Staying at Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya puts you in a brilliant location for exploring this part of Mexico. Some of the best experiences are right on your doorstep, while Tulum, cenotes, Rio Secreto and some of the Riviera Maya’s biggest attractions can all be visited on a day trip.
We’ve stayed at Secrets Akumal ourselves, and one of the biggest highlights was the location. Akumal Bay is directly beside the resort, with excellent snorkelling and the chance to see sea turtles, rays and tropical fish. You can even walk from the resort to some of the snorkelling experiences featured below.
If you want to venture further, we’ve picked 7 of the best excursions from Secrets Akumal, ranging from swimming with turtles and exploring ancient Maya ruins to underground rivers, wildlife reserves and seasonal whale shark encounters.
Our quick picks:
- Best near Secrets Akumal: Akumal Turtle Snorkelling
- Best all-round day trip: Tulum Ruins, Cenote & Sea Turtles
- Best bucket-list trip: Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid
- Best adventure: Rio Secreto
- Best seasonal experience: Swimming with Whale Sharks
Best Excursions from Secrets Akumal – Quick Comparison
If you’re staying at Secrets Akumal, these are the seven excursions we’d consider first. Two of the snorkelling experiences are within walking distance of the resort, while the others are better suited to a half-day or full-day trip.
| Excursion | Best For | Book Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Akumal Turtle Snorkelling | Swimming with sea turtles | 👉 Check availability |
| Tulum Ruins, Cenote & Sea Turtles | Best all-round day trip | 👉 Check availability |
| Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid | Maya history & sightseeing | 👉 Check availability |
| Akumal Bay Snorkelling | Marine life & snorkelling | 👉 Check availability |
| Rio Secreto | Underground adventure | 👉 Check availability |
| Sian Ka’an Ancient Maya Canals | Nature & wildlife | 👉 Check availability |
| Whale Shark Swimming | Seasonal wildlife experience | 👉 Check availability |
Whale shark swimming is seasonal, generally from around mid-May to mid-September. The tour featured here does not include collection from Secrets Akumal, so you’ll need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point.
1. Akumal Turtle Snorkelling – Best Excursion Near Secrets Akumal
If swimming with sea turtles is high on your list, this is the first excursion we’d book. Akumal Bay is directly beside Secrets Akumal, so you can experience one of the Riviera Maya’s most famous wildlife encounters without spending hours travelling away from the resort.
The big advantage of taking a guided turtle tour is access to the controlled snorkelling area of Akumal Bay, to the left of Secrets Akumal beach. This part of the bay has large areas of seagrass – a favourite feeding ground for green sea turtles – and access to the designated turtle areas is controlled and requires an authorised guide.
That gives you a much better opportunity to see Akumal’s turtles in their natural feeding area than simply snorkelling independently from the resort beach.
The tour includes a guide and snorkelling equipment, as well as GoPro photos from your experience.
Our Experience Snorkelling at Secrets Akumal
We snorkelled directly from the beach during our stay at Secrets Akumal and still saw a sea turtle, an eagle ray and plenty of tropical fish, so you certainly don’t have to book a tour to enjoy the marine life here.
However, there is an important difference.
Independent snorkelling from Secrets Akumal is great for exploring the water in front of the resort, but you can’t simply swim into the controlled turtle snorkelling areas further along Akumal Bay. That’s where having a guide becomes worthwhile, particularly if seeing the turtles is one of the main reasons you chose Akumal.
It also makes this one of the easiest excursions to fit into an all-inclusive holiday. You can walk over from Secrets Akumal, snorkel the turtle feeding grounds and still have most of the day to enjoy the resort.
Best for: Sea turtles, couples, first-time visitors to Akumal and anyone who wants a high chance of seeing turtles without sacrificing an entire resort day.
👉 Check Akumal Turtle Snorkelling availability and prices
2. Tulum Ruins, Cenote & Sea Turtles – Best All-Round Excursion
If you only want to book one full excursion from Secrets Akumal, this combination tour is one of the best options.
It combines three of the Riviera Maya’s biggest experiences in a single day: the Tulum ruins, swimming with sea turtles in Akumal and swimming in a cenote.
The day starts with a guided visit to the ancient Maya ruins of Tulum, famous for their spectacular position overlooking the Caribbean Sea. From there, the tour heads to Akumal for guided snorkelling with sea turtles before continuing to a cenote for a freshwater swim.
