BEST OF · SCUBA DIVING IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN

Top 15 Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen

47 dives  ·  from $39 a head

Boats fill and the good instructors get taken. Below: the 15 scuba diving in Playa del Carmen to reserve early, what each one includes and where they differ.

Scuba Diving in Cenote Dos Ojos from Playa del Carmen - The 8am start from Playa del Carmen
Cenote Diving, Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Mexico, Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Tour Reviews

Scuba Diving in Cenote Dos Ojos from Playa del Carmen

1.Scuba Diving in Cenote Dos Ojos from Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 453 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) Our pick

Meet your guide at 8am in Playa del Carmen for a small-group scuba outing at Cenote Dos Ojos. Guides such as Pepe, Don, Alexis, and Ana lead two routes, often the Bat Cave and Barbie Line, with gear, snacks, transport, and lunch included. Open Water certification is required.

“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!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Scuba Diving in Cenote Kukulkan from Playa del Carmen - The 8 am start in Playa del Carmen
Cenote Diving, Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Mexico, Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Tour Reviews

Scuba Diving in Cenote Kukulkan from Playa del Carmen

2.Scuba Diving in Cenote Kukulkan from Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 370 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Meet at 8 am in Playa del Carmen for a small-group scuba excursion to Cenote Kukulkan. Guide Remi may lead the trip, with gear, snacks, refreshments, two underwater routes, and lunch included. You need an Open Water certificate, recent experience, and a minimum age of 15.

“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!!!!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Discover Scuba Diving & Beach Club with Transportation In Riviera Maya - Three steps under the surface
Discover Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Mexico, Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Tour Reviews

Discover Scuba Diving & Beach Club with Transportation In Riviera Maya

3.Discover Scuba Diving & Beach Club with Transportation In Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 239 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $150

At Maroma Beach, learn scuba basics in a short theory lesson, practice in shallow water, then enter the Mexican Caribbean with a bilingual guide. Carlos, Alex, Juan, Ivan, and Ursula have helped first timers manage nerves. Equipment, insurance, beach access, and shared hotel transport are included.

“The dive masters were so great at explaining everything you need to know and making you feel so comfortable, especially if you’ve never done it before. They are extremely attentive and truly try their best to ensure you enjoy your day!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Two reef discovery dives with professional instructor (no experience necessary) - A practical break before the boat
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Two reef discovery dives with professional instructor (no experience necessary)

4.Two reef discovery dives with professional instructor (no experience necessary)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $150

Start with an SDI instructor briefing and pool practice, then make two boat trips to coral reefs near Playa del Carmen. The group is limited to four, with instructors such as Coral, Alma, Julian, and Paul praised for calm, patient teaching. No prior scuba experience is needed.

“Fantastic experience! The instructor I had was a great teacher and it was obvious he really enjoyed what he was doing. He took great care with the morning learning session; he was very patient and thorough. There were two dives in the afternoon, and I had great difficulty getting comfortable out in the ocean on the first dive. Rather than being a problem for the whole group, I went back to the boat and missed out on the first dive. For the second dive, my instructor literally took me by the hand and spent the time with me getting me comfortable and successfully getting me to dive. I can't thank…”

Dates and spaces →The full review

PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program in the Riviera Maya - Why the small group matters
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PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program in the Riviera Maya

5.PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program in the Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $126

Start with a short safety lesson and pool practice, then head by boat to a Riviera Maya reef with an instructor beside you. Groups are limited to four, gear is supplied, and guides such as Alex, Nicole, Anna, Jordan, and Toby have been praised for calm, patient instruction. Hotel pickup is available in selected areas.

“One of the finest life experiences ever ! The corals are a beauty ! I was a first timer and they took due care of me. Wearing the BCD (buoyancy control device) while training in the swimming pool breathing under water, I thought I would quit. But they patiently train you well enough that you get comfortable. You get personal attention all the way through. Patience is key. I went during the weekdays. It was just 3 of us. 2 trainers. One from Italy, the other from Bilbao. Both spoke fluent English and Spanish. After the training session in the pool, you’re taken right in the ocean for this wonderful…”

Dates and spaces →The full review

PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen - Meeting at Hotel Riu Yucatan in Playacar
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PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen

6.PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $135

Meet at Hotel Riu Yucatan for a short PADI theory lesson, pool practice, and one boat trip to a local reef. Instructor Javier has led this introduction, which suits beginners but requires comfort in open water, medical clearance when needed, and no flying within 24 hours.

