Is it safe to swim with turtles in Mexico?

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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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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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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Is it ethical to swim with Hawaii's sea turtles? It's perfectly ethical to watch turtles, on land and in the sea, if you're respectful. If you're lucky enough to come across a turtle on the beach or in the sea, there are a few rules to bear in mind: Always stay at least 3 metres (10 feet) away.

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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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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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You DO NOT need a tour to swim with turtles. Don't pre-book a turtle tour, as they're a big tourist trap and charge $50 for taking you to the water as you can just walk in and swim on your own. I actually recommend you bringing your own snorkel equipment to avoid paying huge rental prices ($20+).

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Each year between June and November, sea turtles land on Mexico's beaches to nest, and hatching usually occurs during the months of August, September, October and early November.

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