Why We Like This Tour for Secrets Akumal Guests
The biggest advantage is simply how much you can experience in one day.
Rather than booking separate trips for Tulum, turtle snorkelling and a cenote, you can experience all three and then spend the rest of your holiday enjoying Secrets Akumal.
There is some overlap with staying in Akumal – particularly the turtle snorkelling – but the combination makes sense for anyone who wants a structured full-day Riviera Maya experience rather than booking individual activities.
If you’re staying at Secrets Akumal for a week and only want to sacrifice one full resort day to sightseeing, this would be one of our top choices.
Best for: First-time Riviera Maya visitors, couples and anyone who wants ruins, turtles and a cenote in one trip.
👉 Check Tulum, Turtle & Cenote Tour prices and availability
3. Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid – Best Bucket-List Day Trip
If visiting Chichen Itza is on your Mexico bucket list, this is the excursion to choose. It’s a longer day away from Secrets Akumal, but it combines the famous Maya archaeological site with a cenote swim and a stop in Valladolid.
The main attraction is Chichen Itza, where you’ll visit the archaeological complex and see El Castillo, the huge stepped pyramid at the centre of the site.
The tour also includes time at a cenote, giving you the chance to cool off with a swim, before visiting the colonial city of Valladolid.
Is Chichen Itza Worth the Journey From Secrets Akumal?
If you’ve never been, we think so – but you need to be prepared for a full day out.
Secrets Akumal is an all-inclusive resort with a fantastic beach, so we wouldn’t recommend filling your holiday with long excursions. Chichen Itza is different because it gives you an experience you simply can’t replicate around the resort.
Our advice would be to make this your big sightseeing day, then choose shorter experiences such as Akumal turtle snorkelling for the rest of your stay.
Best for: First-time visitors to Mexico, Maya history, bucket-list sightseeing and anyone who doesn’t mind a longer day away from the resort.
👉 Check Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid prices and availability
4. Akumal Bay Snorkelling – Best for Marine Life
If you’re more interested in exploring Akumal Bay and its marine life than specifically focusing on turtles, this snorkelling tour is another excellent option close to Secrets Akumal.
The guided tour takes you into Akumal Bay to look for the different species living beneath the surface. Depending on conditions and wildlife on the day, there’s the opportunity to see turtles, rays, tropical fish and other marine life while exploring the bay with a local guide.
Why Choose This Instead of the Turtle Tour?
Choose the dedicated turtle tour above if seeing sea turtles is your main priority.
Choose this Akumal Bay snorkelling experience if you simply love being in the water and want a broader guided snorkelling tour of the bay.
From our own time snorkelling at Secrets Akumal, we found the variety of marine life just as impressive as the turtles. We saw an eagle ray and plenty of tropical fish as well as a sea turtle, which is why we think Akumal Bay itself deserves attention rather than treating it purely as a place to tick off a turtle sighting.
Like the turtle tour, another major advantage is its location. You can walk from Secrets Akumal, enjoy the snorkelling experience and return to the resort without losing most of your day to transfers.
Best for: Snorkelling enthusiasts, marine life, couples and anyone wanting an easy excursion close to Secrets Akumal.
👉 Check Akumal Bay Snorkelling prices and availability
5. Rio Secreto – Best Underground Adventure
For something completely different from the beach and snorkelling at Secrets Akumal, Rio Secreto takes you beneath the Riviera Maya to explore an incredible underground river and cave system.
The experience involves walking and swimming through underground caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites, with a guide leading you through the cave system. Equipment including a wetsuit, helmet and water shoes is provided.
Why Visit Rio Secreto From Secrets Akumal?
Rio Secreto works particularly well as an excursion from an all-inclusive beach resort because it gives you an experience you simply won’t get at Secrets Akumal.
Instead of another beach or boat day, you’re exploring underground caves and swimming through clear freshwater beneath the jungle.
The tour we’ve selected also includes transportation, which makes it much easier for Secrets Akumal guests than arranging separate taxis or transfers.
If you’ve already snorkelled Akumal Bay and want your next excursion to feel completely different, Rio Secreto would be one of our top choices.
Best for: Adventure, couples, caves, underground swimming and anyone looking for something different from the beach.
