Mexico · TURTLE SWIM TOURS

Swimming with Turtles in Mexico: The 15 Best Tours

50 tours  Â·  from $30

Green turtles graze the seagrass at Akumal most mornings and the rules are strict about how close you get. These 15 cover the guided swims, the reef combinations and the cenote add-ons, priced and clear about park fees.

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya - Guides make the difference
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Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

1.Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,039 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Start early for guided snorkeling at Akumal Beach, where you may see sea turtles, rays, squid, and tropical fish. Then walk through cave passages and swim in the clear freshwater of Parque de Cenotes Yax-Muul. Guides such as Max, Marina, Daniel, and Alma lead the water activities, with gear, snacks, transport, and hotel pickup included.

“Lukas was our guide, and we had an amazing day! He was knowledgeable and funny, and with his instructions our group was able to keep the water very clear. We were able to see 4 or 5 turtles up close with great water visibility. The cenote was awesome, the reflections of the ripples off the cave walls were a very cool sight that we won’t forget soon. Empanada snack at the end was tasty!”

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Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote tour - Akumal Bay and the turtle swim
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Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote tour

2.Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,706 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $129

Spend a full day with Ocean Tours Mexico visiting Tulum, snorkeling with turtles and rays in Akumal, and swimming through the Yax-Muul cenote. Guides such as Yul, Suly, Alejandro, Mimi, and Arturo are praised for friendly, relaxed help. Hotel pickup, gear, snacks, water, lunch, and entrance fees are included, but bring $35 for the government fee.

“My wife and I just had the most incredible experience on this excursion, and we owe so much of it to our amazing tour guide, Alejandro. From start to finish, he went above and beyond to make sure we had the trip of a lifetime. Swimming with the sea turtles in Akumal Bay was absolutely breathtaking. Alejandro knew exactly where to take us, and within minutes we were gliding alongside these gentle, majestic creatures in crystal-clear water. It was one of those pinch-me moments you never forget. He was also very mindful about respecting the turtles and the environment, which we really appreciated. The cenote visit was pure magic. Stepping…”

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5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling: Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, Cenote - Getting comfortable in the water before the boat heads out
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5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling: Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, Cenote

3.5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling: Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, Cenote

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,678 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $79

Spend about 2.5 to 3.5 hours with Total Snorkel Cancun, visiting a reef, two MUSA statue areas, turtle habitat, a shipwreck, and a cenote. Guides such as Daisy, Chuy, Mauricio, and Kiko help beginners feel safe, while small boats, changing sea conditions, and limited time at each stop require good planning.

“First time snorkeling never done anything like this before, I was a little nervous they gave great instructions and allowed us to practice close to the shore Daisy was a great instructor and guide, I had an amazing time, I got to challenge myself to swim lower Juan was a great captain and munsay was great with capturing photos, it was fun and a great work out! Thank you!!!”

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Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch - Akumal Beach and the turtle swim
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Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch

4.Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,222 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Travel by air-conditioned van from Cancun or the Riviera Maya to a cool underground cenote, then swim from a boat toward Akumal Beach while looking for turtles, coral, fish, and rays. Guides such as Omar, Iker, Andrea, and Paulina lead the outings. Lunch and beach time follow at Punta Venado Beach Club.

“Swimming with the turtles was amazing! This was also outr 3rd cenote and this was likely our favorite one. Beautiful, mysterious space with lots of interesting passages, including a few tight squeezes. Very clean water and incredible history. Our guide, Omar, even had us sit in the dark for one minute and listen to the space around us - a very surreal experience. The lunch at the end was a nice cap to an amazing day. About Omar (and our driver, Julio) - they are the best! We have had MANY guides over the years and Omar is knowledgeable, fun, and very personable. I highly recommend this tour!”

