Swim with sea turtles
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 453 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Swim with sea turtles worth booking?
Swim with sea turtles is a 1.3-hour experience in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from $45 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 453 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (453)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $45 per person
The sighting of the sea turtle is a unique activity in the world and with the mandatory equipment by the authorities and with my experience I guarantee you an extraordinary visit of a natural and sustainable activity.
What you get
- bathrooms and showers
- Entrance to the beach
- All Fees and Taxes
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- snorkeling activity insurance
- lockers
About this experience
The sighting of the sea turtle is a unique activity in the world and with the mandatory equipment by the authorities and with my experience I guarantee you an extraordinary visit of a natural and sustainable activity.
What's included
Included
- bathrooms and showers
- Entrance to the beach
- All Fees and Taxes
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- snorkeling activity insurance
- lockers
Not included
- Photography
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Playa del Carmen
Reception at the entrance of Akumal and together with the guide we go to the parking lot
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Reception at the entrance of Akumal and together with the guide we go to the parking lot
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, it, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Akumal Ecological Guides
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 453 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
453 verified traveler reviews for Swim with sea turtles. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing experience
We had a lovely guide called Mariam. She outlined the rules and safety info before we headed out to the water. It was quite busy 10am when we went and lots of people were around the turtles. She took us out to the coral area to see the fish which was great. The coral was lovely and we saw a variety of fish. We then went back to the area where turtles were eating seagrass. We saw about 5 turtles and 2 of them came up for air right next to us. It was amazing.
via Tripadvisor
You do not go on a boat...
You do not go on a boat you swim out. I accidentally booked for two told the instructor when I got there he instructed me to submit a request through the app but denied it. They lied and said they paid for the equipment previously, but we're paying/getting the equipment in front of us. He even told the equipment guy I wasn't swimming because I dont know how to. He try to come out and convince me and I told him no I was scared. He kept asking if I was married
Response from the operator: Sentimos que haya tenido miedo de entrar , le mencioné que las políticas de cancelación para regresar el dinero son 24 horas antes o cuando cancelamos por mal clima , la bahia de akumal estaba super y su hijo vio las tortugas , peces y hasta mantarayas .
via Viator
It was a great...
It was a great experience, had to get use to snorkeling but it didn’t take long. Overall a great experience
via Viator
Fun relaxing easy
Very well organized. They got us transportation from our hotel which was on time. Our tour guide met us at the parking lot and brought us thru to the lockers. Got us all setup and in the water. He was easily able to find us turtles and a sting ray. Everything was so calm and organized.
via Tripadvisor
Do not take a tour with them
Worst experience in any tour I did in my life. The contact point was made as expected. The person from the agency brought us to a stand where all the guides dispatch the customers. It took at least 20 minutes before they paired us with another person. Then the guide show up. Didn’t speak much (only speaks Spanish, but we can manage so no big deal here) and we had no idea what to expect. Then he ask us to put our personal effect in a bin, no explanation except we needed to put everything you don’t need to swim. Provide us with tuba and mask but no palms. Where it gets weird, the guide has palms so in the water he was always way ahead of us and we almost lost him few times. No explanation on nothing, just swam to a location and waited so we assumed this is a spot to explore. After less than an hour, he brought us back to shore, once again way ahead of us and that’s it. We had to go find ourself the crate/bin with our personal objects, found the shower by ourself and left by ourself. As I said, worst experience ! All that for $45 usd per person. Total rip off ! Positive note : we saw many turtles. We also saw a stingray because a guide with another group said there was one . Our guide was already 5-10 meters ahead of us !
Response from the operator: "We are very sorry that your experience was not adequate. We take comments about our staff very seriously and, after an internal review of what happened, we have decided to dispense with the services of this guide immediately. This behaviour does not reflect our values and we are taking steps to ensure that it does not happen again. We hope to have the opportunity to regain their confidence in the future."
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 6+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 159
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Swim with sea turtles: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa del Carmen.
How much does Swim with sea turtles cost?
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Prices start at $45 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 Swim with sea turtles take?
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Plan for about 1.3 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 Swim with sea turtles worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 453 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 Swim with sea turtles?
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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 Swim with sea turtles suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 6. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 1.3-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Swim with sea turtles?
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Around 159 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 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Swim with sea turtles 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 VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour, VIP Tulum Private Tour, Chichen Itza Private Tour VIP. 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.
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