👉 Check Rio Secreto prices and availability
6. Sian Ka’an Ancient Maya Canals – Best Nature Excursion
If you want to see a quieter and more natural side of the Riviera Maya, a trip to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most interesting excursions from Secrets Akumal.
This tour takes you into the reserve to explore its lagoons and ancient Maya canals, combining nature, wildlife and Maya history in one experience.
One of the highlights is the chance to float through the canals, surrounded by mangroves and tropical vegetation. It’s a very different experience from the busy archaeological sites and beach clubs found elsewhere along the Riviera Maya.
Why Choose Sian Ka’an?
We’d choose this over Chichen Itza or Tulum if your priority is nature rather than major historical sights.
It also complements a stay at Secrets Akumal particularly well. You still get time in the water, but instead of snorkelling in the Caribbean, you’re exploring the lagoons and waterways of one of Mexico’s most important protected natural areas.
If you enjoy wildlife, beautiful scenery and less conventional excursions, Sian Ka’an is one of the most distinctive options on this list.
Best for: Nature, wildlife, couples and travellers looking for something different from the Riviera Maya’s major tourist attractions.
👉 Check Sian Ka’an Ancient Maya Canals Tour prices and availability
7. Swim With Whale Sharks – Best Seasonal Excursion
If you’re visiting Secrets Akumal during whale shark season, swimming alongside the world’s largest fish could be the most memorable excursion of your trip.
Whale sharks migrate through the waters around the Yucatán Peninsula each year, creating the opportunity to enter the water and snorkel alongside these enormous but gentle animals in the wild.
Unlike the turtle experiences in Akumal Bay, this is a proper day out at sea and sightings depend on wild animals and conditions on the day.
Important: This Tour Requires Travel to Cancún
There are two things Secrets Akumal guests need to know before booking this particular tour.
Firstly, whale shark swimming is seasonal, generally available from around mid-May to mid-September rather than throughout the year.
Secondly, the tour we’ve selected does not include pickup from Secrets Akumal. You’ll need to arrange your own transport from the resort to the meeting point in Cancún and factor the journey into your plans.
That makes this less convenient than most of the excursions on this list, but we’d still consider it if your stay falls within whale shark season. This isn’t an experience you can simply book at any time of year.
If swimming with a whale shark is on your bucket list, check availability for your dates early.
Best for: Wildlife lovers, strong swimmers, bucket-list experiences and guests visiting during whale shark season.
👉 Check Whale Shark Swimming prices and availability
Which Secrets Akumal Excursion Should You Choose?
The best excursion depends on what you want from your time away from the resort.
- Want to swim with turtles? Choose the Akumal Turtle Snorkelling Tour. It’s right beside Secrets Akumal and gives you guided access to the designated turtle snorkelling area.
- Only booking one full-day excursion? Choose Tulum Ruins, Cenote & Sea Turtles for the best mix of sightseeing, swimming and wildlife.
- Want to see Chichen Itza? Make Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid your main sightseeing day.
- Love snorkelling? Choose the Akumal Bay Snorkelling Tour for a broader look at the bay’s marine life.
- Want something completely different? Choose Rio Secreto for underground caves and freshwater swimming.
- Prefer nature and quieter surroundings? Choose the Sian Ka’an Ancient Maya Canals Tour.
- Visiting between roughly mid-May and mid-September? Consider swimming with whale sharks for a special seasonal experience.
For most Secrets Akumal guests, we’d combine one short local experience with one bigger day trip. Turtle snorkelling plus either Tulum, Chichen Itza or Rio Secreto gives you plenty of time to explore without spending too much of an all-inclusive holiday away from the resort.
Can You Walk to Turtle Snorkelling From Secrets Akumal?
Yes. Akumal Bay is directly beside Secrets Akumal, making turtle snorkelling one of the easiest excursions to do during your stay.
You can walk from the resort towards the main snorkelling area of Akumal Bay rather than spending part of your day travelling in a tour bus or taxi.
The important distinction is that although you can snorkel independently from the beach at Secrets Akumal, access to the designated turtle snorkelling areas is controlled. These areas contain large patches of seagrass where green sea turtles feed, and you’ll need an authorised guide to enter the restricted snorkelling zones.
