Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 374 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach worth booking?
Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach is a 1-hour experience in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from $1100 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 374 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (374)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $1100 per person
PRIVATE TOUR: We do NOT mix groups. When you book a place, it will be solely for your family. THE GUIDE IS A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFIED IN DIVING (DIVEMASTER) AND GRADUATED IN BIOLOGY FROM THE AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF CAMPEC
What you get
- Lifejacket
- Akumal National Park Access Fee
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Showers and restrooms
- HIGH QUALITY PHOTO AND VIDEO PACKAGE AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTRA COST
- CONANP official circuit
About this experience
PRIVATE TOUR: We do NOT mix groups. When you book a place, it will be solely for your family. THE GUIDE IS A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFIED IN DIVING (DIVEMASTER) AND GRADUATED IN BIOLOGY FROM THE AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF CAMPECHE. We are passionate about the sea. The service is personalized. It is as important to ensure the safety of you as it is to ensure the safety of the turtles. For us it is serious work to conserve species and abide by the regulations. This is an activity that guarantees you to observe green turtles within their natural habitat, remember that they are free animals and therefore wild. You will be advised in the use of snorkeling equipment, swimming skills are required. Akumal is a small community that gratefully welcomes its visitors. Akumal Bay is a SHRINE, a unique place in the world and is HOME to Turtles. This is a safe space for everyone. TO BOOK A GROUP UNDER 4 PEOPLE CONTACT MARINE LIFE AKUMAL MX DIRECTLY.
What's included
Included
- Lifejacket
- Akumal National Park Access Fee
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Showers and restrooms
- HIGH QUALITY PHOTO AND VIDEO PACKAGE AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTRA COST
- CONANP official circuit
- lockers
Not included
- Transportation
- Parking fee
- Gratuities
- Rental of chairs or beds
- Bottled water
- Snacks
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Playa del Carmen
From the Cancun-Tulum Federal Highway head to Calle Reforma Agraria until crossing the WHITE ARCH that says: "Las Casitas Akumal" and advance 200 m. to the main entrance of Tsuuk-Akumal National Park, there your guide will wait for you. We do NOT meet anyone at the 7eleven store.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
From the Cancun-Tulum Federal Highway head to Calle Reforma Agraria until crossing the WHITE ARCH that says: "Las Casitas Akumal" and advance 200 m. to the main entrance of Tsuuk-Akumal National Park, there your guide will wait for you. We do NOT meet anyone at the 7eleven store.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Marine Life Akumal MX
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- If the traveler has a disability you should inform the Guide in advance
- If the traveler is autistic you should inform the Guide in advance
- If the traveler does NOT know how to swim you must inform the Guide in advance
- If the traveler informs the guide in advance, we can provide personalized attention for each case
- To book a group of less than 4 people contact MARINE LIFE AKUMAL MX (marinelifeakumal.mx@gmail.com)
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 374 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
5 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
374 verified traveler reviews for Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Darwin made this an unforgettable family snorkel
Darwin was an amazing guide. He was brilliant with both of our daughters (7 and 10), particularly the younger, but took care of all of us. We had a morning session at 9am and were incredibly lucky — we saw more turtles than I could count, plus stingrays and lots of other fish. That was no doubt helped by being a family of four rather than part of one of the bigger groups. We thought the experience was well worth the cost. Darwin was also really helpful, contacting us the day before to make sure we had all the information for a smooth meet-up.
via Tripadvisor
Perfect end to our Akumal vacation
My family and I had a wonderful time snorkeling with the turtles. Darwin led a great tour and gave us many opportunities to observe numerous turtles and other sea life in their natural habitats. He did a great job instructing us throughout to ensure my family and the turtles alike had a safe and enjoyable experience. We got extremely lucky and saw 12 turtles with the help of Darwin!
via Tripadvisor
Perfect experience
Darwin was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Perfect experience.
via Tripadvisor
Majestic, awe-inspiring experience!
Highly recommend this phenomenal experience for anyone, particularly families with young children. We took our two and four-year-old and they absolutely loved it. Darwin is very communicative and informative, preparing you for what to expect. Everything went smoothly from start to finish! He’s extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and trustworthy. He was also incredible with our young children, demonstrating how to wear their little masks and teaching them about the marine life. He had them hold a ring float and towed them around, including one of us as we held our youngest. We saw plenty of turtles and even from above, our youngest could see them perfectly, esp as they surface. Also saw lots of fish! There were lots of people and other tours happening but Darwin made it easy for us to navigate and feel comfortable. After, he gave both our children a carved turtle necklace they loved. We walked around the little shops and bought more souvenirs before taking a taxi back to our hotel. We have wonderful GoPro footage and memories our girls will enjoy for a lifetime! We are grateful to Darwin for his excellent service and providing an experience our family absolutely loved—a true highlight of our trip! **If you go, please DO NOT wear sunscreen! You will be in a nature reserve and sunscreen is extremely harmful to the wildlife and ecosystem—it is prohibited. Darwin reminds you of this as well. Our life jackets covered our backs and our children wore swim hats. You can also wear a swim shirt. We didn’t burn! I saw a few people using spray sunscreen secretly which is not only harmful to the environment but the worse for your skin bc it’s alcohol-based. Please care for the ocean!
via Tripadvisor
Great sea turtle experience
Our trip guide, Darwin, was fantastic (5/5). He spent time explaining all of the wildlife and worked very hard at finding sea turtles and sting rays. We felt very comfortable and safe during the entire experience. The only downside was just the number of other groups nearby which is understandable but made it a little awkward. We were a little late so that may have affected the amount of people snorkeling at the same time. It was physically moderately strenuous so if you’re not a good swimmer, it might not be for you.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 2+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 131
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa del Carmen.
How much does Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach cost?
+
Prices start at $1100 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 Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach take?
+
Plan for about 1 hour 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 Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 374 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Playa del Carmen, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach?
+
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 Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 2. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 1-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach?
+
Around 131 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?
+
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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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 Chichen Itza from Cancun : Cenote, Valladolid and Mayan Cuisine, Chichén Itzá, Cenote and Valladolid with Lunch and transportation, From Playa del Carmen ATV Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote. 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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach.
Pick your date
