Frequently Asked Questions about Scuba Diving in Mexico
Here’s what previous visitors have asked…
Scuba Diving Deep Mexico
What is the minimum age requirement for scuba diving?
The minimum age requirement for scuba diving with DEEP Mexico is 10 years old.
What is the ratio of divers to dive guide?
At DEEP Mexico, we believe in a personal service and want you to be a friend for life and not just another client. For this we only take small groups diving.
For cenote dives, our largest groups contain 4 divers. For ocean dives the maximum ratio of divers to dive guide is 4:1.
For larger groups, please contact us and we can make arrangements to accommodate you.
How long is each dive typically?
Each dive typically lasts between 40 minutes and an hour, depending on factors such as air consumption, water conditions, and dive site rules.
Are there options for night diving?
Yes, there are options for night diving with DEEP Mexico. A night dive allows you to experience a different type of underwater experience and encounter different sea creature who are more active at night.
Are there any additional certifications required for certain dive sites?
For most of the ocean dive sites in Playa del Carmen, just an Open Water Certification is required. However, some dive experiences, such as diving with bull sharks, or the shipwreck in Playa del Carmen, Mama Viña, lie deeper than the open water limit.
For these dives, you need to have additional qualifications, either a deep dive certification or Advanced Open Water Certification.
If you prefer, these qualifications can be arranged through DEEP Mexico during your time with us.
Cenotes are an overhead environment, but you do not need to have any technical qualifications to dive in them. We do ask that you have a good control of your buoyancy and have completed at least XX dives before visiting the cenotes.
How do I book a scuba diving tour?
You can book a scuba diving tour by sending us a WhatsApp message.
You can also book by calling us directly or emailing us.
Our Equipment
Are there any additional fees for equipment rental?
Our dive prices cover the cost of the actual diving, including tank costs, marine park fees, and guides. There is a small additional fee for equipment rental if you do not have your own.
Each piece of equipment costs $5 USD per dive day, or $20 for a full set of gear.
The full set includes BCD, regulator, mask, fins, and wetsuit.
A dive computer may also be rented at the cost of $15 per dive day.
You are responsible for damage to any equipment loaned/rented to you throughout your dives. Damaged or lost gear will be charged at replacement value.
Can I take underwater photos or videos when scuba diving?
Yes, you are allowed to take underwater photos or videos during most dives. There are some cenotes which do charge an additional fee for cameras, and some cenotes do not allow photography at all.
If you enjoy the bull shark dive with DEEP Mexico, you can take photographs, but must not use strobes or a flash.
Are there options for diving with nitrox?
Yes, there are options for diving with nitrox. Please contact us if you prefer to use nitrox for your scuba dives. There is no additional charge for a nitrox tank.
If you wish to become nitrox certified during your scuba trip, we can also arrange this for you.
Is transportation to and from the dive site included?
Yes, transportation to and from the dive site is included in the tour package.
DEEP Mexico offers pick-up and drop-off services from most hotels in the downtown area of Playa del Carmen.
For hotels outside of the area, please contact us to arrange transportation options.
What should I bring for my scuba diving day?
For your scuba diving day, you should bring a swimsuit, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, any equipment, a hat, and maybe a small amount of cash.
For a boat dive, we recommend using a dry bag, as items on the boat can get wet.
Please avoid bringing valuables on your dive excursion. DEEP Mexico cannot be held liable for any items, lost or damaged during a dive.
Cancellation Policies
What is the cancellation policy for scuba diving tours?
For scuba diving tours we require a 50% deposit up front to secure your date. If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, no refund will be given. No shows will not be refunded.
DEEP Mexico has a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol abuse. At our discretion, any diver found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during a dive day will not be permitted to dive and will not be eligible for a refund.
What is the policy for bad weather conditions and dive cancellations?
In the case of bad weather conditions, the safety of our divers is our top priority. If the harbor master determines that conditions are not safe for diving, the dive may be cancelled and rescheduled for another time, or a full refund will be issued.
Cenote diving is very rarely impaired by adverse weather.
If the harbor is closed, we can often offer to take you cenote diving instead.
Are there any medical restrictions for scuba diving?
Yes, there are certain medical restrictions for scuba diving, including but not limited to heart conditions, lung conditions, and epilepsy.
Please review this medical questionnaire to determine if you have any medical conditions that may impact your ability to dive.
Is dive insurance included?
You should provide your own insurance that covers you in the highly unlikely event that you are involved in a dive accident. If you do not own a policy that covers scuba diving, you can visit the DAN website to find a policy to suit you.