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Full Day Tulum Ruins Tour Cenote and Swimming with Sea Turtles - Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich is the day’s surprise
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Full Day Tulum Ruins Tour Cenote and Swimming with Sea Turtles

5.Full Day Tulum Ruins Tour Cenote and Swimming with Sea Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,171 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $131

Spend about nine hours visiting Tulum, swimming through Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, and snorkeling at Akumal Beach. Your day includes transport from Playa del Carmen, lunch, water, equipment, and guides for each stop. Guides such as Nancy, Yaris, Oto, and Pablo have earned strong praise, though the turtle swim can feel crowded.

“This was a very nice day out. Our guides, Oscar and Cesar were great, friendly, professional, and very nice. The Mayan ruins had no shade so be prepared for blazing sun and lots of walking in it. Turtle swim and Cenote swim were awesome. I did have a slight panic attack while swimming with the turtles, but our tour guide and turtle guides handled it amazingly, calmed me down enough for me to do it and stayed with me in the water. If it wasn't for Oscar, I would have missed out in seeing the turtles. Cenote water is very cold at first but you get used to it. Lunch…”

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With Turtles, Shipwreck, Cenote, and Reef and Transport Included - Shallow-water practice for first-time snorkelers
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With Turtles, Shipwreck, Cenote, and Reef and Transport Included

6.With Turtles, Shipwreck, Cenote, and Reef and Transport Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,102 reviews · 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.) · from $79

Swim among Cancun’s reefs, shipwreck, cenote, underwater museum, fish, and possible sea turtles with a group of no more than 10. Guides such as Daisy, Chuy, Piña, and Captain Juan help beginners feel safe. Hotel transport, equipment, water, and insurance are included, but add $20 for dock tax and about $80 for optional photos and video.

“omg AMAZING. we swam with the turtles, stingrays, so many fish. pufferfish, barracudas, lobsters in crystal clear turquoise water-it was gorgeous. loved our tour guide Pina (pineapple), so friendly. photographer got so many beautiful shots and videos of us to remember (and show off) the magnificent moments. i’ve been on many snorkelling excursions and this was THE best one, i don’t know how it’ll be topped”

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The Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour - Finding the dock without a stressful start
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The Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour

7.The Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,041 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

Cruise Cozumel’s coast with guides such as Alex, Roberto, Roy, or Emilio, stopping at reefs, a turtle habitat, El Cielo’s starfish sandbar, and Cielito. Snorkel gear, fresh ceviche, fruit, soft drinks, and limited alcoholic drinks are included. Allow four hours, arrive early, and bring a towel and dry clothes.

“What an awesome experience. It was everything I hoped it would be. The guides Roy and Emilio were fun, informed and safe. We could not have asked for a better day.”

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4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán - Reef snorkeling, with turtles as the hopeful prize
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4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán

8.4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 608 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $77

Spend four hours aboard a catamaran with a small group of up to 22 people. Snorkel Cozumel’s reefs, look for turtles, nurse sharks, rays, barracuda, and starfish, then relax at El Cielo or Cielito with ceviche, fruit, and drinks. Crew members may include Leo, David, Peter, or Little Turtle.

“This was incredible!!! Leo and the Poseidon crew are such good hosts. Had the time of our lives. Saw so much sea life.. sea turtles, mantarays, sharks, stingrays..:. Food was superb.”

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Private Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote Adventure - Tulum: Maya ruins above the Caribbean
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Private Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote Adventure

9.Private Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 581 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $375

Start with Tulum’s cliff-top Maya ruins, then snorkel at Akumal Beach and swim through a crystal-clear cenote. Your private group gets hotel pickup, transport, equipment, lunch, bottled water, and a bilingual guide. Guides such as Claudia, Alma, JP, and Carlos have helped families make the most of this full day.

“Great tour! Excellent guide and the photos were terrific. We weren't rushed at any point... would do this again and recommend it highly!”

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From Cozumel: Starfish, Stingrays and the Turtle Sanctuary - Meeting at Marina Cozumel ASIPONA
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From Cozumel: Starfish, Stingrays and the Turtle Sanctuary

10.Starfish, Stingrays and the Turtle Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 455 reviews · from $52

Spend four hours snorkeling near Cozumel with guides such as Nicholas, Andy, Gaspar, and Miguel. Visit El Cielo, El Cielito, and Turtle Bay, then enjoy drinks and a snack, often ceviche, in shallow clear water. The tour suits beginners and families, but bring sun cover since sunscreen cannot be reapplied after departure.

