The most common sea turtles you will find in Akumal are green sea turtles. Of course, this has all changed thanks to COVID19. All of this is helping to protect the natural environment while still giving the local people some income, something very much needed right now. You DO NOT need a tour to swim with turtles. For example in case of bad weather and reschedule Pass through and here you are! One of the benefits of people not traveling for several months in 2020 is that the bay, and its turtle inhabitants have been able to get a, We would be happy to take you and your group to swim with the sea turtles in Akumal. This was a huge hit for locals and caused a lot of local unrest. Congratulations! The gear is disinfected and washed carefully every day. This is less of a problem during the winter season, from December to April/May, which is normally drier, but I would always bring repellent, just in case. you will find soft sand and palm trees, supplying relieving natural shade; pristine water that apparently not even the daily crowd are able to spoil; and delicious local restaurants where you can taste typical food. The beach is closed during the months of September and February. If you are snorkeling stay horizontal, dont chase the turtles or touch them, and try to not stir up the sand. Here they are: Akumal Caribe mid-range property right on turtle beachAkumal bay Beach and Wellness Resort on Turtle beach but far from the most crowded part luxury propertySecret Akumal Riviera Maya All-inclusive Adult only luxury property, has a private entry- the hotel is not on Turtle beach. We truly provide the Mayan Riviera's best quality in service and tours, and we always ensure the total satisfaction of our clients. Once you are on the road towards the beach you will either park at the very beginning, or you can drive through the arch on the way to the Caleta Yalku and will find other two parking lots, one is by the hour (20MXN/hour and the other one is 50MXN for the entire day). Either way, please make sure to read signage and follow instructions accordingly. If the service is cancelled by the supplier. Things to be aware of when swimming with turtles in Akumal, stuff. I hope you will join me in this exciting neverending journey that is life. As the water erosions the underwater caves, their roofs collapse giving birth to cenotes. In any case remember that if you want to swim on your own you can do it, just do it with respect to rules, both made by humans and by mother nature. Can you point me to a reference? They only come up every now and then to breathe and put their cute little heads outside the water, but only for a matter of seconds. It is up to you and your swimming abilities to decide if you want to swim by yourself or use a guide. However, what makes this place so alluring, and, What I dont like about this beach is the multitude of people, there are just too many. Observe the turtles from afar. It really is that simple. Youll be glad to know that swimming in Akumal Bay is absolutely free. The water is not deep, and if you like to dive in you can do so easily. In this snorkel tour we explore the warm and shallow underwater world of Akumal Bay where we will swim with sea turtles in their natural habitat. As you can see there is an area thats limited by buoys. As well as environmental issues, there were some other things going on. However, I believe the crowd is a very small price to pay for such a beautiful experience. Do not touch, chase or harass the turtles in any way or form. We have highly-trained guides available in English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, and Italian. In Mexico, turtles are protected since 1990. You can rent a lifejacket from any dive store for 95 Pesos (approx. However, if you rent only the equipment (75 for life jacket plus 75 for snorkel gear) you can keep it for the entire day. Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Seriously. However, you will find soft sand and palm trees, supplying relieving natural shade; pristine water that apparently not even the daily crowd are able to spoil; and delicious local restaurants where you can taste typical food. This means all public parks, and beaches are closed to the public. Swim with Sea Turtles & Cenotes t-shirt ($25 USD). I think that paying one of the guides on the beach is actually the best way to do it cause then he or she can tell you stories and info about their beautiful country during the tour. During the last ice age, the Yucatan Peninsula was a huge coral reef covered by water. If you really dont want to pay there are ways of accessing the beach without paying but be warned if seen by a local there is a good chance they will let you know their unhappiness with you. A short 5 minutes boat ride will be included to go to the turtles