Dive With Martin

Located at the Marina FONATUR in Cozumel, Dive With Martin has been a fixture of the local diving scene for over three decades. The centre operates with a boutique philosophy, intentionally avoiding the high-volume, rushed schedules often found in larger operations. Instead, the focus remains on providing a refined, personalised experience for every diver.

This is a centre built on family values and a deep, generational respect for the ocean. By keeping boat loads small, they ensure you spend more time on the bottom and less time waiting. It is an ideal choice for those who want to experience the world-famous Cozumel currents with intention and expertise.

The team combines decades of local reef expertise with a new generation of passionate professionals. This blend of experience and energy ensures that briefings are precise and that the specific nuances of the Cozumel reefs are communicated clearly to every diver.

Safety is a core pillar of their operation, with oxygen, first aid kits, and professional marine safety systems always kept on board. The staff operates in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear communication for an international clientele. With a guide-to-diver ratio of one instructor or divemaster for every four divers, you are always in capable hands.

As a PADI affiliated centre, Dive With Martin offers a comprehensive range of training from entry-level to professional levels. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or work towards their Open Water Diver certification. For those looking to advance, they provide courses for Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster.

Specialty training is also a significant part of their programme. You can refine your skills through the Peak Performance Buoyancy, Deep Diver, Drift Diver, and Boat Diver courses. They also offer specialised reef and fish identification programmes, including Underwater Naturalist, to deepen your understanding of the local ecosystem.

The centre operates a fleet of six fast, modern boats designed specifically for the Cozumel environment. These vessels are equipped with rear platforms, allowing for effortless entries and exits during drift dives.

To ensure a comfortable experience between dives, the boats are stocked with fresh fruit, snacks, and purified water. Nitrox is available on board, and the boats are fully equipped with all necessary safety gear for every excursion.

The centre provides high-quality rental kit, including BCDs, regulators, fins, and masks. For those requiring extra protection, wetsuits are available in both 3mm shorty and 5mm full-length options. Dive computers are mandatory for all dives, and these can be hired on-site if you do not have your own.

Following your dives, the centre offers free rinsing and secure storage for your personal equipment. The shore-based facilities are designed to support a seamless transition from the boat back to your accommodation.

The reefs are a riot of colour, dominated by hard corals, brain corals, elkhorn coral, and various sea rods. You will see a stunning array of fixed life, including large barrel sponges, giant sponges, red coral sponges, deep-water sponges, and various gorgonians like sea fans (Gorgoniidae).

Macro life enthusiasts will find plenty to observe, from the intricate details of Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) to various seahorses (Hippocampus kuda) and pipefish. Look closely for scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), various crabs, arrow crabs, and banded coral shrimps among the reef structure.

The larger residents of the reef include a variety of turtles, such as Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). You will frequently encounter large schools of fish, including snappers, groupers (Epinephelus), and various angelfish (Pomacanthidae).

For those interested in pelagics, the area is home to various sharks, including the Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and Caribbean reef sharks. During the season from November to March, you may also encounter the Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas). Other notable visitors include eagle rays (Aetobatus), spotted eagle rays, and various species of rays (Batoidea).

Cozumel is world-renowned for its drift diving. The centre specialises in navigating these legendary currents, ensuring that you experience the movement of the water in a controlled and intentional manner.

While the currents are a primary feature of the diving here, the centre's expertise allows divers to enjoy the drift without unnecessary haste. Always be aware that certain advanced sites will require specific experience to handle the local conditions safely.