“Terrible experience. The training is for less than an hour and is very rushed. The practice "tank" is actually a 3ft resort pool in which we were taught to breathing and hand signs for about 20 minutes. There was no pool lesson on equalizing pressure etc. We spent more time waiting for the boat to arrive than on the lessons itself. I felt very uncomfortable after the lesson and chose not to go into the ocean. My husband went and within 10ft in the ocean felt ear pain and couldn't complete it. This would've been identified if the practice tank was deeper. We spent a lot of money for nothing...…”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Cozumel Dive Package - Certified Divers from the Riviera Maya (4 dives) - Day one on the Riviera Maya reefs
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Cozumel Dive Package – Certified Divers from the Riviera Maya (4 dives)

7.Cozumel Dive Package – Certified Divers from the Riviera Maya (4 dives)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $378

Spend two days with Pro Dive International on four guided scuba sessions, including local Riviera Maya reefs and two Cozumel reef outings. Expect small groups of up to 12, a ferry crossing, lunch in Cozumel, and guides such as David, Phil, and Ricardo, subject to assignment.

“ProDive is one of the top companies in the district, covering Cancun all the way down to Tulum. Instructors are excited to share their passion of scuba diving with their customers. Sales and admin on the other hand are a whole different matter. After equalization issues and bad weather, we decided to rest for the couple days left of vacation that we had, and when we visited the dive shop for a refund, they became argumentative and combative. 30 minutes of argument later, and the worst Customer Service on the planet, they were adamant to no refund policy. BUYER BEEARE! We have dives across the planet and would never use…”

Dates and spaces →The full review

PADI Open Water Diver Course in the Riviera Maya - Four Boat Sessions Near Cozumel
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PADI Open Water Diver Course in the Riviera Maya

8.PADI Open Water Diver Course in the Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $602

Train with Pro Dive International in Playa del Carmen through five self-study chapters, five pool sessions, and four guided boat sessions near Cozumel. Instructors such as Esteban, Boris, Erica, and Karim have helped beginners build calm, practical skills. The course includes equipment and certification fees.

“An absolute amazing time with Esteban, Marlon and the rest of the team. The friendly, calm and reassuring atmosphere was perfect to learn in and gain the skills required for the ocean.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Half-Day Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen for Small-Group - What happens at Tank-Ha
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Half-Day Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen for Small-Group

9.Half-Day Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen for Small-Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Join Tank-Ha in Playa del Carmen for two boat trips to separate coral reefs, with tanks, weights, a safety briefing, and groups capped at five. Morning outings suit recent Advanced Open Water divers; afternoon trips fit recent Open Water divers. Andrea, Anna, Pol, and Joaquin are among the named instructors.

“I had a very great experience! Anna our guide was absolutely perfect in everything. She made sure I could join the dive since my last one had been a good 6 years earlier. We had 2 different divings in 2 different spots. Both of them very nice despite I might say I preferred the second one. The communication from the very first moment up to the very last second was super as well as the organization. I booked a very last minute activity without any problems. Absolutely highly recommended!!!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Fun Dive Machine in Playa del Carmen or Cozumel-For Certificates - Why a group of four matters
Fun Dives, Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Mexico, Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Tour Reviews

Fun Dive Machine in Playa del Carmen or Cozumel-For Certificates

10.Fun Dive Machine in Playa del Carmen or Cozumel-For Certificates

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $251

Choose two reef sites in Playa del Carmen or take a speedboat to Cozumel, where guides such as Paulina, Ricardo, and Pancho lead certified divers through clear water, walls, turtles, tropical fish, and stingrays. The four-hour outing includes gear, tanks, boat transport, snacks, and water.

“Superb, the lessons were awesome and the dives were really awesome. Great instructor, i panic on entry only but used my yoga breathing with mouth, calm down and it was peachy. Love it and it was my first time ever, i am a horrible swimmer, i learnt swimming in 10 days only 😅 but i did really good with lots of air to spare :)”

Dates and spaces →The full review

PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen - Five pool sessions make the first steps less stressful
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PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen

11.PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 3 days 4 hours (approx.) · from $590

Complete PADI theory online, then train in five pool sessions and four open-water boat trips with ScubaCaribe in Playa del Carmen. Instructors such as Jorge, Dany, Muni, and Lot guide you toward certification, with reefs, turtles, rays, and moray eels possible.