“It was super, the captain was really friendly and knew the best spots, we saw amazing views that cant compete with other activities.”

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Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch - Tulum ruins: dramatic views and a hot two hours
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Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch

11.Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 446 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $189

This 6.5-hour Cancun Adventures tour links Tulum’s Maya ruins, Cenote el Sueño, Akumal turtle snorkeling, and lunch at Punta Venado Beach Club. Guides such as Felix, Mario, Paulina, and David have been praised for clear history and friendly care. Expect an early pickup, bumpy roads, late lunch, and a maximum group of 12.

“This was an amazing trip; well organized with an excellent tour guide who did all the activities with us. We loved covering all 3 experiences in one day. Only downside is that we were very hungry after 6 hours and felt that a snack after the 1st excursion (that we didn't like) wasn't enough; we would have preferred a sandwich and fruit after the 2nd excursion. Having lunch at the end of the day on the beach was welcomed and delicious!”

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Swim with sea turtles - Meeting your guide at Akumal Beach
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Swim with sea turtles

12.Swim with sea turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 445 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Meet at Akumal Beach for a private snorkeling tour in water about 2 meters deep. Guides such as Santiago, Angel, Francisco, and Orlando help you spot turtles, rays, squid, and fish while keeping a respectful distance. Equipment, entrance fees, insurance, showers, bathrooms, and lockers are included.

“Great snorkeling experience! Angel was the best guide - we saw at least 8 turtles, 3 rays and countless colorful fish. It was just the five of us with Angel - which was perfect!”

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Private Turtles & Cenotes Adventure - A freshwater cenote beneath the rainforest
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Private Turtles & Cenotes Adventure

13.Private Turtles & Cenotes Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 424 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $310

Start with private pickup from your hotel, Airbnb, or condo, then snorkel at Turtle Bay near Puerto Aventuras in search of three sea turtle species. Afterward, swim in a freshwater cenote surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites. Guides such as Rachelle and Alejandra tailor the pace, while all gear, snacks, water, and transport are included.

“This tour was full of incredible memories from start to finish. Rachelle was the very best guide and we loved the photos that Luisa took for us. Everyone went above and beyond to make it a great experience. The food was amazing and rachelle was so friendly and knowledgeable. We saw multiple sea turtles. One of the turtles was so close to me coming up to the surface I almost got a kiss. 😂 Our driver Esdras was very good also. Highly recommend!”

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Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach - Why a private guide matters in a busy bay
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Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach

14.Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 364 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $65

Meet Darwin or Marlene at Akumal Beach for a private, open-ocean snorkel in the protected Akumal Bay circuit. Your guide supplies gear, life jacket, locker access, and close help in the water. You are guaranteed to see green turtles, with rays, tropical fish, and reef life possible. Photos and video are available for an extra cost.

“Darwin was an amazing guide! He was so helpful, knowledgeable and friendly you couldn’t ask for more in a guide!! We saw over 15 turtles and had the best time I would recommend it to anyone.”

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From Cancun: Tulum and Akumal Cenote and Turtle Swim Tour - Reaching Tulum before the heat builds
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From Cancun: Tulum and Akumal Cenote and Turtle Swim Tour

15.Tulum and Akumal Cenote and Turtle Swim Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 289 reviews · 10 hours · from $104

This 10-hour trip combines Tulum’s Maya ruins, a swim at Canamayte’s Mariposa Cenote, buffet lunch, and guided snorkeling at Akumal. English and Spanish guides such as Susana, Jesus, Mauricio, and Jorge lead the day. Hotel pickup, lockers, life jackets, water, and entry to the cenote are included, but conservation fees are extra.

“The turtle swim was excellent and was better than expected, we went in the afternoon. It wasnt to busy and were in a group of 5 and a dive guide. Lots of turtles close up and a stingray. Lots of fish and a lobster aswell.”

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