
Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 2,691 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya worth booking?
Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya is a 5-hour experience in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from $99 per person. It scores 88 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 2,691 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 88 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (2,691)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $99 per person
This incredible tour offers the experience of snorkelling with sea turtles in their natural habitat, with opportunities to see rays and brightly coloured tropical fish at the coral reef. Take a guided trail into the sub-tropical forest and visit amazing underground worlds with mysterious cenotes, marvel, snorkel and swim at the thousands of spectacular stalagmites and stalactites that surround you at every turn.
What you get
About this experience
This incredible tour offers the experience of snorkelling with sea turtles in their natural habitat, with opportunities to see rays and brightly coloured tropical fish at the coral reef. Take a guided trail into the sub-tropical forest and visit amazing underground worlds with mysterious cenotes, marvel, snorkel and swim at the thousands of spectacular stalagmites and stalactites that surround you at every turn.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Bilingual guide
- Snacks
- Round-Trip Transportation
- Snorkel Gear and life vest in all the water activities
Not included
- Conservation of the Marine Fauna - USD $20 per person
What you'll see and do
Akumal Beach
Explore the fascinating underwater world of the Mexican Caribbean on a leisurely snorkel tour in search of three of the world´s seven sea turtle species. Unbelievable visibility makes this an unforgettable experience while you view: • brightly colored tropical fish • rays • Every day we get the chance to see different species of sea turtles. Turtle sighting is guaranteed
90 minutes here · Admission included
Parque De Cenotes Yax-Muul
Then journey deep into the subtropical rainforest of the Yucatan to an exclusive nature park that is home to an extensive underground river system. Explore this unforgettable place on an easy, guided walk through huge caves and caverns. Relax, swim and snorkel in the crystal clear fresh waters of a massive cenote, and marvel at the thousands of spectacular stalagmites and stalactites that surround you at every turn.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 120 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Private Tour
Private Tour Pickup included
With Canopy Zipline & Rappel
Zipline and Rappel Add-On Pickup included
Half Day Turtles & Cenotes
Pick up included: Depending your location the pick up will be scheduled up to 2 hours before the activity starts Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, pt, en, it, fr, es, nl
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ocean Tours Mexico
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- WHAT TO BRING:
- Towel
- Comfortable, fresh clothing
- Swimsuit and Change of clothing
- Hat or cap, sunglasses, sandals or water shoes
- Money for photos, souvenirs and tips
- RECOMMENDATIONS:
- The use of sunscreen is not allowed before water activities, you can use long sleeves water shirts
- Not recommended for participants who do not have basic swimming skills (for aquatic activities)
- The given times are START TIMES for the activity. You will get a personal pick up time from your hotel.
- $20 USD Marine Park Fee
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 2,673 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
2,673 verified traveler reviews for Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic Experience – Highly Recommend!
We had a brilliant time with Ocean Tours! Swimming with the sea turtles was a truly special experience, and the cenote visit was equally fantastic. Our guide was great, and everything was well organised from start to finish. A memorable experience and definitely worth doing if you're visiting Mexico. We’d highly recommend Ocean Tours!
via Tripadvisor
Lovely day but too many unwanted photos
Lovely day. Guide very knowledgeable and even though visibility was poor and turtle beach was crowded, did manage to see a turtle, cenote was highlight, swimming in a large beautiful cave. All guides were amazing but I really object to having my photo taken all the time, I have paid to enjoy nature not have my photo taken, please stop making everything a selling opportunity. Photographer was a lovely lady, but felt I spent my day having to pose, rather than just enjoying the experience.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour!
Great tour, we've seen ~10 turtles and the tour guides made sure both us and the turtles were comfortable. The trip to the cenote was also accompanied by the guide and we were able to get a great look at the different corners of the cenote with some interesting information about it. The staff was very friendly and we were picked up on time at our hotel.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! Seeing around 10 sea turtles must have been an amazing experience! We're especially happy to hear that our guides made sure both you and the turtles were comfortable and respected. It's also great to know you enjoyed exploring the cenote and learning about its unique features. We truly appreciate your kind words about our team and hope to welcome you back for another adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Sea turtle snorkeling and cenotes was pretty good
It was a good tour the tour guide was very nice and friendly and informative. However I think the price was a little high because it was very murky water and kind of hard to see the sea turtles and other animals and although the cenote was very cool I didn’t feel like we had any real free swimming time to check it out. All in all I’m glad I tried it but I probably wouldn’t do it again.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your honest feedback! We're glad to hear you enjoyed our guide's friendliness and knowledge, as well as the beauty of the cenote. We're sorry the underwater visibility wasn't ideal during your visit. As this is a natural environment, water conditions can vary, but we understand how this affected your experience. We also appreciate your comments about the time at the cenote and the overall value of the tour. We'll take your feedback into consideration as we continue improving our experiences. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to show you these beautiful places!
via Tripadvisor
Great!
Good experience! Luis was our guide and he was fantastic! Very patient and helpful! Good energy that kept the entire group excited. We got to see a turtle even if the water wasn’t as clear.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so happy to hear that Luis made your day enjoyable with his patience, helpfulness, and positive energy. Even though the water wasn't perfectly clear, we're glad you still had the chance to see a sea turtle! We'll be sure to share your kind words with Luis. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $99 to $580
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 942
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Ocean Tours Mexico, who run 15 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 71.0 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Ocean Tours Mexico runsWhy this scores 88
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa del Carmen.
How much does Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya cost?
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Prices start at $99 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Playa del Carmen usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Playa del Carmen is not rushed.
Is Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 88 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 2,691 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Playa del Carmen, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya?
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Around 942 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Playa del Carmen can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Playa del Carmen and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Playa del Carmen within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Playa del Carmen?
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On Outty we rank every Playa del Carmen experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Ride to a life changing cenotes tour, From Playa del Carmen ATV Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote, VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Playa del Carmen?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya?
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Included: Bottled water; Bilingual guide; Snacks; Round-Trip Transportation; and Snorkel Gear and life vest in all the water activities. Not included: Conservation of the Marine Fauna - USD $20 per person. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1239 listed pickup locations in and around Playa del Carmen. Be ready about 120 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya offered in?
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It is offered in German, Russian, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish and Dutch. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya?
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Across 2,691 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Private Tour, With Canopy Zipline & Rappel, Half Day Turtles & Cenotes. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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