The Akumal Turtle Swim / Guided Tour controversy continues to rage on the internet. Our visit in 2019 sets the record straight. You need a guide if you want to swim with turtles at Akumal Bay. Do you need a life vest? Are you going to be harassed at the beach? Does it really pay to snorkel with turtles at Akumal Bay? Continue reading to learn the truth about Akumal Beach.
Imagine snorkeling in warm waters of Yucatan, surrounded by turtles. We’ve heard too many horror stories about beach vendors who are pushy and regulations that are unclear. Although we had many questions, we were determined to take the chance to see turtles in their natural habitat. Once you know what to do, swimming with turtles at Akumal beach is a fantastic experience. Our list of the best Riviera Maya excursions included snorkeling Akumal Bay.
Book Tours to Akumal Beach
We were on a mission to Akumal Bay and had a simple plan – we would play by ear, see how things went at the ground zero. We read dozens and dozens of articles that contradicted each other. Most people claim that this is the largest scam in Yucatan. Some say you need a tour guide. It felt strange to be approached by people offering tours before we had even parked the car. But getting a guide was absolutely right.
We said yes because of two reasons. They first pointed out that the facilities would be closing in a few days and, secondly, included parking as part of the package. After we paid, Jose, our guide, got into our car. He showed us how to park in Akumal Bay, and then walked us to the beach entrance.
Akumal Bay Public Beach
Jose was very helpful in getting us to Akumal Public Beach. It was a bit confusing to enter the beach. The public beach is open to all, but there are fees for the Centro Ecologico Akumal (washrooms and showers, lockers and lifeguards) Not all facilities are free. Jose took us to a ticket counter located just around the corner, completely out of sight. He also got us our locker keys (also included in the tour). Before entering the water, we changed and washed off to prevent our oil from contaminating their home.
Some of the information on Akumal Bay contradicts what we have found on other websites. These pages appear to be outdated. The rules and regulations have been clearly posted since spring 2019. Just offshore, there is a “free-zone” of the first 150 feet. The swimmers would stay in this area, which is why it was very murky and there were no turtles. The turtle trail was beyond that, and you could only access it with a guide. A no-entry area was set up outside the turtle circuit, which prohibited all entry except through boat corridors.
Do I need a life jacket to swim at Akumal Bay?
Anyone who says that aggressive vendors rent life vests on the beach hasn’t visited recently. Signs were posted everywhere prohibiting beach vendors and especially those renting life jackets. Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente personnel were also on the beach to enforce other policies and prevent the business from returning.
We were provided with life jackets that we wore before getting in the water. Jose said that while swimmers do not need them, they are required for the Turtle Circuit. He stated that the guides were responsible for their guests’ behavior in the water. The guides are responsible if the guests don’t use their life vests, harass turtles or dive underwater, feed turtles or violate any park rules. The guide could lose his license and be banned from working in the park.
Akumal Turtle Snorkeling
We arrived late, around 4:00 pm. It pays to go on the first or the last tour. The kick-out wasn’t spectacular. The tour guests were not allowed to use fins and there was little to see. Jose showed us coral and fish, but the real stars of the show, the sea turtles were not yet out. The first turtle we saw was at the very edge of the circuit. It’s hard to say which is more amazing, watching baby turtles hatch in the water or swimming with them.
The outer edge of the circuit had a rough, choppy surface. We saw large groups of snorkelers being transported here by boat. This tour would be avoided because the water was so choppy. These boat tours, I think, are a deliberate circumvention of the Akumal Bay Management Plan that aims to reduce stress for the Akumal Turtles.
The highlight of our trip was swimming back home. We were glad to be back in the calm waters and saw nearly two dozen turtles. We also saw many independent snorkelers at this area. They were diving to harass turtles, and acting in a generally bad manner. At the time of our trip, it was obvious that you could swim in the zone. But should you?
Akumal Bay Turtle Management
Akumal Bay is a wild west in terms of environmental management. It was a kind of ground zero for local environmental groups and entrepreneurs looking to make quick money. The result was a confusing array of pseudo-rules enforced arbitrarily.
