Aquanauts Dive Shop

Located in the Puerto Aventuras marina, approximately 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, Aquanauts Dive Shop has been a fixture of the local diving scene since 1998. The centre's position allows for rapid departures from the quay, ensuring you spend more time underwater and less time in transit.

The shop caters to a wide spectrum of divers, from those looking to try their first breaths through a Discover Scuba Diving programme to professional candidates working towards their Divemaster certification. Whether you are heading out to the offshore reefs or venturing into the freshwater systems of the peninsula, the centre is built around local expertise.

As a PADI 5 Star dive centre, Aquanauts maintains a high standard of instruction and safety across all its programmes. The team is experienced in managing both ocean environments and the specific technical requirements of cavern and cave diving.

Communication is straightforward for international divers, as the staff are proficient in English, Spanish, and French. This multilingual approach ensures that whether you are undergoing a certification course or a guided exploration, the briefing and underwater guidance are clear and precise.

The training programme at Aquanauts covers the entire PADI progression. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to expand their skills can enrol in Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, or specialised courses like Nitrox and Cavern Diver.

For divers pursuing a career in the industry, the centre provides professional-level training through to the Divemaster certification. They also offer Emergency First Response training to ensure your safety skills are as sharp as your diving technique.

The centre operates dedicated vessels for different environments, with capacity for up to 8 divers on ocean trips and up to 4 divers for cenote excursions. For those interested in surface observation, they also run snorkeling trips for up to 10 people.

Ocean departures are designed for efficiency, with cylinders pre-loaded to maximise your time on the reef. Nitrox is available for those looking to extend their bottom time during reef dives.

For divers travelling with their own kit, a full equipment hire service is available on-site. This includes essential items such as regulators, wetsuits, and fins, allowing you to dive light.

When heading into the cenotes, the shop also provides torches for hire, which are essential for navigating the darker sections of the cave systems. The shop ensures that all rental equipment is maintained to a high standard for daily use.

The local reefs are home to various species, including Mayan gobies and turtles. These sites provide a diverse habitat for divers of all levels to observe marine life in its natural environment.

In the freshwater cenote systems, the environment changes, offering a different perspective on the region's biology. The clarity of the water allows for excellent observation of the unique structures and life found within these flooded limestone formations.

Diving in the area is influenced by the proximity to the coast and the specific nature of the cenote systems. While the ocean dives benefit from the marina's location, the cenote dives offer a more controlled, freshwater environment.

Night diving is also an available option through the centre, providing a completely different perspective on the nocturnal activity of the reef and the surrounding marine life.