“Today we finished our Open Water course. Our instructor Jorge was fantastic and very educational in all stages. We felt very safe with him and all the staff at Scubacaribe in Rui Yacutan (Playa del Carmen) are very helpful and nice. So of course we booked 2 more dives with Jorge as new OW divers.😃”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Scuba Diving in Cenotes - Choosing between Regular, Adventure, and Extreme
Cenote Diving, Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Mexico, Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Tour Reviews

Scuba Diving in Cenotes

12.Scuba Diving in Cenotes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $190

Meet Be Diving in Playa del Carmen, check your certification and gear, then ride about 40 minutes to the cenotes route near Tulum. With guides such as Jon, Jow, or Carol, you’ll make two 45-minute descents, enjoy a long surface break, and return around 3 PM. Cenote fees cost extra.

“Wonderful experience to dive in Casa Cenote with Jow and Carol. There was a crocodile inside the cenote and we could see him there.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Local Dive in Playa del Carmen - Meeting at Be Diving in Central Playa del Carmen
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Local Dive in Playa del Carmen

13.Local Dive in Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $155

This four-hour scuba outing takes certified divers from Be Diving in central Playa del Carmen to local reefs on a morning or afternoon boat trip. Jon, Mariana, Javi, or another professional guide may lead your group. Your certification sets the site and underwater time. Equipment costs extra.

“We did a boat dive in Playa and Cozumel. Bediving were very easy to work with and very thorough. We also did a refresher course with them before diving. We highly recommend using them if you’re in the area.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

2-Tank Morning or Afternoon Dives in Playa del Carmen certified Divers Only - Choosing the 8 a.m. morning trip
Dives for Certified Divers, Morning, Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Mexico, Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Tour Reviews, Two-Tank Dives

2-Tank Morning or Afternoon Dives in Playa del Carmen certified Divers Only

14.2-Tank Morning or Afternoon Dives in Playa del Carmen certified Divers Only

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $89Best value

Join Scuba Libre for two boat-based reef descents from Playa del Carmen, guided in English by a professional crew. Certified active divers can choose a deeper morning route, while less experienced or recently inactive divers can select two shallow afternoon descents. Maximum group size is eight.

“Good dive with helpful guides. We enjoyed our experience. We would use this company again and refer them as well.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Scuba Referral Dives & Beach Club with Transportation In Riviera Maya - Underwater sites near Maroma Beach
Scuba Diving Around the World, Scuba Diving in Mexico, Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Tour Reviews

Scuba Referral Dives & Beach Club with Transportation In Riviera Maya

15.Scuba Referral Dives & Beach Club with Transportation In Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $300

Finish your scuba certification in two days with four open-water boat sessions from Maroma Beach. Your instructor supervises each stage, while equipment, hotel transfers, insurance, and beach access are included. Guides may include Alex, Carlos, Alexander, Gandhi, or Amauri.

“I want to give a huge vote of approval to this dive center and to dive master Amauri Zermeño !”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Just written up in Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen

★ 5.0Try dive in beautiful Casa cenote for 2 peopleFrom $1906
★ 5.0Full-Day Playa del Carmen Reef Diving ActivityFrom $1903
★ 5.0Cozumel Express 2-Tank Dives from Playa del Carmen/ Only for Certified DiversFrom $2292
★ 5.0Try dive in Cozumel islandFrom $2004
★ 5.0Private Scuba Diving in Cenote around Playa del Carmen7
★ 5.0Advanced Open Water Diver course PADI in Playa del CarmenFrom $4703
★ 5.0Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen for Small Groups2
★ 5.0Cenotes 2-Day Scuba Diving Package in the Riviera MayaFrom $3519
★ 4.5Dive into Tulum: Tour 3 Cenotes, from Riviera MayaFrom $3915
★ 5.0Diving in Cancun Underwater Museum of ArtFrom $2404
★ 4.5Cenote diving Dream GateFrom $1953
★ 5.0Cenotes diving Dos Ojos and The Bat CaveFrom $2103
★ 5.0Cenotes divingFrom $26012
★ 5.0Discover Scuba Diving PADI in Playa del Carmen including underwater videoFrom $2004
★ 4.0Cenotes 2-Tank Dive in Playa del Carmen/for certified divers onlyFrom $15913

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