Under the October sun, where turquoise waves kiss the sand, the Riviera Maya prepares for one of its most meaningful gatherings. From October 24–26, 2025, the 23rd Sea Turtle Festival will take place across Tulum, Akumal, and Xcacel, three emblematic coastal towns that share a special bond with the sea turtle.
This annual festival is more than just a tradition—it’s a call to awareness. 🌍 It celebrates the life of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), an ancient mariner that has roamed the oceans for millions of years, always returning to the same sandy shores where it was born. That is not only poetry—it’s pure biology.
🐢 A Species With History
Loggerhead turtles are resilient survivors. Scientists explain that these turtles nest about four times per season, with cycles occurring every two to three years. And when they return, they return home. This extraordinary ritual of life and resilience is exactly why the Sea Turtle Festival holds such importance for the region.
The nesting season usually runs from May through September, with the busiest months being June and July. By October, the nesting period is winding down, but it’s the perfect time to pause, celebrate, and reflect on the impact of conservation.
🎉 A Festival That Blends Culture and Nature
The Sea Turtle Festival is designed for everyone—locals, tourists, families, and children. Each location brings its own rhythm, but together they create a shared experience:
- 🎨 Tulum: Beachside art installations, youth-driven performances, and eco-awareness events.
- 🔬 Akumal: Hands-on science stations and interactive workshops that highlight Akumal’s role as a turtle-friendly destination.
- 🌿 Xcacel: A sanctuary and national treasure where visitors gain rare insight into the behind-the-scenes work of conservationists.
Beyond activities, the festival transforms the beach into a classroom. Workshops, talks, and cultural performances combine fun and education, showing how community and conservation go hand in hand.
🌍 Why Akumal Is Special
Akumal means “place of the turtles” in Mayan, and the name says it all. For decades, this bay has been one of the most famous turtle-watching sites in the Riviera Maya. Visitors can often snorkel alongside green, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles grazing on sea grass. 🐢💦
But this popularity has also brought challenges. Unregulated tourism, pollution, and coastal development threaten turtle habitats. That’s why the Sea Turtle Festival in Akumal carries an extra weight—it reminds both locals and visitors that eco-tourism must put “eco” first.
During the festival, Akumal highlights exactly this: how tourism, science, and community efforts can coexist for the sake of these fragile ecosystems.
🌱 Ancient Ritual Meets Modern Awareness
Sea turtles have been part of Riviera Maya traditions for generations. For many families, helping with hatchling releases or attending the festival is a beloved ritual that ties children, parents, and even grandparents together.
At the same time, modern science and conservation are at the heart of the event. Experts explain the importance of reducing artificial light, protecting nesting beaches, and limiting coastal construction. Each talk, each children’s activity, is more than entertainment—it’s a piece of a larger puzzle.
The message is clear: without community action, there is no conservation.
👧 Activities for All Ages
What makes the festival so special is its inclusiveness. Kids get to paint turtle masks, join storytelling circles, or release hatchlings into the surf. Adults can attend lectures, art shows, or simply soak in the atmosphere.
Highlights include:
- 🐢 Live turtle releases at sunset
- 🎭 Community performances inspired by nature
- 📚 Workshops on sustainability and eco-living
- 🎶 Live music with local and regional artists
- 🍲 Local food stands offering a taste of the Riviera Maya
It’s a mix of celebration and education—a way to show that protecting turtles isn’t a sacrifice but a joy.
⚠️ The Bigger Picture
In recent years, the Riviera Maya has seen rapid development. Hotels, highways, and artificial lighting have disrupted the natural cycles of turtles. Loggerheads, like their cousins the green and hawksbill turtles, face multiple threats: habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
Festivals like this one might seem small in scale, but their impact is powerful. They inspire young generations, raise awareness among travelers, and give visibility to the scientists and volunteers who dedicate their lives to conservation.
Every painted mask, every hatchling released, every workshop attended is part of a larger movement—one that blends tradition, science, and community action.
🌊 A Ripple Effect Beyond October
Although the festival lasts only three days, its influence stretches across the year. Visitors leave with a deeper connection to nature, children grow up with eco-consciousness, and communities strengthen their traditions.
In the end, the festival is more than a celebration. It’s a reminder that the beach doesn’t just belong to tourists with towels and sunscreen—it also belongs to ancient mariners who return, against all odds, to lay their eggs in the sand.
And perhaps that’s the quiet genius of this event: it teaches without preaching, it invites without overwhelming, and it inspires without losing its joy.
So whether you’re in Tulum, Akumal, or Xcacel this October, don’t miss the Sea Turtle Festival. Bring your family, your friends, and your sense of wonder. Because protecting the turtles isn’t only about them—it’s about us, our connection to the sea, and the future we want to share. 🌴🐢✨
📲 Where to Find More Info
The full program of the Sea Turtle Festival Akumal will be published on their official social media pages. Follow them on Facebook to stay updated with schedules, workshops, and turtle release times. ✨
