Explore Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a popular tourist destination located on the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea, just 60 kilometers/37 miles south of Cancún in the state of Quintana Roo. Playa del Carmen arguably has some of the most diverse diving of anywhere in the world. It is a great place to visit to take advantage of the abundant cave-, wreck-, shark-, and reef-diving opportunities, and the spectacular diving at Cozumel Island is just a 40-minute ferry ride away (or just 20 minutes, if you take the luxury ferry!). Not only does Playa del Carmen offer shallow reefs, it is also home to a complex system of cenotes—around 10,000 of them! Cenotes are exposed pools of water that are part of an underground network of interconnected bodies of groundwater. Cenotes form when limestone bedrock collapses, leaving natural sinkholes behind. Cenotes have great visibility because the water comes from filtered rainwater and thus has very few suspended particles. This feature makes cenotes a great diving environment, not to mention the underground cave systems and features that can be explored as well.

If cenote diving is not your cup of tea, there are also shore dives and daily boat trips out to wreck- and drift-dive sites. Encounters with pelagic species can be expected at these sites; the best-known for this area is the bull shark, which migrates to Playa del Carmen in the wintertime.

Dive shops and dive resorts are aplenty in Playa del Carmen; some specialize in trips to cenotes, while others like to focus on the marine sites. Since Playa del Carmen is close to various culturally significant Mayan ruin sites such Tulum, many of the dive resorts offer land excursion packages to these destinations as well. If you feel like you need a break from the nonstop diving, exploring the remnants of ancient Mayan cities may be just the thing you’re looking for. If, as a non-diver, you find yourself on vacation in Playa del Carmen and decide you don’t want to miss out on Playa del Carmen’s underwater realm, dive shops offer certification courses and Discover Scuba Diving as well. Liveaboard dive operators are not common, since all dive sites are either shore dives or are only a short boat trip away from shore.

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  • Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

     Course that certifies students to conduct recreational scuba dives within agency depth limits (typically 18 m / 60 ft). Covers safety procedures, underwater navigation, and proper use of scuba equipment.Objectives:Teach basic scuba diving principles and underwater safety.Enable students to plan and perform buddy recreational dives.Develop practical skills: buoyancy control, equalization, air management, and emergency procedures.Course content:Theory: diving physics and physiology, hazards and prevention, equipment, dive planning, hand signals, and basic regulations.Confined-water training: gear assembly, entries/exits, breathing underwater, equalization, buoyancy exercises, and emergency skills.Open-water dives: usually 4 supervised dives to practice skills, basic navigation, and buddy communication.Methodology: Classroom or e-learning theory, confined-water practice (pool), and supervised open-water dives (ocean, lake, or quarry) with continuous practical assessment.Prerequisites:Minimum age per agency (commonly 10–12 for junior, 15 for full certification).Basic swimming ability and reasonable physical fitness; medical clearance recommended or required.Valid ID.Certification: International certification from the chosen agency (e.g., PADI, SSI, NAUI, CMAS) upon completion of theory, confined-water skills, and required open-water dives. Allows buddy diving to the certification depth limit.Basic equipment (provided or rented): Mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, regulator, tank, pressure gauge; wetsuit as needed.

    Be Diving, Bedivingmxmx, Calle 1 Sur Entre 25 y 30, 77710, Playa del Carmen, QR, MEX
    May 19, 2026 +38 More
    $550.00

    Dive Activity

    Diving in Playa del Carmen

    Playa del Carmen boasts world-class cenote-diving opportunities, what with its 30 plus dive-able cenotes. Playa del Camen also has dive shops and resorts that operate daily tours to visit these cenotes. Diving in cenotes can range from easy, shallow (5 meters/16 feet) dives that are always within sight of natural light, to technically challenging, deeper (15 meters/49 feet) dives that have divers swimming through cave systems. If cenote-diving is not your cup of tea, Playa del Carmen offers wreck-diving, such as the “Mama Viña” site, reef-diving, and shark-diving as well. Playa del Carmen is well known for its bull shark sightings in the winter, drawing divers from all over the world.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Playa del Carmen