We snorkelled directly from Secrets Akumal and saw a turtle, an eagle ray and plenty of tropical fish. However, if seeing turtles is a priority, booking a guided tour gives you access to the dedicated turtle areas of the bay.
👉 Check Akumal Turtle Snorkelling availability
Should You Book Secrets Akumal Excursions in Advance?
We recommend booking any must-do Secrets Akumal excursions in advance, particularly if you’re travelling during busy periods or have limited days available.
This is especially true for turtle snorkelling in Akumal Bay, where access to the designated snorkelling areas is controlled, and for seasonal experiences such as whale shark swimming.
You don’t need to fill every day with tours. Secrets Akumal is a resort worth spending time at, so we’d book the experiences you really don’t want to miss and leave plenty of free time around them.
For most stays, one local excursion and one full-day trip is a good balance.
Final Verdict: Which Excursions from Secrets Akumal Are Worth Booking?
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Secrets Akumal is the location. You can walk to some of the best snorkelling in Akumal Bay, while Tulum, cenotes, Rio Secreto and some of the Yucatán Peninsula’s biggest attractions are within reach for a day trip.
If we had to narrow it down, we’d book Akumal turtle snorkelling for an easy experience close to the resort and then choose Tulum, Chichen Itza or Rio Secreto for one bigger day out.
Don’t make the mistake of booking an excursion every day. Secrets Akumal is a fantastic resort in its own right, and the beach and marine life were some of the highlights of our stay. A couple of carefully chosen excursions gives you the best of both worlds – time to enjoy the resort and enough time to properly explore beyond it.
If you’re still deciding whether Secrets Akumal is the right hotel for you, read our full Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya review. We cover our first-hand experience of the beach, snorkelling, rooms, pools, restaurants, Preferred Club and what we genuinely thought of the resort.
Secrets Akumal Excursions FAQ
What are the best excursions from Secrets Akumal?
Our top choices are Akumal turtle snorkelling, Tulum ruins with a cenote and turtle swim, Chichen Itza, Rio Secreto, Sian Ka’an and Akumal Bay snorkelling. Whale shark swimming is also an excellent option if you’re visiting during the season.
Can you see turtles at Secrets Akumal?
Yes. Akumal Bay is famous for its green sea turtles, and we saw a sea turtle while snorkelling directly from the beach at Secrets Akumal during our stay. We also saw an eagle ray and plenty of tropical fish.
Do you need a tour to snorkel with turtles in Akumal?
You can snorkel independently from the beach at Secrets Akumal, but access to the designated turtle snorkelling areas is controlled. These areas contain seagrass where the turtles feed and require an authorised guide to access them.
If seeing turtles is a priority, we’d choose a guided Akumal turtle snorkelling tour.
Can you walk from Secrets Akumal to the turtle snorkelling tours?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of staying at Secrets Akumal is its location directly on Akumal Bay. The local turtle and Akumal Bay snorkelling experiences are within walking distance, so you don’t need to spend hours travelling away from the resort.
Is Tulum worth visiting from Secrets Akumal?
Yes, particularly if it’s your first visit to the Riviera Maya. Tulum combines Maya history with a spectacular Caribbean setting. A combination excursion that includes Tulum, a cenote and turtle snorkelling is a good option if you only want to spend one full day away from Secrets Akumal.
Is Chichen Itza worth visiting from Secrets Akumal?
Chichen Itza is a much longer day trip than Tulum, but it’s worth considering if seeing the famous Maya site is high on your Mexico bucket list. We’d make it your main full-day sightseeing excursion rather than planning several long trips during the same stay.
Can you visit cenotes from Secrets Akumal?
Yes. There are numerous cenotes throughout the Riviera Maya and Yucatán Peninsula. Several excursions combine cenote swimming with other attractions, including Tulum and Chichen Itza, while Rio Secreto offers a very different underground river and cave experience.
When can you swim with whale sharks near Secrets Akumal?
Whale shark excursions are seasonal, generally operating from around mid-May to mid-September. The whale shark tour featured in this guide requires you to arrange your own transport from Secrets Akumal to the meeting point in Cancún, so factor the additional journey into your plans.
How many excursions should you book while staying at Secrets Akumal?
For most stays, we think one local excursion and one full-day trip is a good balance. Secrets Akumal is a resort worth spending time at, so you don’t need to plan an excursion for every day of your holiday.
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