area. If you are coming from Playa del Carmen, you will need to pass under the bridge with the sign for Akumal and do a U-turn back towards Playa, turning right into Akumal just before you dip under the same bridge. Do you know whats even more incredible? However, if you have the intention to eat, you can enter through the Beach restaurants on the right side and you will have the entrance included in your restaurant bill unless you want to rent beach beds and sunshades which have an extra cost. Limestone is very porous, allowing water particles to flow through it, forming underground rivers. Our team guarantees an excellent, high-quality service and ensures the total satisfaction of our client-friends. The current situation is much improved, which is why we felt good about returning to Akumal. If a state is in red that means they have high case numbers and are in full lockdown. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); nice report. We still learn a lot about the local flora, fauna, and culture simply by speaking to locals whenever we can. We have over 10 years of experience in operating tours as Ocean Tours started in year 2005. If youre staying in any of the surrounding areas you can walk to Akumal Bay enter through the pathway thats just past the arch that leads to the beach. You're awesome for doing it! This tour is rated as one of the best snorkeling in Cancun and Riviera Maya activities. You can take a guided tour with an authorized guide or swim on your own. Me and my friend are going to riviera maya in two weeks and akumal is def on the list. Colectivo willcost only 35 pesos (approx. Pay attention, Ive seen people accidentally kicking a turtle with their fins while adjusting their mask or other parts of their equipment. They even stationed police and military there to enforce this closure. This paid off because we saw turtles only after our second hour of snorkeling. PRIVACY POLICY Located approximately 90 km from Cancun International Airport, Akumal is one of the most popular beaches on the Riviera Maya, mainly for its natural resources. Paradise is at hand's reach! But COVID19 has brought about many changes in the world and one of them is the situation in Akumal. The weird rock formations in the middle of the bay are not natures rest stops for you to stand on while you take a breather or selfies. Sea Turtles are photo-tactical, which means they are attracted by the light. Discover the wonders of Akumal Bay and explore ancient Mayan Ruins. You will be approached by various tour guides asking if you want to do a tour to swim with turtles, feel free to ignore them and keep walking. The Akumal turtles dont want to eat your sunscreen. However, what makes this place so alluring, andtherefore so populated, is the fact that only a few arm strokes away from the shore, you can see an abundance of turtles swimming, having their lunch, or just hanging out pacifically, with no fear at all of the human presence. One of our guides will escort you through Akumal Bay. If they are amber. You cannot go through there anymore, but you can walk on another few meters, and there is beach access next to a dive shop. 2005 - 2022 Ocean Tours Mexico. Theyre beautiful coral heads that can display a rainbow of colors and are home to other marine animals. The bay is full of teenage turtles who live here until they become adults. Born and raised in Italy, I have been living in Mexico for 7 years as an expatriate until I decided to leave and explore the world, starting from other parts of Mexico, with lots of bags and a camera. I am sure the rules they implemented are more of a business than a preservation issue, but it serves both purposes, I guess. The beach is open from 9am to 5pm, but my recommendation is to be there right when they open. If the client does not show on the date and time of the tour. When the sun went down behind the jungle, it turned into a rainbow of colors, from pink, to orange and yellow. At all times, our team is there for you with knowledge, motivation, attention, and trust. While in Akumal check out Yal-Ku lagoon. Subject to change without notice, consult your sales advisor, Akumal Riviera Maya, The crystal-clear waters of these caves offer perfect visibility. I would never actually go to a place where turtles or any other species are kept and raised in captivity; in this case, they are just free and available for you to enjoy from a distance, I might add. And those that are visiting the turtles in Akumal are doing so in a far less harmful and more controlled way. Sea turtles are beautiful, gentle creatures that are a pure delight to hang around with and if youre lucky enough to be on this coast its easy to get caught up in the hype about swimming with turtles in their natural habitat. Throughout the day our guides will take