickup, bilingual guide, snorkel gear, life vest, two empanadas at the cenote, and bottled water. Turtle sighting is guaranteed. Basic swimming ability is needed for the water activities.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkel with turtles and explore cenotes

• Snorkel with sea turtles and tropical fish
• Walk through subtropical rainforest
• Swim and snorkel in cenote

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya and driven to Akumal, where the snorkel begins in shallow, clear water. Sea turtle sightings are guaranteed. The reef here is home to three of the world's seven sea turtle species, and on any given day you'll see at least one. Beyond the turtles, the visibility lets you spot rays and brightly colored tropical fish moving through the coral. The snorkel itself is leisurely, not rushed, and you're in the water long enough to actually watch the animals instead of just passing through.

After Akumal, you head inland into the subtropical rainforest to an exclusive nature park built around an underground river system. A guide leads you on an easy walk through massive caves and caverns (no climbing or scrambling required), and then you reach the cenote itself. The water is fresh and crystal clear, and you swim and snorkel surrounded by thousands of stalagmites and stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling and rising from the floor. Two empanadas and bottled water are provided here, so you eat inside the cave before heading back.

The whole tour runs about five hours from pickup to drop-off. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and several other languages, so communication is straightforward. Snorkel gear and a life vest are provided for both the reef and the cenote. You'll need basic swimming ability for the water sections (this isn't a lesson, it's a tour), and the itinerary notes that sunscreen isn't allowed before entering the water (long-sleeve water shirts work instead). A $20 USD marine park fee applies per person and is separate from the tour price.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup from Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
• bilingual guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and other languages.
• snorkel gear and life vest for both the reef and cenote.
• two empanadas and bottled water at the cenote.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private TourGuide in 8 languages · No fixed timePrivate tour; includes pickup

Half-Day Sea Turtles and CenotesGuide in 8 languages · No fixed timeDepending on your location, pickup will be scheduled up to 2 hours before the activity starts; pickup is included

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 day

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 48

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Russian

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ocean Tours Mexico

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're in Cancun with a free afternoon and want to see sea turtles without arranging separate transport or gear. The pickup, guide and equipment are handled, and turtle sightings are guaranteed. The private option works if you're traveling with family or a group and want the same itinerary without sharing the boat.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): 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.

Can I book this tour if I'm visiting Cancun for just one afternoon?

Yes. The tour runs five hours total, including hotel pickup and drop-off, so it fits into a free afternoon or a day between flights. You choose your pickup time when you book, and the guide meets you at your hotel.

Is sea turtle sighting actually guaranteed on this tour?

Yes. The tour operates in Akumal, where sea turtles are present year-round, and the operator guarantees you'll see at least one of the three species that inhabit the reef. The shallow, clear water makes sightings routine rather than rare.

What's the cenote like, is it a small pool or a real swimming area?

The cenote is a massive underground lake fed by an underground river system, with thousands of stalagmites and stalactites surrounding the water. You swim and snorkel in it, not wade in a puddle. The water is fresh, not salt, and the cave setting is the main draw after the reef snorkel.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer for this tour?

You need basic swimming ability for the water activities. The tour is not a lesson. The snorkel in Akumal is leisurely and shallow, and the cenote swim is in calm fresh water. Life vests are provided. The tour is not recommended for people without basic swimming skills or for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes round-trip hotel pickup, bilingual guide, snorkel gear, life vest, two empanadas at the cenote, and bottled water. A $20 USD marine park fee per person is charged separately and is not included in the tour price. Bring money for photos, souvenirs and tips if you want them.