A diving trip to Mexico: ten days on the Mexican Caribbean coast, diving the reefs off Playa del Carmen, day dives around Cozumel, a Blackwater night dive, a bull shark dive and the Tulum cenotes. The trip is for divers with at least an Advanced Open Water certificate; if you do not have one yet, you can take the AOWD course with Divemen before the trip. During the trip you also visit the Chichén Itzá pyramids.
Where we dive
Playa del Carmen
A well-known dive destination on the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Dives here include the reefs Sabalos, Barracuda, Shangrila, Jardines, Cueva de Pargo and Tortuga, the walls Pared Verde, Chuzumbul and Moc-Che, and wrecks.
The bull shark dive
One dive is with bull sharks, at about 24 m. These sharks are not shy, and fish draw them closer to the divers, so they often pass very close.
Cozumel
Around Cozumel, mostly along its western and southern coasts, there are about 30 dive sites; most of the best are part of the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park. The dives follow walls with brightly coloured coral formations. The best-known sites are Punta Sur, Santa Rosa Wall, Palancar Reef and Palancar Caves. Punta Sur is a deep dive where the corals stand out against white sand, and eagle rays are possible. Visibility around Cozumel is usually excellent, so it is worth bringing a camera.
The Blackwater night dive
Blackwater diving is a night dive in the open ocean, about 3 km offshore, over water more than 300 m deep. Every night the largest animal migration in the world takes place: plankton – the larvae of fish, corals and other invertebrates – and other animals rise from the deep to feed near the surface. You dive around a free-drifting lit buoy: the lights attract the animals and mark the start and end point of the dive. Underwater photographers value this dive in particular. It goes ahead if the weather allows.
The Tulum cenotes
Cenotes are flooded cave systems formed by the underground rivers of the region. Inside you see stalactites, stalagmites and ancient marine fossils, and visibility can exceed 50 m.
Dive sites may change with the weather.
Trip plan
The trip lasts ten days: on the first day a transfer takes you from Cancún airport to the hotel, and on the last day back to the airport. In between there are six diving days and two days for excursions:
- On diving days, 2–3 dives at the Playa del Carmen reefs, around Cozumel and in the Tulum cenotes
- The Cozumel day: 2 dives and the Blackwater night dive (weather permitting)
- One day: the bull shark dive and one more dive
- Two days for excursions, one of which you can use for extra dives; the farewell dinner is included in the price
The hotel
You stay in a new 4-star hotel in the centre of Playa del Carmen, on 5th Avenue: a 3-minute walk to the beach and about 15 minutes to the dive centre. The hotel has 20 apartments and a roof terrace for relaxing after diving. Every apartment has a kitchenette, balcony, TV, air conditioning and fast WiFi, and breakfast is included.
Included
- Accommodation in a 4-star hotel in a double room, with breakfast
- Transfers from and to Cancún airport
- At least 13 dives
- Transfers to and from the dive sites
- Dive guides
- Cylinders, weights and belt
Not included
- Flights and visa
- Insurance
- Diving courses
- Rental of personal diving equipment
- Tips
- Excursions and extra transfers
To book a place, send the inquiry below: we will confirm the free places and how to pay.
Frequently asked questions
What level do I need for the trip?
At least an Advanced Open Water (AOWD) certificate; some dives, such as the bull shark dive, are at about 24 m.
Are flights included?
No. Flights usually cost €700–1,100; transfers from and to Cancún airport are included.
How many dives are planned?
Six diving days with at least 13 dives in total: at the Playa del Carmen reefs, around Cozumel and in the cenotes, plus the bull shark dive and, weather permitting, the Blackwater night dive. You can use one excursion day for extra dives.
