Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa by IHG
★★★★★
★ 9.3/10 (1,117 reviews)
209 km away as the crow flies
Dive centre · Riviera Maya · Mexico
4.7183 Google reviewsPepe Dive Mahahual Dive Shop
Explore the historic wrecks of Banco Chinchorro aboard La Gran Kraken, a fast, V-hull vessel designed for comfort.
What sets this centre apart
- Accredited by INAH and CONANP for historical wreck sites
- La Gran Kraken V-hull boat with twin 140 HP engines
- Instructor training available via ACUC
- Accommodation available at La Casa del Viento
- Full equipment hire with multiple sizes available
- Located on the Mahahual malecón with direct beach access
- Specialised training in Sidemount and Cave diving
For subtitles in English: start the video firstthen click the gearat the top right of the video, select “Subtitles/CC”, then “Auto-translate” and choose “English”.
Pepe Dive Mahahual Dive Shop about the centre
Located directly on the Mahahual malecón, Pepe Dive Mahahual serves as a gateway to the Great Mayan Reef, the second-longest reef system in the world. The centre is positioned between Hotel Noah and the local restaurants, providing easy access to the beach and local amenities.
You can choose to stay at La Casa del Viento, a small condominium complex featuring four studios with a garden, library, and a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool. This setup allows you to remain close to the action while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere after your dives.
The club and its team
The centre is led by Chano Montelongo, an instructor trainer with significant expertise in the field. The team consists of highly qualified professionals capable of guiding you through every level of certification.
Instruction is available in English, Spanish, French, and Valencian. Whether you are looking for your first breath underwater or pursuing professional credentials, the staff provides technical expertise across all disciplines.
The centre at a glance
- Affiliation
- autres
- Operating since
- 2012
- Languages spoken
- Spanish · English · French · VALENCIANO
- Website available in
- English · Spanish
- Management
- Spanish
- Boats
- 1 · La Gran Kraken, construction belicienne, coque en V · 18 plongeurs avec équipement
- Equipment rental
- complet (matériel neuf disponible, possibilité d'essayer plusieurs tailles et types)
- On board
- confortable, spacieux, rapide, adapté à la pratique de la plongée
- Access and transfers
- Situé sur le malecón de Mahahual, face à la plage, entre l'hôtel Noah et les restaurants Malecón 21 et Nohoch Kay.
- Accommodation
- La Casa del Viento : petit condominium de 4 studios équipés avec jardin, salon/bibliothèque et terrasse avec piscine sur le toit.
- Address
- Carr. a Mahahual Manzana 21 Lote 01, 77976 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
- Official website
- pepedivemahahual.com ↗
Courses on offer
Pepe Dive Mahahual offers a comprehensive curriculum through ACUC, covering everything from Open Water Diver to professional instructor levels. You can specialise with courses such as Intro to Cave ACUC, Sidemount ACUC, and Deep Diving.
The centre caters to all skill levels, providing training for beginners through to advanced technical divers.
The boats
La Gran Kraken is the centre's primary vessel, a fast V-hull boat built for durability and comfort. It has a capacity for 18 divers with full kit and is powered by twin 140 HP engines.
The boat is spacious and specifically designed to suit diving activities, providing a stable platform for exploring the reefs and atolls of the region.
Equipment and gases
The shop provides full equipment hire, with a selection of new kit available for you to try in different sizes and types. This ensures you find a comfortable fit for your mask, fins, or wetsuit before heading out.
On-site facilities include a deck shaded by palm trees, showers, and direct beach access for a seamless transition from boat to shore.
Dive sites with Pepe Dive Mahahual Dive Shop
Banco Chinchorro is a coral atoll and biosphere reserve containing approximately 70 historic wrecks. It is an ideal location for those interested in wreck diving and seeing large schools of fish.
The Cuarenta Cañones wreck is an 18th-century English vessel located in the inner lagoon of Banco Chinchorro. At a depth of 8 metres, it sits on white sand with its cannons still visible.
The Ginger Scout is a massive cargo ship from the early 20th century, spanning over 3,500 metres. It is famous for its enormous propeller embedded in the reef.
Mahahual (Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve) offers dives on the Great Mayan Reef in calm waters. It is an excellent choice for all skill levels due to the tranquil conditions.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
Mahahual (Réserve de la Biosphère du Caribe Mexicain)Xcalak (Parc National)Épave Cuarenta CañonesÉpave Ginger Scout
Marine life around Riviera Maya
The reefs are home to a variety of large marine life, including sea turtles and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum). You will frequently encounter diverse fish species such as jacks (Carangidae) and various corals.
In the deeper or more scenic areas like Xcalak, you may spot rays, sharks, and large schools of fish. The biodiversity is supported by a healthy ecosystem of sponges and various mollusks.
For those interested in macro life, the area hosts spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) and various crustaceans. The reef structure itself is built upon a foundation of hard corals and barrel sponges.
Diving conditions
The Mahahual area is known for its tranquil waters and low currents, making it an accessible destination for many divers. The reef flats offer calm environments for exploration.
When venturing towards Banco Chinchorro or Xcalak, you will encounter different environments ranging from coral atolls to protected national park waters.
A question about this dive centre?
Hello, I'm Marina, DivingDeal.com's AI assistant. I answer in detail about hotels, dive centres and liveaboards.
Thinking about the whole trip and the flights? Talk it over with Edith →
Marina is an AI. Some links are affiliate links: DivingDeal may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Bookings are made with the partner.
