Take your Open Water certification further with a 5-dive Advanced course in Playa del Carmen. Learn navigation and deep diving while exploring wrecks, reef walls, night sites, and seasonal shark encounters.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
2–3 days
Fitness Level
Should be comfortable swimming and able to perform basic rescue breathing and buddy skills; moderate fitness for descending and long surface intervals.
Wildlife
History
Playa del Carmen serves as a long-standing gateway to the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, and local operators have built decades of experience diving these sites.
Conservation
The marine park fee supports reef management; divers are encouraged to use biodegradable sunscreen and follow a strict no-touch, leave-no-trace policy.
Bring your certification card
You must present your Open Water certification at check-in; junior certs accepted from age 10.
Book bull shark dives early
Bull shark trips are seasonal and limited; check availability with Dive Mike before planning your course.
Night dive minimum
Night dives require at least four divers—coordinate schedules in advance to ensure the option runs.
Pay marine park fee at shop
Have 200 MXN per person per day ready to pay the marine park fee at the dive shop before ocean dives.
Mask and snorkel
A well-fitting mask helps you focus on skills and spotting marine life during training dives.
summer
Personal dive computer
Tracks depth and no-decompression limits for safer, skill-focused dives.
3mm wetsuit
Comfort and thermal protection across variable Caribbean temperatures and longer surface intervals.
spring
Dive torch
Essential for night dives and helpful for wreck or macro-focused specialties.