Akumal is a unique village which name means “Place of Turtles” in the ancient Mayan language. It is located in the Riviera Maya between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Thanks to the Mesoamerican Reef Barrier, the bay of Akumal has become one of the most perfect places for diving and snorkeling. Here you will be able to swim alongside the great sea turtles of the Caribbean. Our diving program includes four dives a day: 8:30, 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30. The dive sites are located about 5 to 15 minutes by boat from the Dive Shop, on the beach of Akumal. The seabed is divided into three levels of rich coral formations, the first with a depth between 10 and 14 meters, the second between 16 and 24 meters and the third between 25 and 36 meters. All dive sites are rich in life forms; turtles, groupers, barracuda, angel fish, eagle rays, nurse sharks, moray eels etc. Among the most popular dive sites you can find: “Tortugas Reef”, “Media Luna”, “Canyon”, “Yolkanal”, “Motorcicle Reef”, “Las Aventuras” y “Redes”, each of which will provide you with a unique diving experience and the chance to see the beautiful Caribbean underwater enviroment.
1) Aventuras Reef
This 90 feet site has colorful reef fingers that are home to a variety of fish of all shapes & sizes. Occasionally, a large jaw fish or grouper will check you out while you’re admiring the profuse sponges that cover this reef.
2) Lobster Condos
3) Erradura
4) Tortuga Reef
Just 10 minute boat ride, the deep house of Green, and Loggerhead turtles, one of the best dive site of Akumal, many diver ask to repeat this realy beautiful reef.
5) Las Redes
This 40 feet site was named by the original explorers of the Akumal reef for the giant commercial fishing net that was found blanketing it. Now, the net has been removed, but the marine life still abounds. Las Redes is known for the abundant marine life, schooling fish, barracudas, stingrays, lobsters and when you’re lucky, turtles.
6) Esponjas
Only a 5 minute boat ride, this site is decorated by large, vivid reef fingers. You are guaranteed to see Hawksbill, Green, and Loggerhead turtles here feeding, playing, and checking out the visiting divers.
7) Escuela Reef
Only a 5 minute boat ride, this site is the best place for begginers, colorful reef fingers. You are guaranteed to see Hawksbill, Green, and Loggerhead turtles here feeding, playing, and checking out the visiting divers.
8) Motorcycle Reef
At the shallow end of this 50′ to 60′ dive site, lying in the sand, is a 15 year old, coral overgrown motorcycle where you can always find schools of feeding fish, arrow crabs, and southern rays. This reef is laced with a large variety of soft corals, which makes it a good spot to see feeding turtles.
9) Morgan
This site 50 feet is the most topographically diverse dive site in Akumal with coral structures that reach 20 feet from the bottom to interspersed islands of coral in the sand. These short tunnels can sometimes bring encounters with sleeping nurse sharks and hunting barracuda.
10) La Isla
11) Media Luna
12) Media Luna Deep
This deep site is separated coral patches make homes for a large variety of tropical fish not found at most other sites. The white sandy background brilliantly brings out the colors of the coral patches.
13) Yalku
Situated directly in front of Yal-ku Lagoon, this shallow dive site is the most famous feeding site around, due to its constant flow of nutrients in and out of the lagoon. Under the extensive and climbing Elkhorn coral structures, there are various tunnels to swim through.
14) Yolkanal
15) Xaak
This deep dive site, located about 15 minutes north, is a very special dive. Reef fingers reach up to 30 feet from the sea floor. Turtles, nurse sharks, rays, and a bright spectrum of fish are common sightings here.