The Go Pro Family

Located in Playa del Carmen, The Go Pro Family is a family-run PADI 5 Star IDC and Platinum center with 14 years of experience operating in the Riviera Maya. The centre serves as a dedicated hub for both recreational divers and those pursuing professional careers in the industry.

While many local operations focus solely on day trips, this centre provides a comprehensive environment for serious progression. With on-site private rooms, a swimming pool, and dedicated classrooms, it is designed to support divers from their first Open Water course through to advanced technical and instructor training.

The centre is led by owners Angel and Jo, both PADI Multi-Platinum Course Directors with nearly 30 years of experience in IDC. Their expertise covers a vast range of disciplines, including Angel’s specialisations as a PADI Tec Instructor, TDI Full Cave Instructor Trainer, and Instructor Trainer for Disabled Divers’ International, and Jo’s role as a Freediver Instructor Trainer.

A multilingual team provides instruction and guiding in English, Spanish, French, and Canadian French. To ensure safety and a personalised experience, the centre maintains a strict ratio of a maximum of four divers per guide during cénote excursions.

As a PADI Eco Center and a member of Green Fins, the team is actively involved in marine conservation through the PADI AWARE Foundation's Adopt the Blue™ programme.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the entire PADI progression from Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver to Rescue Diver and Divemaster. For those looking to enter the professional ranks, the centre is an IDC facility offering courses up to Staff Instructor.

Technical and specialty training is a core focus, with certifications available in Nitrox, Deep, Wreck, Drift, Sidemount, and Cavern Diver. The centre also provides advanced training for cave and technical diving, as well as specialized courses like Ice Diver and Self Reliant Diver.

Beyond scuba, there is a significant emphasis on freediving, with courses ranging from basic Freediver to Master Freediver and Freediver Instructor. Emergency training is also provided through EFR Primary & Secondary Care and Emergency Oxygen Provider courses.

The centre provides full equipment hire for divers needing a complete rig. For those looking to extend their bottom time, Nitrox is available on-site, and the facility is equipped with emergency oxygen for safety.

On-site facilities include a swimming pool, which is ideal for skills practice or training, and dedicated classrooms for theoretical study. The centre also offers private accommodation, allowing you to stay directly at the base of your training or dive schedule.

The cénote systems and surrounding waters are home to a variety of large marine life. You may encounter sea turtles (Cheloniidae), including loggerhead turtles and green turtle, as well as stingrays, southern stingray (Hypanus americanus), and devil rays. During certain seasons, bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) can be spotted in the area.

In the reef environments, look for various species of snapper (Lutjanus), jack (Carangidae), and horse-eye jacks. You will also see many colourful reef fish, including parrotfish (Calotomus), surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), and various species of angelfish (Pomacanthidae).

The underwater architecture is built from hard coral (Scleractinia), brain corals, and various soft corals (Alcyonacea) and gorgonians. Sponges (Porifera) and sea anemone (Actiniaria) add texture to the limestone walls and reef structures.

For those interested in macro life, the crevices hold many treasures such as octopus (Octopus vulgaris), various species of moray eel (Muraenidae), including green moray (Gymnothorax funebris) and goldentail moray, and colorful nudibranch (Chromodoris willani). You might also spot seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), shrimp (Caridea), and various crustaceans like lobster (Homaridae) and crab (Brachyura).

Cénote diving in the region is characterised by a lack of currents, providing a calm environment for cavern and cave exploration. Water temperatures in these sites typically range between 25°C and 26°C.

While the cénote systems are accessible year-round, ocean dives may be subject to different local conditions. The dive sites visited are generally between 35 and 80 minutes from the centre, with all transport included in your dive package.