    As bodies of brackish water (a mixture of freshwater and salty seawater), cenotes are inhabited by a different group of organisms than the nearshore reef environment. Cichlids, catfish, and shrimp can be found swimming among the stalagmites. In the wintertime, bull sharks and other migratory pelagic megafauna like to hang out near Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. Sightings of eagle rays, loggerhead and green turtles, stingrays, lobsters, eels, groupers, and angelfish are common year-round.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    5k Sightings
    J
    733
    F
    545
    M
    485
    A
    355
    M
    213
    J
    211
    J
    348
    A
    359
    S
    268
    O
    284
    N
    586
    D
    579
    Bull Shark

    Bull Shark

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    646
    F
    448
    M
    187
    A
    15
    M
    1
    J
    4
    J
    2
    A
    12
    S
    9
    O
    44
    N
    683
    D
    704

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    1.8k Sightings
    J
    218
    F
    182
    M
    164
    A
    191
    M
    95
    J
    110
    J
    165
    A
    134
    S
    127
    O
    99
    N
    148
    D
    156
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    143
    F
    103
    M
    108
    A
    63
    M
    85
    J
    67
    J
    112
    A
    108
    S
    66
    O
    71
    N
    84
    D
    93
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    318 Sightings
    J
    30
    F
    47
    M
    24
    A
    9
    M
    17
    J
    12
    J
    41
    A
    29
    S
    53
    O
    20
    N
    17
    D
    19
    Loggerhead Turtle

    Loggerhead Turtle

    299 Sightings
    J
    17
    F
    28
    M
    53
    A
    31
    M
    36
    J
    14
    J
    20
    A
    25
    S
    33
    O
    28
    N
    0
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    4.6k Sightings
    J
    723
    F
    573
    M
    462
    A
    290
    M
    189
    J
    158
    J
    239
    A
    287
    S
    192
    O
    191
    N
    631
    D
    640

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    3.8k Sightings
    J
    520
    F
    394
    M
    322
    A
    305
    M
    201
    J
    188
    J
    288
    A
    295
    S
    254
    O
    232
    N
    394
    D
    381

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    3.3k Sightings
    J
    471
    F
    339
    M
    298
    A
    284
    M
    175
    J
    165
    J
    264
    A
    232
    S
    218
    O
    177
    N
    349
    D
    323

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    403
    F
    294
    M
    246
    A
    241
    M
    145
    J
    124
    J
    205
    A
    238
    S
    181
    O
    127
    N
    295
    D
    252

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    2.4k Sightings
    J
    393
    F
    244
    M
    207
    A
    183
    M
    105
    J
    102
    J
    187
    A
    169
    S
    173
    O
    131
    N
    248
    D
    255

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    2.4k Sightings
    J
    344
    F
    228
    M
    261
    A
    195
    M
    116
    J
    100
    J
    171
    A
    212
    S
    158
    O
    135
    N
    229
    D
    246

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    2.4k Sightings
    J
    320
    F
    184
    M
    180
    A
    145
    M
    99
    J
    117
    J
    237
    A
    212
    S
    156
    O
    133
    N
    342
    D
    235

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    351
    F
    201
    M
    192
    A
    190
    M
    124
    J
    121
    J
    190
    A
    172
    S
    159
    O
    103
    N
    229
    D
    206

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    1.9k Sightings
    J
    321
    F
    221
    M
    171
    A
    162
    M
    71
    J
    73
    J
    145
    A
    181
    S
    123
    O
    91
    N
    162
    D
    170

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    1.8k Sightings
    J
    296
    F
    173
    M
    166
    A
    155
    M
    80
    J
    90
    J
    129
    A
    135
    S
    136
    O
    88
    N
    161
    D
    163

