Last Updated
It’s that time of year again when sea turtles begin their nesting season, and you may even get a glimpse of them hatching and returning back to the ocean!
If you’re looking for something a little different for your trip, then this is it – especially for nature lovers!
Riviera Maya is a well-known popular tourist spot for travelers all over the globe, and every year, there’s a chance to catch sea turtles hanging out in their natural habitat. If you fancy checking out these incredible creatures, then here’s the inside scoop.
Where To See Sea Turtles
Some of the best places to see sea turtles are:
Akumal
It goes without saying Akumal is one of the most notorious places on the Mexican Caribbean coast to witness sea turtles in abundance. Akumal translates to ‘Land Of Turtles’, and the turtles are the most famous of creatures in the area.
You have the option to watch them hatching and returning to the ocean, plus you can swim with them or even snorkel with them.
Before you do anything, bear in mind it’s best to contact an authorized company in order to witness them due to environmental protection regulations.
Xcacel Beach
This beach is situated around 20 minutes south of Akumal Bay and is super secluded, home to a generous amount of beautiful turtles. Make sure to bring your personal snorkeling equipment and contact one of the local tour companies which operate in the area.
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week
Easily Earn Points For Free Travel
Tulum
This location is ideal if you’re visiting Tulum and surrounding areas, it’s one of the more popular destinations in Riviera Maya, and your best bet would be seeing them down at the Tulum Ruins beach.
You could also tie in a tour of the ancient Mayan ruins while you’re there, offering plenty of tour operators that offer guided tours for you.
Sian Ka’an Reserve
Located just below Tulum, this UNESCO site is also home to the world’s second-largest reef system and a plethora of marine life embedded amongst its marine reserve and mangroves.
You have the option to get a boat to and from Punta Allen and witness some of its awesome beaches and also take lots of photos of the turtles.
Cancun
If you’re visiting Cancun, they sometimes make an appearance on some of the city’s beaches, such as Playa Delfines, where you can spot them during nesting season, but also an opportunity to visit some of the dolphins too, either by watching from shore or taking a tour.
Cozumel
This island across from Playa Del Carmen is home to various different protected species of turtles, such as the hawksbill and loggerhead, and due to the perfect temperature of the water and good visibility, it’s an amazing place to snorkel or scuba dive to see these incredible creatures first hand.
The eastern section of the island is generally known to be a more ideal setting for the turtles to hatch and is also where you will find most of the activities, and they even have salvation programs where you can join in by either observing or helping out.
When To See Sea Turtles
It varies on which destination you go to, but typically hatching season is anytime from April – November, with the busiest periods around May – October, where you are more likely to see them.
You might even get to see them hatching from their eggs and heading back into the ocean, which is truly a natural phenomenon and a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Sea turtles are protected by the law in Mexico, so just make sure if you are snorkeling or swimming near or with them, not to touch them or disturb their habitat.
This protection law will allow sea turtles to thrive and continue to prosper in Riviera Maya for many years to come.
If you are planning to visit Riviera Maya this summer, or next summer, then this is the perfect time for you to experience a truly unforgettable moment, and with a little bit of luck, you will hopefully get to see these beautiful creatures in their natural world.
Plan Your Next Cancun Vacation:
Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!
Choose From Thousands of Cancun and Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
↓ Join the community ↓
The Cancun Sun Community FB group has all the latest travel news, conversations and tourism Q&A’s for the Mexican Caribbean
Subscribe to our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Sun’s latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox.