Can you swim with turtles in Riviera Maya?

Arrive at Akumal Beach and enjoy the opportunity to swim with wild turtles. Put on a snorkeling mask and marvel at marine life as you float above the vibrant reef. Take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch of tacos or pizza.



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There's one important rule when visiting Akumal: DON'T touch the turtles! As cute as they may look to you hugging them may harm them, so please don't do this. Swim with turtles, leaving a decent distance as they need their personal space, the same way as humans do. Swim nearby but never touch the turtle.

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Some articles, blogs and reviews herald Akumal as one of the best places in the world to swim with turtles. For this reason, tourists flock from all over the Riviera Maya, from Cancún to Tulum, to Akumal to swim with turtles.

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Embark on a half-day guided trip exploring ancient cenotes and enjoy the rare opportunity to swim with turtles at Akumal Beach. Enjoy round-trip hotel or meeting point transfers from Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya and Tulum. Arrive at Akumal Beach and enjoy the opportunity to swim with wild turtles.

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Xcaret: Xcaret Park is very near Playa del Carmen. Small and medium-sized turtles live in natural pools here. Akumal: Akumal means Land of Turtles in Mayan. Many local companies offer turtle tours.

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Yucatan Peninsula: Known for the tourism hotspot of Cancun, this spectacular coast, which also goes by the name of the Mexican Riviera, has a number of important nesting beaches for green turtles and loggerheads. Good spots to see sea turtles are in Akumal Bay, X'Cacel Beach, and Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.

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Being on the sand can be one of the most dangerous periods of the turtles' lives as they are exposed to predators and poachers. Naturally, only one or two eggs out of one thousand will become adult sea turtles. They are spectacular creatures to see walking along the sand, but it is ILLEGAL to disrupt them in any way.

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Akumal attracts people worldwide with its beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and abundant sea life. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts can swim in the bay with the famous giant turtles and explore the shipwrecks. However, it is forbidden to touch marine animals and corals.

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Swimming with the turtles in Akumal beach is surprisingly simple. Once you are in Akumal, head straight for the beach. Ignore all tour guides trying to sell you guided 'turtle tours', as you do not need to pay anyone to do this. It is a public beach with free entry.

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May to November is the nesting season for the sea turtles in Akumal, Mexico, and when you are most likely to see them near the beach.

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Below, you'll find a list of 13 amazing places in the world to dive and swim with sea turtles in their natural habitats.
  1. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. ...
  2. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia. ...
  3. Ari Atoll, Maldives. ...
  4. Maui Island, Hawaii. ...
  5. Marsa Alam, Egypt. ...
  6. Sipadan, Malaysia. ...
  7. Cook Island Marine Reserve, Australia.


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Akumal is located 100km (62 miles) south of Cancun in the heart of the Riviera Maya. In the natural protected area you get the opportunity to snorkel and enjoy the amazing Sea Turtles and the very colorful fish at the second largest reef in the world.

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When you see a turtle coming up the beach, keep your distance, turn off any lights you are using and crouch down low. Do NOT walk closer! Always approach turtles from the side. This gives them a clear view of you and a clear path ahead of them if they want to swim away.

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