Where can you swim with turtles in Cancun?

Quintana Roo is a Mexican state located in the southern part that has extensive biodiversity in every corner. It is also home to Cancun and Riviera Maya, one of the most important destinations in Mexico that houses thousand of paradisiacal places with impressive wild and marine life.

We know that one of the favorite animals for many are the turtles, these gorgeous animals are located throughout Cancun and Riviera Maya but finding them is not so easy.

Swimming with turtles 

If you want to guarantee swimming close to a turtle and be able to admire it, you should definitely go to Akumal.

It is a small town located 40 minutes away from Playa del Carmen, and 1.4 hrs away from Cancun. Here the famous Akumal beach is located, a stunning crystal clear bay surrounded by palm trees and rocks becoming a truly tropical paradise. Besides, here you can also find fantastic corals reefs to explore!

Akumal beach is a turtle sanctuary, and it’s regulated by locals. But that doesn’t mean you can’t see the turtles when you visit this wonderful beach. It is true that there are some restricted areas for Snorkeling with turtles to protect the marine species, that is why the activity has to be supervised.

If you want to really swim near the turtles you have to hire a guide that takes you to the exact place, they know where the turtles are exactly. In addition, you’ll be contributing to the local economy and you’ll live a unique experience while your Snorkeling in the Riviera Maya. Besides they will provide you with the equipment you need to do safely the activity such as snorkel and life vest. 

Another thing you should know is that the beach access is not for free, a few years ago they started to charge around 5 USD to get in.

Explore Cozumel

This island is the world capital of snorkeling, it is truly unexplainable the ocean colors and all the marine vegetation on it. Although there is no specific place to swim with turtles in Cozumel, is most common to find them than in other places in Riviera Maya.

There are some tours that can take you to snorkel somewhere on the island, it is not guaranteed that you’ll see the turtles but there are probabilities. Although something that we can assure is that you’ll get mesmerized with all the colorful fish, corals, starfish, and stingrays you’ll see in those turquoise waters.

Tortugranja “Turtle farm”

Tortugranja is a turtle sanctuary in Isla Mujeres, a kind of small aquarium, and it is just 30 minutes away from Cancun. And although you won’t be able to snorkel with turtles you’ll admire and learn from them. In the place, there are hundreds of marine turtles that have survived thanks to the commitment and love of the people that are involved in this project and also the inhabits of Isla Mujeres. Among the turtle species, you can find Carey, Green turtle, and Cahuama.

Remember to be respectful with these beautiful animals, we want to protect them as much as possible. Do not use sunscreen while you swimming in the ocean, or bother the turtles, let's take care of them instead of being part of the problem.

Isla Mujeres is one of the Top islands in the Mexican Caribbean, we highly recommend visiting it since it also has extraordinary spots for snorkeling.