PADI Open Water Diver course

The Pro Dive International dive center at the Occidental at Xcaret at Destination is by the hotel's main pool, and a second one is near the lagoon by the main restaurant.

We offer adventure dives to the cenotes, the local wreck, excursions to beautiful sites in Cozumel, whale shark safaris from June to September, and bull shark diving from December to March.

Please note that all dives depart from the Royal Hideaway resort, about a 15-minute drive from Occidental Grand Xcaret, via paid transfer.

We highly recommend participating in our daily excursion to one of the fascinating cenotes – diving in the caverns is a unique experience. We would pick you up at your resort, take you to one of the impressive caverns, and do two tanks in different areas. You will have a nice picnic between the two dives with sandwiches and non-alcoholic drinks. You would only dive in groups of 4 divers per cavern instructor per regulations and safety reasons. It includes transportation in the Riviera Maya, entrance fees, a lamp, a cavern guide, sandwiches, and non-alcoholic drinks. If you want to bring a camera, please be aware that some Cenotes owners charge an extra fee of up to MXN 1000 in cash or strictly do not allow cameras. The water temperature is approximately 24 degrees Celsius/ 75 degrees Fahrenheit. So, we recommend using a 5 mm wetsuit. Please consider that a local reef dive is required before doing cenote dives to ensure you have good buoyancy and diving skills for your safety. The minimum age to dive in cenotes is 15 years old.

The other highlight we recommend is our Cozumel full-day trip. We will pick you up at your resort, cross with the ferry to Cozumel, and go to our dive center in Cozumel at the island's southern end. Thanks to its excellent location close to the Marine Park, we only need 5-10 minutes by boat to reach Cozumel's most beautiful dive spots. You will have lunch in our 4* Resort, and after a double tank dive, we will return to Playa del Carmen and drop you at your hotel. It includes ferry fees, marine park entrance fees, lunch, non-alcoholic drinks, and a guide. Please consider that a local reef dive is required before doing cenote dives to ensure you have good buoyancy and diving skills for your safety.

 Diving with bull sharks is available in winter (November to March, approximately). This dive is specifically designed for experienced divers who have completed a minimum of 25 logged dives. As per local regulations, a reef dive is mandatory before participating in this extraordinary experience. Additionally, it is important to note that wearing a long dark wetsuit is required for this dive.

Every summer, from June to mid-September, whale sharks migrate to Isla Contoy in the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. They gather there to feed on the abundant plankton in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Don't miss out on this exciting summer highlight and have the opportunity to swim with the largest fish in the ocean!

Please note that a pool check is needed if you have not dove within 12 months and a refresher after 24 months.