Swim with Turtles in Akumal

You remember the turtle scene in Finding Nemo? Well, you can live it at Playa Akumal.

“Akumal” means “Place of the Turtle.”

Once more lowkey, Playa Akumal has become a popular beach destination for many travelers in Riviera Maya. And it's no surprise that swimming with turtles is the beach’s main attraction!

Akumal is a little over 20 miles away from Playa del Carmen, and it's easy to travel to by car. We recommend leaving your hotel as early as possible to ensure you beat the rest of the crowd to the snorkeling area.

The small bay in Akumal has very fine sand at the bottom, and it gets very easily stirred up throughout the day, significantly decreasing visibility underwater. That's why it's best to arrive early before everybody else, so you have a better guarantee of clearly seeing the turtles as you swim.

There are several different tours available, but there's an amazing one organized by the Akumal Ecological Guide. Entry fees, equipment, and a guided tour are all included in one price.

And yes, the turtles are just as cool in real life as they are in the movies.