lots of photos of you swimming with Akumal turtles and exploring the magical cenotes. At this point, the government decided to take action and they shut down the bay completely. Is this still true that its free to enter the public beach and why is it closed in February. More about the Current COVID-19 situation in Cancun, Everything You Need To Know About The Akumal Turtles, The most common sea turtles you will find in Akumal are green sea turtles. You are still able to snorkel in Akumal, just not in these areas. Even more important be careful with stingrays (yes, these guys that killed Steve Irwin)! Tour includes:Certified guide, snorkeling equipment, lockers, showers, water. Mosquito repellent if you wish to stay till dusk and after, otherwise, mosquitoes will have you for dinner, and it wont be pleasant. There are now two areas completely forbidden for visitors to enter. The sky was at its best, like a beautiful colorful painting, priceless. And lastly please remember to stay 6 ft away from the turtles, use a rash guard, pee in the restroom, and don't use sunscreen. This beautiful bay is their home and they have been there for far longer than us! It was actually founded by a scuba diver as a base for him and other divers. Trees, plants and water came from there. It is probably about 3m/9ft deep. Due to illness, presenting a doctor's report. The U-shaped bay and coral reef provide them with shelter, with the reef protecting everything inside the bay itself. The situation was complex and to really understand what was happening on Akumal Beach there are a few important points to know. We gazed at it, from both inside and outside the water, taking turns to keep an eye on the stuff that we had left on the beach, but without losing sight of the show nature provided for us. After my last swim, which was actually the most amazing, I took my face out of the water, pulled off my mask and looked up. Phone (52) 984 875 9031 Please contact us if you are ready for this adventure, and we will be delighted to answer any additional questions. You finally made it to Riviera Maya, and youve probably got Swimming with Turtles on your list of things to do in Akumal. I know this may seem a little unfair, but its actually a blessing for this area and the Akumal turtles. That was luxury indeed! Posted on Last updated: February 23, 2022. These are not rocks. Help spread the word. clear fresh waters of a massive cenote, and marvel at the thousands of spectacular stalagmites and Copyright 2022 Anna Everywhere | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, 20 Best Traditional Polish Foods You'll Love, How I Became Fluent in Spanish Fast in 6 weeks, Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Italy, Where to Stay in Amsterdam: Best Neighborhoods - By a Local, Best Travel Strollers: Honest & Updated Reviews, Marrakech Travel Tips: What to Know Not to Get Disappointed, How to Take Good Pictures of Yourself When Traveling Solo, Things to Do in Verona, Italy - Tips from a Local, What To Expect If Youre Moving To Sydney Australia. If you are snorkeling, stay horizontal, dont chase the turtles or touch them, and try to not stir up the sand. ), Along Carretera 307 Cancun-Tulum, Akumal is located 40 km from Playa del Carmen, on the way to. We love what we do and we want to share these amazing experiences with you! FAQs Im a Polish-born citizen of the world. On top of raising kids and a cat. It means there are far fewer people visiting them. Fishing, hunting, or poaching turtles is now a Federal offense. Whether youre swimming alone or with a guide, please remember these tips. From there its just a couple of hundred meters down to the beach. Because of this protection, most predators stay outside of the reef. Amazing, isnt it? If youre not here yet or well on your way, please contact us immediately, and well gladly correct this situation for you. Every service and every part of the tour is directly operated by Ocean Tours. Upon arriving in Akumal Bay, youll find a system of orange and white buoys has been installed. You also need to wear fins, mask life jacket and the group needs to be less than 6 people and stay in the water no longer than 1 hour approximately. Our transportation is very safe and comfortable, and our drivers are very experienced. All rights reserved. Pay attention, Ive seen people accidentally kicking a turtle with their fin, while adjusting their mask or other parts of their equipment. They live in the bay while they are still juveniles. Now, Im a successful digital nomad who visited over 90 countries on 7 continents and lived in 8 countries. Enjoy the warm caribbean water while snorkeling around the bay in search of many interesting fish and corals. Hello there! Anyway, as I mentioned, the beautiful, friendly turtles made me forget