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept payment by credit card, debit card, and PayPal. We also accept cash payments in Mexican pesos or US Dollars, at the exchange rate of the day.
About DEEP Mexico
Who are DEEP Mexico?
DEEP Mexico are a scuba diving company offering diving excursions in the ocean, in cenotes, and with bull sharks, in Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel.
DEEP Mexico offers certification courses from beginners to advanced, including Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air Diver, and Rescue Diver, with guides who speak multiple languages including English, German, Italian, and Spanish.
The owner, Gustavo, is a diving instructor with over 20 years of experience in various types of diving, including ocean, cave, and shipwreck diving.
What makes DEEP Mexico your best choice for scuba diving in the Riviera Maya?
DEEP Mexico believes in providing a quality scuba diving experience with small groups of divers.
We believe in giving you personalized attention with expertly certified diving guides and instructors to make your day the best it can possibly be!
What safety measures does DEEP Mexico have in place for scuba diving excursions?
At DEEP Mexico, we prioritize the safety of our divers. All dive guides are certified and trained in emergency first response procedures. We also have a comprehensive safety plan in place, including emergency oxygen and first aid equipment on board the boat.
All of our rental equipment is modern and regularly serviced.
Can DEEP Mexico make special accommodations for disabilities or specific needs?
Yes, you can request special accommodations for disabilities or specific needs. Please let us know in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
Can I request a specific language speaking dive guide?
At DEEP Mexico, we have guides who speak both English and Spanish. We may be able to accommodate additional language preferences on request.
Shark Diving with DEEP Mexico
How can I go diving with bull sharks?
To be able to dive with sharks in Playa del Carmen it is necessary to have the open water certification and have at least 10 dives.
If it has been several years since you last dived, we highly recommend taking a refresher course, so that you ensure your skills are up to date.
This will ensure that your diving will be safer, and you can concentrate on just enjoying the magnificent experience of diving with bull sharks.
Is diving with bull sharks dangerous?
Shark diving is not dangerous at all. The belief that sharks are dangerous is due to fictitious Hollywood movies like Jaws, and documentaries that have been made which exaggerate and misinform the truth about sharks.
On a bull shark observation dive, you will realize that these sharks are very active, curious and above all not dangerous.
When is the bull shark season in Playa del Carmen?
The shark diving season in Playa del Carmen begins in the month of November.
The sharks stay in the area of the coasts of Quintana Roo during the months of November, December, January, February and sometimes even March.
Can I swim with bull sharks in Cozumel?
The bull sharks that come to the waters of the Riviera Maya are usually only found around the dive site know as ‘Shark Point’.
This site is around 27m deep and is not too far away from the shore of Mamitas beach in Playa del Carmen.
If you are staying in Cozumel, we recommend you take the ferry that leaves in the morning from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, and we will pick you up near the Ferry terminal.
What Certification is required for Bull Shark Diving?
As the bull shark dive site lies at 27m below the surface, you need to have an advanced diving certification to participate, and a minimum of 10 logged dives.
If you only have an Open Water diving certification, please contact us to arrange an adventure dive to see the sharks.
Cenote Diving with DEEP Mexico
What is a cenote?
Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with fresh water that are only found in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico.
They are formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, exposing the groundwater below.
What is cenote diving?
When you go cenote diving, you dive within the entrance of the cave entrance – the cavern.
Cave diving itself requires very specific training, but you can enjoy diving in cenotes even as an open water diver.
Is scuba diving in cenotes safe?
Yes, scuba diving in cenotes is perfectly safe if done with a certified and experienced guide and following proper diving procedures.
How does cenote diving differ from ocean diving?
Cenote diving and ocean diving are two distinct types of diving experiences.
Cenotes are an overhead environment, which requires more skill and buoyancy control. They are also fresh water, compared with the salty water of the ocean.
The marine life is obviously different, with many more fish and creatures to see in the ocean. In cenotes, its more the impressive structures and light displays that leave you in awe.
How deep are cenotes and what kind of visibility can I expect?
Cenotes vary in depth, with some being only a few meters deep, and others being seemingly bottomless pits!
Visibility is usually clear, with some cenotes having visibility up to 30 meters or more.
Is it necessary to have previous diving experience before diving in cenotes?
It is required that you have at least an Open Water certification before diving in cenotes with DEEP Mexico.
Some cenotes also require further certification levels, due to their level of difficulty.
If you want to experience cenote diving as a Discovery Scuba Dive, it is possible to take you diving in one of the open cenotes.