Green Sea Turtle Facts — Akumal & Riviera Maya 

Green sea turtle facts and Akumal conservation guide. Learn about Chelonia mydas, diet, migration, nesting and responsible snorkeling in Riviera Maya. 

Green Sea Turtle — Chelonia mydas

The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is one of the most fascinating marine animals found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world.

In the Riviera Maya, green turtles are closely associated with shallow coastal habitats and seagrass beds, including the waters of Akumal Bay.

Why Are They Called Green Sea Turtles?

Despite their name, green sea turtles do not have green shells.

The name comes from the greenish color of the fat beneath their shell. Their carapace can range from olive and brown to gray or darker shades.

What Do Green Sea Turtles Eat?

Adult green sea turtles are primarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on seagrasses and algae.

This is one of the reasons they are commonly found in shallow coastal habitats with healthy seagrass beds.

Akumal Bay provides important feeding and resting habitat for green sea turtles and other marine species.

Migration, Nesting & Life Cycle

Green sea turtles can migrate hundreds or even thousands of miles between feeding grounds and nesting beaches.

Adult females return to sandy beaches to lay their eggs, usually nesting at night.

A green turtle lays approximately 110 eggs per nest and may nest several times during a reproductive season. After approximately two months of incubation, the hatchlings emerge and make their way toward the ocean.

Green turtles are long-lived animals and are estimated to live 70 years or more.

Why Do Sea Turtles Come to the Surface?

Sea turtles are reptiles and breathe air with lungs. Although they spend almost their entire lives in the ocean, they must periodically return to the surface to breathe.

Their breathing intervals vary greatly depending on whether they are swimming, feeding or resting. 

Green Turtles in Akumal, Riviera Maya

Akumal Bay is an important feeding and resting area for several species of sea turtles, including the green turtle (Chelonia mydas).

Its shallow waters and seagrass beds create an important marine habitat and have also made Akumal one of the best-known turtle observation areas in the Riviera Maya.

The area is protected and turtle snorkeling is regulated to help reduce disturbance to the animals and their habitat.

Responsible Turtle Snorkeling

When observing sea turtles in Akumal, never touch, chase, feed or block a turtle. Keep a respectful distance, allow the animal to move freely, avoid damaging seagrass or coral and always follow your authorized guide and current local regulations.

Green turtles are wild animals, so sightings and behavior can never be guaranteed.

These basic principles agree with CONANP's conservation rules for Akumal, which specifically prohibit touching, feeding, pursuing or disturbing turtles.

Discover the Maya World & Green Turtles of Akumal

Want to experience these environments for yourself?

The Discover Our Maya World tour combines the archaeological site of Tulum, snorkeling in Cenote Dos Ojos and guided turtle snorkeling in Akumal into one Riviera Maya adventure.

Discover Our Maya World — $150 USD  per person. Minimum booking: 2 people

Explore Our Snorkeling Tours

Written by Luis Velasco

PADI MSDT #230707

SDI/TDI Instructor #43504