Written by Mony Figueroa

If you’ve been craving the calm side of Tulum, Tankah Bay is where you’ll find it. It’s the Riviera Maya’s most underrated hideaway, perfect for travelers who want all of Tulum’s beauty, minus the chaos.

Tucked just ten minutes north of Tulum’s buzz, this little stretch of coastline feels like a secret: private, protected by a coral reef, and lined with villas that look straight out onto still turquoise water. You won’t find beach clubs or party crowds here. Instead, you’ll wake up to pelicans gliding low across the bay, spend lazy days between your pool and the shore, and end your nights with a chef-prepared dinner under the stars.

Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

When to Visit Tankah Bay

Let’s start with timing, because Tankah Bay changes its rhythm through the year.

High Season (December to April)
This is when the Riviera Maya shines: dry, breezy, and perfect for beach days. The water is calm and clear, and you’ll get that winter-sun feeling everyone dreams about. Book early if you’re coming for the holidays.

Shoulder Season (May to August)
Warm, quiet, and ideal for travelers who want the bay all to themselves. Days are longer, and you might even spot sea turtles nesting along the beach. Just keep in mind: you may see some seaweed during these months, though Tankah’s reef usually keeps it light.

Rainy / Hurricane Season (September to November)
You’ll get tropical showers, but they rarely last all day. The trade-off? Even fewer crowds and lush jungle everywhere you look. If you’re planning a villa stay, this season can feel extra cozy, perfect for slow mornings and private chef dinners while the rain hums outside.

How to Get to Tankah Bay

The easiest way is through the new Tulum International Airport (TQO), just about 30 minutes away. You can also fly into Cancún (CUN), a scenic 1.5 to 2-hour drive south along the coast. Your concierge can arrange private transfers (and trust us, that’s the move).

Or if you like to explore, rent a car. The road to Tankah is straightforward, and you’ll want the freedom to pop into Tulum’s restaurants, cenotes, or nearby ruins on your own time. Just remember: Tankah is a gated community, so you’ll need access clearance from your villa host.e way. For a smoother ride, private boat charters are also available and worth every cent.

What to Do in Tankah Bay

Tankah isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing less. Still, if you want to mix a little adventure into your downtime, here’s how to do it right:

Swim in Casa Cenote: A natural channel that connects the bay to underground rivers. It’s shallow, crystal-clear, and lined with mangroves, a dream for snorkeling or paddleboarding.
Kayak the Bay: The calm waters are perfect for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding at sunrise. You’ll often spot fish, stingrays, and even the occasional turtle.
Snorkel the Reef: Tankah’s reef sits just offshore, protecting the bay and creating some of the most tranquil snorkeling in the region. Bring your gear or ask your concierge to arrange a private guide and boat.
Explore Nearby: Tulum’s ruins and cenotes are just minutes away. Spend a morning exploring the ancient site overlooking the sea, or head inland to the Coba ruins for a deeper jungle adventure.

Where to Eat

Tankah Bay keeps things refreshingly simple when it comes to food, and that’s exactly the point. There aren’t dozens of restaurants here, just a few laid-back spots where your toes are in the sand and the seafood couldn’t be fresher.

Start with Casa Cenote Restaurant, the classic beachside stop for fish tacos, ceviche, and an ice-cold beer between swims. A couple of nearby boutique hotels like Blue Sky and Alea Tulum also welcome outside guests, serving wood-fired dishes and modern Mexican plates with a view.

That said, most travelers never bother leaving their villa. With a private chef, dinner becomes part of the experience, just imagine grilled lobster by the pool, candle-lit meals under the palms, or mezcal tastings as the sun goes down.

And when you’re ready for a change of scene, Tulum’s restaurant world is just 10–15 minutes away, with everything from barefoot taco joints to jungle fine dining.

Travel Tips & Essentials

Bring a bit of cash.
Most restaurants and cenotes around Tankah still prefer pesos for small tabs and tips. Cards are accepted in Tulum, but cash keeps things simple when you’re staying bay-side.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen.
You’ll spend a lot of time between the beach and the cenote, and many places prohibit regular sunscreen to protect the water. A mineral one is your best bet.
Water shoes are a small luxury.
The bay’s seabed is dotted with coral and rocks, so having a pair makes slipping in and out of the water easy (and saves a few “ouch” moments).
Expect to unplug a little.
Wi-Fi and signal can be spotty in parts of the bay, but every Maya Luxe villa comes fully equipped for work or streaming. Think of it less as a disconnect, more as a soft reminder to slow down.
Plan for small local fees.
Like the rest of Quintana Roo, there’s a standard visitor tax (around $15 USD per person) and a small nightly environmental fee collected by your villa, both help preserve the area’s beauty.

More Than Just a Bahía Bonita

This little bay is one of those rare places where coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves, and sea turtles all coexist in harmony. It’s a whole ecosystem quietly thriving right outside your villa.

The bay is naturally protected by a coral reef that keeps the water calm and clear, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. That same reef is home to a colorful cast of marine life like French and queen angelfish, blue tangs, damselfish, chubs, and more.

Just steps inland, Casa Cenote (also called Cenote Manatí) connects the freshwater underground rivers with the sea. It’s a magical place to swim or snorkel, where you might spot both saltwater and freshwater species gliding through the same clear channel.

Sea Turtles

Tankah Bay is also an important nesting site for sea turtles, especially loggerhead, while green and hawksbill turtles are more common around neighboring Soliman Bay. The nesting season runs roughly from April through January, with hatchlings emerging about 50 to 60 days later.

You won’t always see turtles while swimming, but knowing they choose these beaches to nest makes the bay feel even more special. If you visit during nesting season, you may notice protected areas on the sand or tracks from a mother turtle who came ashore the night before.

Ready to visit Tankah Bay?

Few places in the Riviera Maya let you experience so many natural elements in one spot: a living reef, calm turquoise shallows, mangrove-lined cenotes, and turtle nesting grounds. Tankah Bay is that rare mix of natural beauty and effortless luxury, and once you’ve found it, you’ll wonder how it stayed under the radar this long.

When you’re ready to plan your stay, our curators will help you find the perfect spot on the bay. From beachfront estates with private chefs to hidden gems ideal for groups, we’ll match you with the home that feels like yours in paradise.