Mexico · SCUBA DIVING
Cozumel drift diving, cavern dives in the cenotes and the Sea of Cortez on the other coast. These 15 are compared on certification requirements, number of tanks and whether the boat ride is twenty minutes or an hour.
Start with a PADI video and hands-on training, then take two boat trips to Cozumel’s Paradise Reef. Instructors such as Jorge, Gabo, Diego, Aldo, and Javier work closely with beginners, while the crew provides full gear, snacks, drinks, and patient support in the water.
“The captain and the instructor were great! The instructor was very patient. Will book with them again!”
Meet your guide at 8am in Playa del Carmen for a small-group scuba trip to Cenote Dos Ojos. With guides such as Pepe, Don, Alexis, and Ana, you’ll complete two different underwater routes, including the Bat Cave and Barbie Line, with gear, transport, snacks, and lunch provided. A certified Open Water diver must be at least 15 and have dived within six months.
“What an amazing, otherworldly experience 🤩 I expected a great dive and this one exceeded every expectation. It is my new favorite, and I can’t wait to come back for more. Pepe was fantastic with safety and explanations. The site was spectacular. Nothing was rushed, and I felt very comfortable and confident the entire time. You will not regret booking this dive!”
Meet Clemente, Lorainna, or another Go Diving Cancun instructor at the Pescador marina for a 35-minute lesson, pool practice, and two guided ocean descents. You will visit MUSA at 33 feet, then a natural reef, with equipment, snacks, drinks, and boat transport included. Hotel transfers and wetsuits cost extra.
“Great experience the guide help me so I could complete the dive ! First dive I would recommend smaller group .”
Meet at 8 am in Playa del Carmen for a small-group scuba outing to Cenote Kukulkan. Your multilingual guide, possibly Remi, handles the gear, safety briefing, and two descents on different lines. Expect Mayan and cenote history, striking light effects, snacks, transport, and lunch, with a MX$300 entrance fee extra.
“The entire dive from beginning to end was absolutely amazing! There were only 4 divers so the group was smaller and more intimate. Our guide was out of this world! He was full of information not just about the dive but the history of the Cenote’s and explained the scientific history of what we were seeing. He made sure to make all the right stops along the way pausing at places so we could simply take in the beauty of the light refractions. Cannot say enough good things!!! When I come back to Mexico I will for sure being coming back to dive them again!!!!”
Meet Manta Scuba Diving in Cabo’s marina for two guided tank descents in the protected Sea of Cortez. Certified participants visit nearby sites such as Pelican Rock, see sea lions and colorful fish, and cruise past Lover’s Beach and the Arch. Guides including Angela, Kosta, Noel, and Sebastian have earned praise for careful instruction and personal attention.
“Top rate dive company. They took great care in every aspect. They also did all the heavy lifting. Well Done!”
Meet your PADI instructor at Manta Scuba Diving in Cabo’s marina, learn basic skills, then take a short boat ride to the marine park. Small groups, patient guides such as Martin, Angela, Julio, and Loris, and frequent underwater checks make this a strong first scuba experience. Tanks and weights are included, while equipment use costs extra.
“It was such an amazing experience scuba diving in Los Cabos! It was my boyfriend’s first time and my second time (but I’m definitely not an expert — I still get nervous!). Our instructor, Martin, was absolutely awesome. He was patient, calm, and made us feel safe the whole time. He explained everything clearly and kept checking on us underwater, which really helped me relax and enjoy the dive. The water was beautiful, and we got to see so many colorful fish and coral. It was such a memorable experience — especially for my boyfriend’s first dive! Highly recommend this place and Martin if you’re looking for a fun and…”
Start at Hotel Sotavento with a health check, classroom lesson, and pool practice led by instructors such as Lorena, Marin, and Carolina. Then take a boat to MUSA Underwater Museum and Manchones Reef for two guided scuba sessions. The group is capped at eight, equipment and wetsuit included, and the outing returns around 1 p.m.
“We arrived according to the location directions and found the diving team easily at the hotel pool. They started with explanations and a pool theory class. I loved our instructor Lorena. Her explanations were thorough and clear and we practiced the three skills she taught us in the pool. We set out for Isla Mujeres on the tiny little diving boat. The ocean was incredibly rocky that day, the Mexican Navy having just opened the beaches after days of storming. The crew was amazing, helping me stay seated when the rocking threatened to unseat me. Feeling a little seasick despite the medication I took, the instructor Lorena rallied me, helping…”
At Jeanie’s Beach Club in downtown Cozumel, you’ll learn simple hand signals, walk about 20 feet below the surface in a SeaTrek helmet, and see fish, coral life, and plane wreckage. No swimming skills are needed. Gear, lockers, two drinks, snorkeling time, and a 15% food discount are included.