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    267
    F
    170
    M
    142
    A
    128
    M
    80
    J
    82
    J
    120
    A
    125
    S
    105
    O
    78
    N
    167
    D
    142

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    263
    F
    143
    M
    139
    A
    120
    M
    59
    J
    86
    J
    116
    A
    100
    S
    114
    O
    46
    N
    154
    D
    146

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    288
    F
    172
    M
    117
    A
    114
    M
    75
    J
    65
    J
    84
    A
    88
    S
    105
    O
    54
    N
    169
    D
    152

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    272
    F
    167
    M
    127
    A
    98
    M
    79
    J
    44
    J
    90
    A
    97
    S
    103
    O
    61
    N
    138
    D
    116

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    215
    F
    158
    M
    144
    A
    97
    M
    73
    J
    61
    J
    119
    A
    111
    S
    63
    O
    30
    N
    168
    D
    137

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    238
    F
    150
    M
    129
    A
    107
    M
    79
    J
    62
    J
    87
    A
    109
    S
    90
    O
    47
    N
    132
    D
    116

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    261
    F
    135
    M
    125
    A
    97
    M
    68
    J
    40
    J
    86
    A
    108
    S
    76
    O
    47
    N
    116
    D
    112

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    1.2k Sightings
    J
    215
    F
    129
    M
    121
    A
    117
    M
    80
    J
    48
    J
    73
    A
    113
    S
    82
    O
    20
    N
    125
    D
    102

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Flounder

    Flounder

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    227
    F
    103
    M
    105
    A
    65
    M
    45
    J
    43
    J
    85
    A
    95
    S
    80
    O
    39
    N
    126
    D
    124

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    905 Sightings
    J
    114
    F
    99
    M
    76
    A
    76
    M
    36
    J
    62
    J
    86
    A
    50
    S
    93
    O
    46
    N
    85
    D
    82

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Sand Eel

    Sand Eel

    817 Sightings
    J
    154
    F
    83
    M
    85
    A
    37
    M
    39
    J
    44
    J
    40
    A
    91
    S
    29
    O
    19
    N
    109
    D
    87

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Lobster

    Lobster

    734 Sightings
    J
    151
    F
    93
    M
    50
    A
    66
    M
    7
    J
    40
    J
    37
    A
    34
    S
    46
    O
    43
    N
    76
    D
    91

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    719 Sightings
    J
    155
    F
    97
    M
    81
    A
    51
    M
    27
    J
    22
    J
    38
    A
    69
    S
    19
    O
    14
    N
    92
    D
    54

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Emperor

    Emperor

    582 Sightings
    J
    162
    F
    74
    M
    54
    A
    15
    M
    21
    J
    0
    J
    44
    A
    66
    S
    27
    O
    0
    N
    67
    D
    52

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster

    333 Sightings
    J
    28
    F
    35
    M
    16
    A
    5
    M
    4
    J
    17
    J
    40
    A
    16
    S
    16
    O
    5
    N
    97
    D
    54

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    268 Sightings
    J
    46
    F
    21
    M
    0
    A
    15
    M
    0
    J
    13
    J
    52
    A
    10
    S
    0
    O
    25
    N
    51
    D
    35

    The best Months to dive in Playa del Carmen

    There is great diving in Playa del Carmen all year round due to the consistently warm seawater temperatures. Temperatures can range from 24°C/75°F in the winter to 29°C/85°F in the summer months, and visibility is also great during all seasons, with an average of 33 meters/108 feet.

    The wintertime, or December to April, is considered the best time to visit this area of Mexico, so coastal dive sites will be more crowded. November through March is the best time to see bull sharks, and in general, pelagic species are attracted to this area when surface water temperatures are cooler.

    If you are particularly keen on diving in cenotes, it is best to visit between May and September. This is when sunbeams enter cenotes at a favorable angle and illuminate the cave in a way that is highly photogenic!

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