Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The most common species in Akumal Bay. Named for the greenish colour of their fat — not their shell. Adults can weigh up to 190 kg. They graze on seagrass and algae in the shallow bay every day.
Discover Akumal
PLACE OF THE TURTLES
A small bay on the Caribbean coast where sea turtles have grazed the seagrass beds for millions of years — and still do today.
The name
What does Akumal mean?
The name comes from the ancient Mayan language and carries centuries of history.
"Akumal" means "Place of the Turtles" in Mayan — a name earned long before the first tourists arrived.
The village of Akumal sits on the Riviera Maya coast in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Long before it became a diving destination, Mayan fishermen knew these waters as the home of the turtle — "ak" (turtle) + "umal" (place of). The name has not changed since.
Location
Where is Akumal?
A hidden gem on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.
Quintana Roo
State, Mexico
Caribbean
Sea
100 km
South of Cancún airport
Riviera Maya
Tourist corridor
20.39° N
Latitude
27 °C
Avg. water temperature
Wildlife
Sea turtles of Akumal Bay
Two species of sea turtles frequent the bay year-round, grazing on the seagrass beds in shallow water.
Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Distinguished by their narrow, pointed beak and beautifully patterned shells. Critically endangered. Occasionally spotted feeding on sponges along the reef edge near Akumal.
Life cycle
The turtle lifecycle
Every year, female sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs. The cycle of life in Akumal follows the seasons.
-
May – October
Nesting season. Female turtles come ashore at night to dig nests and lay 80–150 eggs on nearby beaches like Xcacel-Xcacelito.
-
60 days later
Incubation complete. Sand temperature determines the sex of the hatchlings — warmer sand produces more females.
-
July – November
Hatchlings emerge after dark and head instinctively toward the lightest horizon — the sea. A perilous 50-metre sprint.
-
First years at sea
Young turtles drift with ocean currents for years before returning to coastal feeding grounds like Akumal Bay.
-
25–35 years later
Sexual maturity reached. Adult females return to the same beach where they hatched to nest — guided by the Earth's magnetic field.
Ecosystem
More than just turtles
Akumal Bay is a protected natural area with one of the richest marine ecosystems in the Mexican Caribbean.
Coral reef
A fringing reef protects the bay and creates habitat for hundreds of species. Home to brain coral, elkhorn coral, and sea fans.
Seagrass beds
Shallow Thalassia seagrass beds are the turtles' primary food source — and a nursery for juvenile fish, rays, and invertebrates.
100+ fish species
Parrotfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, barracuda, and spotted eagle rays are common sights on every snorkel tour.
Nurse sharks
Harmless nurse sharks rest on the sandy bottom near the reef — a thrilling sighting that surprises most first-time snorkellers.
Loggerhead Turtle
The largest sea turtle that visits Akumal Bay. Recognised by its large head and reddish-brown shell. An occasional visitor — spotting one is a rare and unforgettable experience.
Responsible tourism
Protect what you love
Akumal Bay is a protected marine area. These rules keep the turtles wild, healthy, and in the bay for generations to come.
- Keep a minimum distance of 2 metres from sea turtles at all times.
- Never touch, ride, or chase sea turtles.
- Do not use sunscreen — reef-safe, biodegradable sun protection only.
- No flash photography near marine life.
- Stay horizontal in the water — do not stand on the reef or seagrass.
- Enter the water slowly and quietly to avoid startling wildlife.
- Do not feed fish or other marine animals.
- Take nothing but photos. Leave nothing but bubbles.
By the numbers
Akumal in numbers
A few figures that put this remarkable place in perspective.
30+
Turtles seen
on an average snorkel day
100+
Fish species
in the bay
60 days
Egg incubation
before hatching
35 yrs
To maturity
sea turtle lifespan to first nesting
14 yrs
Guide experience
Xarou's time in this bay
Join us
Swim with the turtles of Akumal
Small group, max 6 people. Expert local guide. Personal video on lucky days. Book and pay online instantly.
Xarou will get back to you as soon as possible · No commitment · Free to ask