Maple Leaf Scuba

Maple Leaf Scuba is a PADI 5 Star IDC Resort situated in the heart of downtown Cozumel. Located just a short walk from the ferry terminal, the shop provides easy access to the island's renowned drift diving and vibrant coral ecosystems. All diving takes place within the protected waters of the Cozumel National Marine Park.

Since 2016, the centre has operated as a PADI ECO Center, maintaining a strong commitment to marine conservation. They offer a structured environment for both recreational divers looking to explore the reefs and professionals working towards their Divemaster or instructor ratings.

The team consists of passionate divers, with most instructors holding PADI Open Water or higher certifications. The centre is notable for its commitment to diversity, having received the PADI award for Outstanding Contribution Toward The Growth Of Women In Diving in 2025. This is reflected in a predominantly female staff.

Safety is a core priority, with a strict diver-to-guide ratio of no more than six divers per guide. The staff is multilingual, capable of conducting business and instruction in English, Spanish, French, and German.

A comprehensive range of PADI courses is available, catering to every stage of a diver's development. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or work towards their Open Water Diver certification. Intermediate and advanced training includes the Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Drift Diver specialties.

For those pursuing a professional career, the centre provides Divemaster training. They also offer various specialty courses such as Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigator, Night Diver, and Sidemount. Conservation-focused training is also available through PADI AWARE Shark Conservation, AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, and Project AWARE.

The centre operates two fast boats to reach the dive sites. The Alana is a 33-foot vessel with a capacity for 10 divers plus crew, powered by twin 2024 Yamaha 200HP engines. The Neddie Peddie is a 30-foot boat that accommodates 12 divers plus crew, equipped with twin 2024 Yamaha 150HP engines.

Both boats are well-equipped for Cozumel's drift diving, carrying essential safety gear including VHF radios, oxygen, first aid kits, life jackets, and life preserver rings. Garmin navigation and compasses are standard on board. For your comfort during the trip, the boats provide water and snacks.

The dive shop offers a full range of rental kit, including BCDs, regulators, masks, fins, snorkels, and wetsuits. For those planning night dives, underwater torches are also available for hire.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time. The shop is conveniently located in downtown Cozumel, directly opposite the Guisados restaurant, making it an easy base for your stay.

The reefs are home to a vast array of pelagic species and reef dwellers. You can regularly spot various sharks, including reef sharks (Carcharhinus) and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), as well as eagle rays (Aetobatus) and occasionally hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini). Large schools of fish, including jacks (Carangidae), snappers (Lutjanus), and various groupers (Epinephelus), are common sights.

In the shallows and reef flats, you will find a high concentration of colourful fish such as angelfish (Pomacanthidae), parrotfish (Calotomus), and damselfish (Pomacentridae). Turtles, including green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), are frequently seen navigating the coral heads.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants include various crustaceans like lobsters (Homaridae), crabs (Brachyura), and banded coral shrimps. On the sandy patches and within the reef structure, look for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), moray eels, southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus), and peacock flounders.

The hardscape is equally impressive, featuring massive barrel sponges, various gorgonians, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and a variety of brain corals and red coral sponges. These structures provide essential habitat for many of the smaller species found throughout the park.

Cozumel is famous for drift diving, where the Yucatan current continuously refreshes the reefs. Currents at dive sites can range from mild to strong and are often unpredictable, particularly at southern sites like Maracaibo or Punta Sur.

Topside conditions can vary; for example, sites at the southern end of the island may experience more significant surface swell due to prevailing tradewinds. This can affect both snorkeling and the ease of boat entries and exits.