Riviera Maya: Cenote Cave Swim & Akumal Sea Turtles Tour

Summary

Swim in a cenote cave then snorkel with turtles at Akumal

You’ll float through a jungle cenote cave near Riviera Maya, then snorkel alongside wild sea turtles in Akumal’s calm bay with a local guide showing you where to look. Expect cool water, sun-warmed rocks, laughter over language slips, and quiet moments watching turtles graze below you — plus easy pickup and snacks along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the cool air inside Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich — it hit my skin right after we ducked under the vines. Sunlight made these weird patterns on the water, all flickering blue and green. Our guide, Diego, handed me a snorkel and grinned like he’d seen this reaction before. I could smell wet earth and something mineral, kind of sharp but clean. The water was colder than I expected. It took me a second to just float there and look up at those stone ceilings — honestly felt like being inside some ancient secret.

After drying off (well, sort of — my towel was already half-wet), we drove out toward Akumal. There were iguanas sunning themselves by the road and Diego told us how “Akumal” means “place of turtles” in Mayan. He tried to teach us the pronunciation — Li laughed when I tried to say it in Spanish; probably butchered it. When we finally got our fins on and waded into the bay, I kept thinking maybe we wouldn’t see any turtles. But then one just glided past me, so close I could see its shell scratched from years grazing here. The seagrass moved in slow waves underneath us, little fish darting around our legs.

I liked that Diego kept things chill — he pointed out which way to swim so we didn’t crowd the turtles or each other. There were a few other groups but it never felt busy or rushed. At one point I just floated still and watched sunlight ripple over a turtle’s back as it surfaced for air (I still think about that view). On the way back someone handed out snacks — nothing fancy but after swimming everything tasted better somehow. The van was cool and quiet; everyone looked sleepy-happy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cenote swim and turtle snorkeling

• Explore jungle cenote swim
• Swim in mineral-rich freshwater
• Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal

Top questions

How long is the cenote & turtle tour from Riviera Maya?

The tour lasts about half a day including transportation between sites.

Is snorkeling equipment provided for swimming with sea turtles?

Yes, all snorkeling gear is included in the tour price.

Where do you swim with sea turtles on this tour?

You’ll snorkel with sea turtles at Akumal Bay in Riviera Maya.

Are snacks or drinks included during the tour?

Bottled water and snacks are provided during the trip.

Is hotel pickup included for this cenote & turtle tour?

Yes, round-trip transportation is included from your accommodation.

Can you wear sunscreen while swimming with turtles?

No, sunscreen isn’t allowed during the turtle swim to protect their habitat.

Do you need to pay extra fees on site?

Yes, there’s a $15 USD per person fee for the turtle care program payable on site.

Is this tour suitable for people who can’t swim well?

You should be comfortable swimming; moderate fitness is recommended.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup by air-conditioned vehicle, entry to Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich with an aquatic guide for exploring the cavern waters, use of all snorkeling equipment for both cenote and Akumal turtle swims, bottled water and light snacks along the way—plus guidance throughout from someone who knows every turn of this coast before heading back relaxed (and probably sandy) in the afternoon.