Green turtles
Feed in the bay.
Alfonzo Buscemi — CC BY 3.0 · Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Jmr002 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Akumal is a small beachfront resort community on the Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, about 26 km in a straight line north-east of Tulum. It lies on Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay, on the site of a former coconut plantation. Akumal was officially founded in 1958 as a community for scuba divers, and today it is famous for snorkelling with endangered green sea turtles, which come into the bay to feed on sea grass. On 7 March 2016 the bay was declared a marine refuge to protect the turtles, after the popularity of snorkelling put pressure on their fragile habitat. A white sand beach shaded by palms curves around a calm bay of turquoise water where small fishing boats moor. Underwater, coral, sponges and tropical fish spread along the nearby reef, and the village has an ecological centre and an annual mural festival each November. Swimming in the protected area follows rules and may require a guide and life jacket. Do not touch or chase the turtles, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Feed in the bay.
Under palms.
Near the barrier.
Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Yes, under the refuge's rules, often with a guide.
No, never touch or chase them.