Hotels near Playa Akumal

A 25-minute drive north, Akumal - Mayan for Place of the Turtles - is the best spot near Tulum to snorkel with wild green sea turtles. Its calm, reef-protected bay is a feeding ground where turtles graze on seagrass just offshore, alongside rays and colourful fish. Access is regulated to protect the animals, so most visitors join a short guided snorkel tour with a certified guide and life vest, keeping a respectful distance from the turtles.

Pro Tip: Go early for calm water and fewer swimmers, use a guided tour to enter the protected turtle zone legally, and wear only reef-safe sunscreen to protect the seagrass and reef.