about the unpleasant encounter, and the already beautiful day spent with my friends turned out to be amazing, ending up with a lovely dinner under the stars, in one of the restaurants on the beach. Working with small groups of clients, max. If youre coming with children or want to have more privacy you can obviously get a taxi to Akumal, but colectivos are equally safe so dont be afraid of them! To the Mayan, the depths of the Earth were full of life. There are a few lovely hotels in Akumal Beach where you can enjoy waking up with your toes in the sand. Snorkel with Whale Sharks in Cancun on our most-popular tour! Selecting a guided tour can be a bit overwhelming, so we like to recommend The Akumal Dive Shop and Akumal Dive Center for their excellent service, facilities and customer satisfaction. My favorite way to enjoy a destination! Each of them is uniquely decorated by Nature. That said, lodging, parking, life vests and snorkel gear are not free nor is the use of restrooms so do bring your pesos to pay for the use of these facilities or equipment. Also when you spot the turtles you need to keep a distance of 3 mt and for a period no longer than 5 minutes. You can follow the people to get to the beach or simply continue straight and see some signs for the beach. Hello traveler! So that means no swimming with dolphins or any other sea animal in captivity. There are two large penned areas assigned for tour operators (pink and purple on the map) and one area that is always off limits year round as part of the bay protection program (black on the map). A group of divers recently discovered the connection between both underground river systems in the Riviera Maya area, so adding up to a whopping total 153.6 Km, the Sac Actn System (white cave in Mayan) became the longest in the World as far as we know. They have enough in the water and dont need our unnatural stuff. But over the years the impact that mass tourism brought to the bay caused a lot of damage. We got there late in the afternoon, which turned out to be just perfect. For those of you here for the first time, we at Kay Tours only support. Whether its your first visit or your 20th consecutive year joining us in Akumal, youll find a myriad of options, indications and of course, opinions about who, how and where you can swim with turtles in Akumal Bay. Life jackets are technically mandatory these days (they werent before), but its not an official rule. There are parks that offer a similar opportunity like Xcaret, but its not entirely their natural habitat, it costs money to enter and its slightly a cheese place since most visitors are groups from resorts in the area. So that means no swimming with dolphins or any other sea animal in captivity. Then we go for a Cenote swim, an amazing adventure where we explore the underground mysteries of the most beautiful Mayan Cenotes and caves in Yucatan. They live in the bay while they are still juveniles. Our first concern is to give our clients a unique experience that they can remember for years to come. The water at dusk was warm and inviting and the sky was dark blue, getting ready for sunset. Quintana Roo, Mxico The colectivo (little bus) will take you either from Playa del Carmen or from Tulum for a few pesos, and will drop you off at the bridge. I always search for deserted beaches, which are abundant among all the, What do you need when you go to Akumal beach. Snorkel and swim in tthe Mayan Cenotes! Swimming with turtles in Akumal is a much more authentic experience. Eco-friendly natural sunscreen for face and body. As the whole of Quintana Roo is currently in Amber, this means we are only allowed to operate essential services. The. I love to watch them floating with such elegance and lightness, donning an angry-looking face; they are also huge, and some of them have a few beautiful yellowish-green remoras on their backs. It normally doesn't close (it was closed on Tuesdays usually). Everyone's invited to join! You can learn more about our tour, Looking for other ethical marine life tours then look into visiting, in order to be the first to know about any updates. Tell the driver youre going to Akumal Puente and hell drop you off on the other side of the road that you can cross using the bridge. Where did you see that? Of course, this has all changed thanks to COVID19. Not even the reef-safe stuff. You really need to include this experience in your plans, even if you are just staying for a week. Why did they close the public access to Akumal beach? Dont pre-book a turtle tour, as theyre a big tourist trap and charge $50 for taking you to the water as you can just walk in and swim on your own. Whether you join our snorkeling tour to Akumal, or do a tour with another company, there are some things you need to be aware of to minimize your