Ocean DIVING
What you should know
Dive Center
Due to the fact that we specialize in cavern (cenote) and cave diving here in the Riviera Maya we outsource all our ocean dives to specially selected dive centers. We do not use specifically one dive center, but rather choose the dive center according to our clients.
Dive centers in Playa del Carmen specialize in certain dive services and offer special services for specific clients, for example: different languages, catering for small groups or large groups, etc. We have been here for many years and have gotten to know the local dive centers very well, so we can specially arrange your dives for you depending on your circumstances.
Gear
Regular Open Water scuba diving gear includes the following:
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✦BCD and regulator with secondary octopus (din or international is fine)
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✦Mask, Fins, Snorkel
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✦Wetsuit - 5mm recommended for winter months (Nov-Mar)
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✦Weight belt will be supplied
GUIDEs
Most Ocean Dive Guides are certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors. We regard safety very highly and always try to enforce that the maximum group size is 5 divers per guide.
Guided Ocean diving
Note: Prices do NOT include special gases or Diving Equipment. This can be rented for $15 USD per day.
Playa del Carmen is located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. The second largest barrier reef in the world, The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, is found right here. It stretches from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula all the way down to the Bay Islands of Honduras.
Although we specialize in cavern and cave diving, the Riviera Maya offers such a variety of scuba diving we wouldn´t want you to miss out on a thing.
Our aim is to offer individually tailored dive packages which include ocean and cavern dives. Cozumel is one of the world´s top diving destinations and it is only a short ferry ride from Playa del Carmen. The local dive sites include shallow reefs, wall dives, wreck dives and one in particular, Tortugas Reef. As the name suggest, it is a drift dive over a coral carpet reef with many tropical fish and turtles, in particular, the Hawksbill Turtle (pictured below right).
SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS
Whaleshark Snorkelling Trips to Holbox:
Every year the rich warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico become a safe and calm feeding ground for large numbers of whale sharks, manta rays and many other plankton feeders. The area is home to many traditional fishermen and welcome tourists to enjoy snorkeling with these gentle giants.
The trip starts very early, with a pick
up at your hotel. The trip to the Island of Holbox takes around 4 hours. Upon arrival snacks and coffee is served followed by a briefing of the trip. These trips are strictly controlled and there are no scuba divers allowed in the water. Only two snorkelers plus the guide are permitted to enter the water at a time. You will spend most of the day on the boat where you will have lunch and refreshments available.
Once back on dry land you have some time to explore a little of the island and relax with a cocktail or a cerveza.
You can expect to arrive back at your hotel between 6 and 8pm in the evening. A long day - but definitely not to be missed.
Price: $ 220 USD per person
DIVE PRICES
Double Local Ocean Dives $ 80 USD
Double Cozumel Ocean Dives $130 USD
Special Wreck Dives $110 USD
Single Local Night Dive $ 70 USD
Bull Shark Dive (single dive) $ 80 USD
Whale Shark Snorkeling Trip $220 USD
DIVE PACKAGES
From $ 290 USD for 6 dives:
2-Ocean + 2-Cozumel + 2-Cenote
Contact Us for more details and to get a quote for your specially tailored dive package.
WINTER HIGHLIGHTS Bull Shark Dives:
With only variable temperature changes in winter and summer months the marine life changes are clearly noticeable.
From November the water temperature drops slightly, signaling the start of the bull shark season. It is hypothesized that the pregnant females come to shallower waters to give birth to their young, where they will be safe from the much more aggressive male sharks.
Dives are done as single afternoon dives, normally around 2 pm. The location is now well know to us and is located just 5 minutes from the shore by boat. We descend to 17 meters and form a circle on the sandy bottom.
Bull sharks are renowned as the third most dangerous shark in the world. They are very curious and and can be very aggressive. Males are noticeably smaller than the bulky females. They have much higher levels of testosterone than other sharks which contribute to their aggressive nature. They are one of the few sharks that tolerate fresh water and are often found in rivers and estuaries.
Dives last around 30 minutes and are very safely conducted. There is one guide for every four divers and we are very strict about NOT feeding the sharks. The experience is very humbling and we have a lot of respect for these magnificent creatures.
Price: $ 80 USD per person
