Mares Dive Center

Mares Dive Center is situated in Ensenada, Baja California, approximately 130 km from San Diego. As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre (IDC), it serves as a primary training hub for the region, catering to everyone from those taking their first breaths underwater to professional instructor candidates.

The centre's location provides access to a varied underwater topography, ranging from protected reef flats to more challenging offshore sites. Whether you are looking to complete your Open Water Diver qualification or advance into technical diving, the facility is equipped to manage a wide spectrum of experience levels.

The centre operates with a professional structure, maintaining a maximum ratio of four divers per guide to ensure close supervision and safety. This approach is particularly beneficial for students working through PADI courses or divers tackling more complex environments.

As an IDC, the team includes qualified instructors capable of teaching the full range of PADI certifications. Their expertise extends into technical disciplines, making them a reliable choice for those looking to progress beyond standard recreational limits.

The training programme is extensive, covering the entire PADI progression. You can start with Discover Scuba Diving or Open Water Diver, and move through to Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver.

For those looking to professionalise, the centre offers Divemaster and Instructor Development Courses (IDC). Technical training is also a core component of their curriculum, with specific courses available for Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Dry Suit Diver, and full technical diving modules.

The centre provides a full range of equipment for hire, allowing you to travel light. This includes essential kit such as regulators, BCDs, and wetsuits, as well as specialised items like torches for night dives.

For those looking to extend their bottom time, Nitrox is available on-site. The facility is set up to support both recreational and technical divers with the necessary gas blending and equipment requirements.

The marine life in this region is remarkably diverse. You can expect to encounter a variety of reef fish, groupers, rays, and moray eels patrolling the structures. The area is also home to spiny lobsters and sea urchins amongst the hard corals.

For those interested in larger pelagics or more charismatic species, the area hosts seals and various types of rays. You may also spot sea lions and turtles depending on the specific site and conditions.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to observe, including nudibranchs and various species of reef fish. The presence of kelp forests, which appear a few times a year at Puerto Zepellin, provides a different habitat for specialised species to thrive.

Diving conditions in Ensenada vary by season. The period from March to November generally offers the best underwater conditions and impressive visibility. Between December and February, the area offers a good balance of surface temperatures and species variety, which is the optimal time to visit Isla Todos Santos.

Ocean conditions can change; La Bufadora is known for occasional strong currents and heavy swell, requiring a higher level of experience. Conversely, sites like Campo Kennedy are specifically chosen for their protection from open ocean currents.