This full day snorkel adventure lets you experience two unique and magical environments, the mystical freshwater cenotes of the Yucatan and stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Combine the natural beauty of one of the areas most spectacular cenotes, a breathtaking beach, and swimming with the turtles of Akumal Bay and you have a snorkel experience you won’t soon forget. This tour is perfect for the avid snorkel fan, eagar beginner and even timid observers, and will most certainly provide shutterbugs with plenty of photo ops, in and out of the water. This day is focused on water and its journey from the Yucatan's underground rivers to the sea.

CENOTES
A cenote (from Yucatec Maya dzonot or ts'onot , meaning "well") is a sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. They are typically found in the Yucatán Peninsula and some nearby Caribbean islands. The term is derived from a word used by the lowland Yucatec Maya to refer to any location where groundwater is accessible. The Yucatan peninsula is riddled with underground caves and subterranean rivers, in fact in some areas of the peninsula, there are no above ground rivers at all. Cenotes can be very different in appearance; some may be fully collapsed creating an open water pool, like round lagoons in the jungle and some are elaborate caves, partially filled with water. In many, holes in the ceiling allow the sunlight to filter into the cenotes, giving the scene a magical feeling unlike anything you have ever experienced before. On this tour, we explore one of the areas most spectacular cenotes.

THE DAY
Our first stop is Akumal and Yal-ku lagoon. Akumal, which means, "The Place of Turtles", in the Mayan language, has long been a secret getaway, discovered only by those who dared to travel down the coastline from Cancun and Playa del Carmen in search of adventure. Akumal is a small seaside community with sandy white , swaying palms, and that feeling of paradise we are all looking for. This gem of the Caribbean has three beautiful bodies of water, Yal-ku lagoon, Akumal Bay (or Turtle Bay), and Half Moon Bay. We visit the first two on this tour.

YAL KU LAGOON
Yal-Ku is a natural inlet off the ocean where fresh water traveling via underground rivers reaches the ocean. The lagoon has many small islets and areas where wildlife, flora, and fauna thrive. Perhaps some of the best shore snorkeling in the Riviera Maya, Yal-Ku teems with life. The water conditions are almost always calm, making this a wonderful snorkeling location for beginners and families as well.  The water is the perfect depth for snorkeling, between 6 and 15 feet deep, which lets the light through to bring out the brilliant colors. In the area where the lagoon meets the sea, you can often see stingrays and if you're lucky, maybe even your first sea turtle of the day! After swimming, snorkeling or even just enjoying the scenery we jump back in the van and head for the jungle!

THE CENOTE
Next stop is a truly amazing natural wonder almost completely hidden in the jungle, Cenote Suenos (Cenote of Dreams), a cave entrance to an underground world you may have never known even existed. A staircase arrives at a wooden platform on the edge of a huge crystal clear pool where we'll don our life vests and snorkel gear. You may just want to swim or snorkel in the main cave area, but for those really looking for adventure, your guide will takeyou through some awesome swim-throughs! The cenote is lit by a few discreet lights and the whole experience can be done with or without mask and snorkel. We feel pretty confident in saying that this will be one of the most spectacular snorkel experiences of your life. You’ll think you had to be cave diver to see something like this! Your guide is equipped with a strong cave light, which will enhance the experience, so you'll get a better look at stalactites, stalagmites and other mind blowing geological formations.

THE BEACH
After our experience in Cenote Suenos, we are ready for a meal fit for jungle explorers! So it's back to Akumal and our beach club right on breathtaking Akumal Beach, where we'll have an all you can eat buffet lunch, and you have access to its facilities – showers, beach chairs, hammocks and kayaks, all afternoon long. After lunch, a little R&R may be in order!

TURTLE BAY
After you've had enough time beach time (if there ever is enough!), you can get back in the water for the highlight of the day, snorkeling with the famous sea turtles of Akumal Bay. Did you know that Mexico has the largest number of sea turtle species worldwide? Seven of the eight species known in the world, nest on Mexican beaches in the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico and in the Caribbean. Akumal Bay’s calm protected waters are inhabited by two of these beloved creatures - the Green and Loggerhead sea turtles. The bay has long been a favorite feeding spot for these turtles and is a designated turtle sanctuary. This protected environment provides an optimal opportunity to see the animals intheir natural habitat. Not far from shore, in water no more than about 8 feet deep, you'll find turtles feeding in sea grass beds! Enjoy this unique opportunity to snorkel along side them admiring their grace and beauty as they occasionally surface for a breath of air. Your guide will take you on a guided snorkel tour of the bay, pointing out turtles, fish, and if you are lucky some rays and Barry the barracuda! An experience of a lifetime!