“It was an awesome experience! My family of 21 tried it. Some were unable to complete it for various reasons, but all of us enjoyed it.”
You’ll meet Cabo Private Guide at Plaza Nautica at 12:30 p.m., fit your gear, and walk 5 to 8 minutes to a private boat for up to four certified scuba divers. Your instructor chooses two nearby marine reserve sites, offers free refreshers, and sends basic underwater photos afterward.
“It was a perfect day!!! The dives were beautiful with so much sea life!! Our captain and dive instructor were amazing!”
Start at Manta Scuba Diving at 7:30 a.m. for three boat trips in Cabo’s Marine Park and Corridor. Certified divers can see sea lions, rays, eels, turtles, sharks, and seasonal whales, with guides such as Polo, Angela, and Costas helping with equipment and route choices. Groups are limited to six per guide.
“The three dives were fantastic. Great crew and great company! We saw eagles rays, stonefish, eels, beautiful reef and tropical fish everywhere. Wonderful dives.”
Meet your PADI instructor at Coconut Divers Cancun for a theory lesson and pool practice, then make two open-water descents at MUSA and Manchones Reef. Guides such as Gonzalo, Ulysses, Alex, and Arthur are praised for calm instruction. Plan for about five hours and extra fees for park entry, pool use, and a wetsuit.
“I wanted limitless time to look around and see what was down there. The scuba guide was knowledgeable and kept us safe. I would’ve liked more time to practice in the pool. We ended up with like 2 hours of nothing between pool practice and leaving the dock. FYI once you get there, there's an extra 43$ charge per person so come prepared.”
Learn scuba basics with instructors such as Marin, Lorena, and Carolina’s team, practice first in a pool, then spend about 45 minutes at MUSA and another reef site. This five-hour outing suits confident swimmers aged 10 to 65 and includes equipment, wetsuit, instruction, and water.
“From start to end it was very well organized and the guide took the appropriate time to explain. He was very professional and he was able to give confort and support to those who had problems equalizing… the scuba diving was amazing as we were able to see a lot of animals/life under water… turtles, lobster, barracuda, mantaray and even a shark… it was incredible!!! It is a bit expensive - in particular if you do it as a family- but is good value for money and an unforgettable experience! Thank you team!!! I highly recommend you that you book the pictures/ video offered by them…”
Join Dive Cabo for two guided boat descents at Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay, about 40 minutes from Cabo’s marina. You may see eagle rays, jacks, tunas, reef formations, and pinnacles. The trip includes snacks, drinks, photos, and an optional scuba refresher, but equipment rental and hotel transport cost extra.
“Ordered through Trip Advisor, this was not the dive location I requested. My dive group is very disappointed and now I am having to fight with Trip Advisor to get refund on a SCUBA diving trip that I never attended. Nightmare!”
Enter Chankanaab Park for a beginner-friendly one-tank scuba experience at Cozumel Reef. A bilingual instructor such as Angel, Leo, Daniel, or Charlie leads a short lesson, shallow practice, and an underwater tour with fish, rays, lobsters, caves, and statues. Your $85 includes park entry, gear, a locker, beach chairs, and a post-tour drink. The $11 marine park fee is extra.
“Very beautiful experience! I could not do the dive as without just 5 min of preparation in the water and then get off right away! This one is for people with more breathing control!! Despite this my sister did the full dive!Auto-translated”
At Hotel Cozumel & Resort, you’ll learn to operate a compact underwater scooter, then follow bilingual guides through shallow Caribbean water for about 30 minutes. Expect fish feeding, close looks at sea life, and careful support from guides such as Joaquin and Jesús. Bring cash for lockers and optional photos.
“The instructor was great. I almost passed out getting into the bubble. I think I became claustrophobic. However my diver helped me relax and the show went on. It was pretty cool. I said no to taking pictures in the beginning but ended up wanting pictures in the end, however it was too late. I just wish they took pictures of everyone regardless, but I had a great time. Thanks for making me feel comfortable guys..”
Limestone, agave, two oceans and a capital.
