Akumal Turtles

Akumal, "place of turtles". Easy and contented, this small little beach community is located 75 miles south of Cancun, Mexico, along Mexico's Caribbean Coast. It is a welcoming and friendly place and a cherished secret for those who have been visiting for years. Akumal is centrally located along The Riviera Maya and makes an excellent base for exploring the many archeological sites and other attractions in the area. Home to the timeless Maya and blessed with the turquoise sea, bright sky and emerald green jungles, Akumal offers endless opportunities for discovery and adventure.
Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Wind Surfing and Kayaking are all part of the daily routine in Akumal. Akumal's bays are populated with brightly colored tropical fish, sea turtles and other marine life.
So much to see and do. . .but what Akumal is really all about is relaxing, spending time with family making new friends, and letting the warm sunlight and blue water soothe you.
Our community life is centered around Akumal Bay. Here you will find "town". Home to our Ecology Center, restaurants, boutiques, the bakery, gym and yoga classes. It is an ecclectic community with much to offer.

Facts About Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are cold blooded reptiles that lay eggs and use lungs to breathe air.
The first turtles appeared 245 million years ago.
Sea turtles live in warm, tropical oceans.
Only eight species of sea turtles exist in the world; four of them nest in the state of Quintana Roo.
The principal predators of sea turtles are seabirds, crabs, raccoons and human beings.
Sea turtles are protected under National and International law.

Facts about Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas

Dark olive-green in color.
Adults weigh 100–250 kg. and grow 1.15 m in length.
Nesting season is between June and September.
Each female nests 3-7 times a year.
Each nest contains 120-150 eggs, which are round and white. The eggs hatch in about 60 days.
Feed primarily on sea grass.

Loggerhead Turtles, Caretta caretta

Reddish-brown in color.
Adults weigh 100-200 kg. and grow 1.00 m in length.
Nesting is between April and July.
Females nest 3-7 times every season with approximately 120 round, white eggs in each nest. The eggs hatch in about 60 days.
Feed primarily on shellfish such as crabs and snails.

The Village of Akumal is just one hour south of the Cancun Airport. Akumal is the home of Centro Ecologico de Akumal CEA, a group dedicated to environmental-marine research, education and sea turtle protection. In Maya, Akumal means "place of the turtles", which is appropriate for the beach at Half Moon Bay as Giant sea turtles return yearly to lay their eggs in the sand of this crescent bay.

The beaches along the Caribbean Coast of Mexico and especially in Akumal, are nesting grounds for two endangered species of sea turtles: the Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).
Nesting season for these turtles is May through October. After mating at sea the female turtle swims to shore to dig a nest for her eggs. It is not unusual to see turtles nesting at night on the beaches of Akumal. If you should see a turtle at night please do not disturb or shine a flashlight on it as this may disrupt their reproductive cycle. Female turtles dig their nests on the beach with their flippers, then lay their eggs and cover them with sand. They then crawl back to the surf zone and swim out to sea. After 50 - 60 days the baby turtles hatch from the nests and try to make their way through the surf zone and out to sea.

Caution should be exercised when walking the nesting beaches in order to avoid trampling nests where eggs are incubating. Avoid stepping on mounds in the sand or anywhere that you see sticks with markers pushed into the sand. The Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA) for the past four years has been actively participating in the sea turtle protection program. A restricted and watched hatchery area has been created to better protect some of the nests of eggs, thus producing a higher yield upon hatching. To witness such an event is amazing, but if you happen to miss turtle season, CEA offers a slide presentation weekly on sea turtles. Addition printed material is also available about sea turtles.