environmental footprint on this site and the turtles who live there. Akumal Bay is famous for its turtles, rays, spotted eagle rays, shoals of colorful fish, nurse sharks, barracudas, lobsters and corals at a very short distance from shore. Nobody cant tell you that you cannot swim, stay away from the limited area, and you will probably be able to see turtles anyway. If a date change is requested at least 24 hours prior to the date of the tour and a new date Boundless Roads is by no means liable for any purchase of tours, tickets and any other online reservation that are made with any third party provider. Thank you for your comment. You are entering the ocean, an entirely different habitat where even the most avid swimmer may quickly tire or find themselves in a bind. If you are coming from Tulum, just turn right before the bridge. Our professional guides are certified in First-Aid. After 7 years of living in Cancun, I have decided to leave my job and explore my beloved Mexico and the rest of this beautiful world, starting from South America, while sharing my travel stories and offering useful travel tips about traveling as a solo female traveler and digital nomad. The entrance fee is $100 pesos ($5 USD) and in fairness, it does give you access to bathrooms, lockers, and showers. No peeing in the water. So there you have it guys, now you know how to swim with turtles the right way in Akumal in a nutshell. DISCLOSURE POLICY, COPYRIGHT 2016 - 2022 Isabella Biava - Boundless Roads | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Click the titles below to expand each section. In Boundless Roads I share travel stories and practical information about the places I visit and the nomadic lifestyle. Even if you are not such an experienced snorkeler or if you are not so comfortable swimming the guide will be there every step of the way even holding your hand if needed. worlds 7 sea turtle species. In this post, I am going to share with you everything we know about the current situation in Akumal and how you are still able to swim with the turtles in Akumal during COVID19. This seaweed is the food of choice for the growing turtles making Akumal Bay the perfect choice for these green sea turtles. Don't miss this great opportunity. What I would do then, is to walk further south ( your right) a little further from the restaurants area where it seems to be a little quieter. DO NOT LEAVE your important belongings unattended (as applies to anywhere else in the world! What is more convenient depends on how much time you are going to spend there. If you have any other questions regarding visiting Akumal please comment below and Ill try to help you as much as I can! Is the Yal-Ku lagoon completely closed to tourists from September? All you really have to do is take a look at some of the Trip Advisor reviews to see that before COVID19 there were some issues with aggression and pressure from locals, being made to pay to enter the public beach, and many other horror stories from holidaymakers being forced into tours. They use the brightest light as guidance, which is usually the reflection of the moon on the water. If you like you can purchase a digital copy with your personalized images. They dont like it. Take the memories of your snorkel experience back home for $50 USD (individual, couple, family or group price). Find the best car rental deals and explore around freely, at your own pace. Snorkel with Amazing Sea Turltes in Mexico's Akumal Bay (Turtle Bay), in their natural habitat! When you get to the beach area, after the arch, there is a cute souvenirs shop on the right-hand side, along with the entrance to a hotel. Plus you're putting money directly into locals' pockets so they can afford to support their families doing what they love. Akumal Turtle Beach is one of the most popular among all the beaches you can visit along the Riviera Maya, mainly because from there you can swim with turtles that are enjoying freely their natural habitat! I am an Italian expatriate with a Mexican permanent Residence. Getting to Akumal from Playa del Carmen is easy. When I visited Akumal for the first time I was convinced they were manta rays and I swam quite close to them which was a big mistake. At present there is only one entrance to Akumal Beach at the Centro Ecologico Akumal, if not going via a hotel. We provide photography services in this adventure and your photos will be available for purchase at the end of the tour. However the land next to the beach is available to buy and much of it has been bought by private companies, including hotels and resorts. At this point, they will leave the bay for the open water to find a mate. It seems to be in our human nature to want to touch everything. Hover over the arrows to browse the best snorkeling in Cancun activities.