Small Group, Photos Included

Reviewers mention receiving the GoPro album the same day or the next, so nobody has to take a phone into the sea.

Overview

This short outing packs snorkeling with turtles, stingrays and reef fish into an hour and ten minutes on Akumal's protected bay, with a guide in the water pointing out wildlife and shooting GoPro photos as you go.

The routine is simple. You meet the guide at the 7-Eleven store in Akumal, gear up with mask, vest and snorkel tube, and swim out over the bay. One reviewer notes no boat is required and the water is shallow. Besides turtles, reviewers describe stingrays, schools of fish and an old cannon and wheel resting on the seabed.

The pace suits beginners and mixed groups, and reviewers say the length feels right rather than rushed. Semi-confident swimming helps, since currents from passing boats can push you toward the animals and you need to back off to avoid touching them. Showers, bathrooms and changing tables are on site, and the tour ends back where it started.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet At The 7-ElevenMeet the guide at the 7-Eleven store in Akumal.
2. Gear UpReceive your snorkeling equipment: mask, vest and snorkel tube.
3. Snorkel The BaySwim in the protected natural area where turtles live, with the guide spotting turtles, rays and fish and taking GoPro photos. The whole experience runs 1 hour 10 minutes.
4. Use The FacilitiesBathrooms, showers and changing tables are available as included services.
5. Return To Meeting PointThe activity ends back at the 7-Eleven meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from what travellers report will make the day smoother.

• Swimming ability. The listing says most travellers can participate, but several reviewers note you should be at least a semi-competent swimmer. Currents from passing boats can push you toward the turtles, and you need to move away so you don't touch them.
• Photos included. The guide shoots GoPro photos during the swim and shares the album afterward. Reviewers report receiving them the same day or the next, so phones can stay on shore.
• Bring cash. Beach access requires an extra bracelet of 140 pesos or 9 USD per person, and digital lockers rent for 100 MXN by card only. One reviewer also suggests keeping 100 pesos in cash for the locker deposit, refunded afterwards. Parking is not included.
• Small group feel. The tour carries a maximum of six travellers. Reviewers often mention ending up in groups of two, three or five, sometimes effectively private, and several say the small size made the experience far better than the big groups they saw on the beach.
• Timing and conditions. One reviewer found the 8:30 start ideal because crowds were thinner and the heat lower. Water clarity varies with the day, and waves can pick up further out, so conditions depend on weather and luck.
• Gear and facilities. Mask, vest and snorkel tube are provided, and bathrooms, showers and changing tables are available on site.

Common issues. The tour depends on weather, and reviewers describe cancellations on the day when wave conditions were unsafe, with one date cancelled and rebooked to the next day. The beach bracelet and locker are extra costs on top of the booking, and parking is not included. The experience is not wheelchair accessible, and one reviewer felt it was not as ideal for kids. One reviewer also found the guide's attitude lackluster and wished for more information about the turtles, though many others describe the guides as friendly. Water clarity varies, so sightings and visibility depend on the day.

Common Questions