Private Marine Biologist–Led Turtle Snorkel Ethical & Educational

Family snorkel trip

Fantastic experience - kids learned about the marine life and enjoyed the experience.

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Class by the Sea

While it’s nice to snorkel on your own and try to spot fish and turtles, my husband and I wanted to combine education with an enjoyable swim during our recent trip to Mexico. Marine biologist Angela and Akumal Bay guide Carrie delivered just that. There was only one other person in our group and we began with a ‘class’ on the beach. Angela gave us many interesting facts about turtles and the fish we might see, and then we went into the water and swam for more than an hour. Good thing we wore sun shirts. Equipment is provided if you don’t have your own. Carrie has such a great eye for spotting turtles and fish, and that was appreciated because it was a bit wavy and the water was cloudy with sand at times. We saw about seven turtles (some may have been the same ones) and I watched a turtle surface for air five times in about a two-minute span!!! It was so exciting because usually they stay under longer between breaths. I felt very lucky. We saw beautiful fish such as French angel fish, and even watched a spotted eagle ray as we were returning to shore. We had a snack of fresh fruit supplied by Angela as she answered questions about what we saw. She had taken photos and videos, including one of a turtle with a fish attached to its shell (she explained why), and another of a turtle surfacing for air. Unfortunately, only a few turned out because water got in her camera. It really didn’t matter because the images are in our brains. 😁 It was evident Angela cares deeply about marine life and ocean preservation. We wish her well as she does her PhD that’s shark-related. She’s also a shark expert! We spent about three hours with her and highly recommend such a memorable outing.

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Angela is awesome

Angela is knowledgable and personable. She and her guide did a fantastic job of finding many species of aquatic creatures, not just turtles but also a stone fish, moray eel, conchs, lizard fish, parrot fish, etc. We also learned a lot about marine life.

Response from the operator: Oooo thank you so much!! It was a very fun snorkel!! I loved the stone fish suprise!!

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A really memorable and fun time!

This was an incredibly special experience! Angela made the whole morning feel relaxed and was so patient with my parents who hadn’t snorkelled before. She gave us lots of information about the wildlife - we saw and learned so much! If you’re going to snorkel in Akumal, you couldn’t ask for a better guide!

Response from the operator: Thank you so much!! I really appreciate you coming!!

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Knowledgeable, Personable Guide who inspires us with her love for Ocean Conservation and turtles!

Angela is the best tour guide and Marine Biologist! Our turtle snorkel and cenote tour was truly unforgettable. From start to finish, our guide made the experience seamless, fun, and incredibly informative. The day began with a marine conservation and turtle intro class on the Akumal beach. Angela was very good at sharing her passion and knowledge about marine life. We then swam alongside sea turtles—an experience that felt both peaceful and magical. Angela pointed out marine life we might have otherwise missed and shared interesting facts about the area’s ecosystems. Afterward, Angela took us to a beautiful cenote, where the crystal-clear water and dramatic rock formations created the perfect setting to relax and explore. Angela’s knowledge of the region’s nature and culture added so much depth to the visit. It never felt rushed; there was plenty of time to take photos, float, and truly appreciate the beautiful surroundings. Thank you Angela for a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and love for marine conservation. If you’re looking for a memorable way to connect with nature and learn something new along the way, a tour with Angela is an absolute must!

Response from the operator: Thank you so much!! It was a wonderful day!!!

via Tripadvisor