This short timeline will help you to understand the events that took place at Akumal Beach.
- The Akumal Bay Refuge was declared in March 2016.
- Wildcat Path Cut Through Hotel Akumal Caribe Property in August 2016
- February 2017 – Snorkeling in Akumal Bay is suspended.
- April 2017 – Snorkeling in Akumal Bay has resumed.
- A federal judge issued an order in February 2018 to permanently close the wildcat route.
- Visit to Akumal Beach by the Coleman Concierge in January 2019.
Why you should follow the rules of Akumal Bay
Carlos Ortiz Salinas is the President of Akumal Ecological Center and he has an alarming warning regarding the ecology of Akumal Bay: “In the past ten years it’s estimated that about 50% of corals have died, 40% of seagrasses are dead, and the fish population has decreased by 60%.” If this trend continues then Akumal will face an ecological disaster, which will first affect the local population, as its economy is dependent on the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Turtle swim circuits were not created to provide tour guides with the best possible access to Akumal turtles. The turtle swim circuits were designed to keep people away from the grass beds, and to give turtles a place to safely eat. This primary purpose is directly violated by swimming up to the edge of the circuit. Guides are not included in the scheme to make money. The guides are the first to enforce park rules, which include good behavior and restricted access. As ethical travelers, it is important to support the local economy by paying guides and ensuring their livelihood.
These rules limit not only where visitors are allowed to go, but also how many people can visit each day. These guidelines were created by ecologists to preserve the ecosystem. What rights do we as foreigners have to violate these guidelines? What would we think if foreigners carved their name in the redwoods, or took pieces of DC monuments home as souvenirs. You may not be able to get away with doing it, but should you try?
Akumal Snorkeling Guide
- Keep your bay confined.
- Always stay horizontal. Always know where your fins will be. You don’t need to kick up sand, reefs or turtles.
- You should never stand on the reef. They can cause you injury and damage.
- Turtles and other marine life should never be touched or chased.
- Underwater diving or swimming is dangerous. You could damage the ecosystem, and you run the risk of being missed by boat traffic.
- Never crowd a tortoise. Keep at least three meters away.
- Do not spend more than two minutes watching a turtle.
- Wear a biodegradable sunshirt or sunscreen.
- Know your limits! Wearing a lifejacket is recommended for your own safety.
- Be careful! You’re in a natural environment and you may encounter dangerous animals. Be careful where you walk.
- Beach warning flags are important to know. Beach flags and lifeguards should be observed.
What to pack for a Day on Akumal Beach
- Swimsuit – Of course..but stranger things have been forgotten.
- Quick-Dry Oversize Microfiber Towel – A towel comes as a standard, but this one is an added bonus.
- – Reef-safe sunscreen – A must for protecting both you and the ocean
- Snorkel Gear – Owning your own gear is best. We travel with our masks because we are scuba diving.
- Waterproof Camera, or a GoPro – You will definitely want to take photos.
- Reusable Water Bottle – Hydrate, or die. But let’s not contribute to plastic pollution by using a reusable water bottle! This bottle is BPA-free and eco-friendly. It’s also collapsible for travel.
- Water Resistant Foldable Backpack – This daypack, which is collapsible for travel and small, expands up to 35 liters.
Last Thoughts about Snorkeling at Akumal Beach with Turtles
Do not forget to be responsible when you go turtle snorkeling at Akumal Bay. It is a great experience to swim with Hawksbill Turtles and Green Turtles. Take a guided tour, follow the rules and wear reef-safe sunblock. We loved the guide, as it allowed us to focus on our adventure together and not all the rules. It cost $30 per person and took 2 hours. The tours begin at 9am and end at 6pm. If possible, try to attend the 9:00 tour opening or the 4:00 tour at the end of the day.
Akumal Beach lies about half way between Tulum, Mexico and Playa Del Carmen. This is the perfect addition to a Rio Secreto Cave Tour and a must-do if you are visiting Tulum. About 40 turtles live in the bay year-round. If everyone follows the rules, this turtle ecosystem and these turtles may be around for many generations.