6 Turtle Encounters in Cancun to Build a Day Around

1.5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling: Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, Cenote

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,678 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $79Our pick

Cancun’s 5-in-1 snorkeling tour combines calm-reef swims, turtles, MUSA statues, a shipwreck stop, and a cenote finale, with pickup only in Cancun.

“I had a very disappointing and unprofessional experience with this company. The night before my snorkeling tour, they texted me saying the activity was cancelled due to “weather conditions” and offered either a refund or a different activity. I asked for a refund. A few hours later they messaged again saying suddenly there was an opening for a different time slot and I could go if I wanted. Then again they said the weather was bad and suggested I switch to another activity. I checked the alternative activities they offered on Viator, and both were listed at $49, which is $10 cheaper than what I originally paid for snorkeling. Naturally,…”

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2.With Turtles, Shipwreck, Cenote, and Reef and Transport Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,102 reviews · 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.) · from $79

Small-group snorkeling in Cancun with shipwreck, reefs, cenote stops, and possible sea turtles, plus hotel pickup and included gear.

“Awesome tour! Guides and captain were phenomenal. They checked in the entire time while we were in the water and made sure we were always comfortable.”

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3.Tulum and Akumal Cenote and Turtle Swim Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 289 reviews · 10 hours · from $104

Cancun day trip to Tulum ruins, Mariposa cenote and Akumal turtle snorkeling, with lunch, lockers, and guided stops.

“If you only do one activity in Cancun, do this one. Our guide Mauricio Dzul was phenomenal. He is kind and knowledgeable, proud to share his culture with us. I cannot recommend him enough. The turtles were the highlight, but the denotes were amazing too, and Tulum is beautiful too. Good food.”

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4.Sea turtles and Cenote Tour With Pick Up from your Hotel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 97 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $77Best value

Snorkel with sea turtles near Akumal and swim in the Yax-Muul cenotes from Cancun, with hotel pickup, gear, and a small snack.

“A lovely half day tour. We got to see many turtles and even a sting ray. The cenote was stunning and we were the only group there at the time so we could take full advantage and swim in all areas of the cave. Our guide Erika was super friendly and knowledgeable - all while delivering the tour in two languages.”

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5.Tulum, Cenote and Turtle Swim Tour at Akumal

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 59 reviews · 10 hours · from $96

From Cancun, see Tulum ruins, swim at Canamayte’s Mariposa cenote, and snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal, with lunch and transport for $96.

“Great day! Turtles was an experience I will never forget. Learning about Tulum and the Mayan culture was great and finishing the day in 2 amazing cenotes. The whole day was well organised and our guides Jorje and snorkel guide Charlie made the day a great one”

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6.Marine Turtle Observation in Akumal

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 42 reviews · 5 hours · from $135

Snorkel Akumal with sea turtles plus cenote swimming for a family-friendly half-day with biologist-guides and clear Caribbean water.

“Expérience malheureusement décevante. Nous avions choisi cette activité pour vivre un moment privilégié avec les tortues, mais la réalité est toute autre. Beaucoup trop de groupes en même temps, une organisation à la chaîne et énormément de monde dans l’eau. Cela enlève complètement le côté naturel et exclusif que l’on peut attendre de ce type d’excursion. L’eau était assez trouble le jour de notre venue et nous n’avons vu qu’une ou deux tortues, brièvement. Le moment est donc resté très limité. Surtout, on sent que les tortues sont stressées et effrayées par l’affluence permanente. Cela pose clairement la question du respect de l’animal et de la pertinence de maintenir ce…”

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