Open Water Diver

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.The reefs around Mahahual offer superb Costa Maya diving. Not only are the reefs healthy, but the topography varies dramatically from walls to canyons to coral gardens. A wide variety of marine life can be found right in Mahahual, including eagle rays, lobsters, groupers, barracudas, snappers, and all three Caribbean turtles. In May, it's mating season for loggerhead turtles, and so the giant males make their way close to shore. Some of them are the size of a small car and always make for an incredible and memorable encounter. Occasionally, dolphins and sharks also visit us on our dives. The Mahahual reef offers dive sites conveniently located just a short distance from the beach and provides safe locations for certifications and courses. The variety of sites available makes this small fishing village a very special destination for divers. You will do 4 dives along our local reef.

The reefs around Mahahual offer superb Costa Maya diving. Not only are the reefs healthy, but the topography varies dramatically from walls to canyons to coral gardens. A wide variety of marine life can be found right in Mahahual, including eagle rays, lobsters, groupers, barracudas, snappers, and all three Caribbean turtles. In May, it's mating season for loggerhead turtles, and so the giant males make their way close to shore. Some of them are the size of a small car and always make for an incredible and memorable encounter. Occasionally, dolphins and sharks also visit us on our dives. The Mahahual reef offers dive sites conveniently located just a short distance from the beach and provides safe locations for certifications and courses. The variety of sites available makes this small fishing village a very special destination for divers.We offer two tank dives for certified divers with a shore interval. Includes needed rental equipment and, of course, our experienced guides. This trip leaves around 9:30 and returns around 2:00, and can be adjusted for cruise ship passengers.

Banco Chinchorro is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that protects a diverse array of habitats - from mangrove forests to sandy bottoms to vibrant coral reefs. The national park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including American crocodiles, manatees, sharks, turtles, rays, and abundant reef fish. There are over 150 species of coral and 500 species of fish to see in the reserve. Pelagic species such as snapper, grouper, and jack patrol the outer walls. Chinchorro often provides crystal clear water with visibility up to 30 meters. In addition to sea life, shipwrecks dot the reserve. Visiting Banco Chinchorro is an adventure you will not want to miss while in Costa Maya.Banco Chinchorro is one of the best-preserved coral reef ecosystems in the country due to its distance from the coast. It takes an hour to an hour and a half to get to Banco Chinchorro, depending on the weather, and at least six divers are needed to make the trip. It is always helpful to have some flexibility when visiting Chinchorro, as we try to pick days with the best diving conditions. If you have a small group, we can coordinate with other divers for an amazing day of diving and exploration.Our experienced captain will transport you to the best dive sites Chinchorro has to offer. The day will start around 7:30 and end around 3:30. Includes three dives, equipment if needed, snacks, lunch, and, of course, our professional dive guides. The national park fee is an additional 750 pesos for international visitors and 360 pesos for Mexican residents.

In the SSI Basic Diver program, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to try diving up to 12 meters deep with an SSI Professional. It is a great way to explore the underwater world more fully as you try diving. The entire Basic Diver program can be credited towards the Scuba Diver or Open Water Dive programs within 6 months, so you can take the next step in your dive adventure.

Spend one day exploring Banco Chinchorro with 3 dives and one day along the local Mahahual Reef with 2 dives.

Spend two full days at Banco Chinchorro, 3 dives each day, and one day along the local Mahahual reef for a shorter 2 dive day.

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You will try Deep Diving and Navigation plus a variety of 3 more specialty areas of choice before committing to full specialty training. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will experience 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. By taking this program you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full Specialty trainings any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

Follow up your open water certification with a full day on the reef at Banco Chinchorro.

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.The reefs around Mahahual offer superb Costa Maya diving. Not only are the reefs healthy, but the topography varies dramatically from walls to canyons to coral gardens. A wide variety of marine life can be found right in Mahahual, including eagle rays, lobsters, groupers, barracudas, snappers, and all three Caribbean turtles. In May, it's mating season for loggerhead turtles, and so the giant males make their way close to shore. Some of them are the size of a small car and always make for an incredible and memorable encounter. Occasionally, dolphins and sharks also visit us on our dives. The Mahahual reef offers dive sites conveniently located just a short distance from the beach and provides safe locations for certifications and courses. The variety of sites available makes this small fishing village a very special destination for divers. You will do 4 dives along our local reef.

To join the SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC), you must be a certified Divemaster or hold an equivalent qualification. This comprehensive program is part of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach. It begins with the Instructor Training Course combination, supported by immersive digital learning. After successfully completing the ITC, you will attend the Instructor Evaluation (IE) to become an SSI Open Water Instructor. As a certified instructor, you’ll be able to independently teach key SSI programs such as Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue, and Dive Guide. Need more time or want to gain hands-on experience before becoming a full instructor? You can take the Assistant Instructor portion as a standalone step. This allows you to assist with real student courses, build valuable teaching experience, and then complete the Instructor Evaluation at your own pace. The possibilities are endless – start your scuba diving instructor career now!Take the next step in your diving journey and become a certified SSI Scuba Instructor!Join us at Amigos del Mar for your Instructor Training Course in the beautiful Caribbean waters of Mahahual, Mexico.Imagine developing your professional skills while surrounded by turquoise waters, vibrant reefs, and the incredible marine life of the Mexican Caribbean.Why train with Amigos del Mar?Train in a beautiful Caribbean diving destination.Develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach scuba diving.Great value during the slow season for hotels. Contact us for help coordinating.Learn alongside an experienced dive team. We have our own onsite course director year-round.Enjoy the unique lifestyle of a small Caribbean diving town.Enjoy bucket list dives at Banco Chinchorro.Whether your goal is to build a career in the dive industry or take your diving passion to a professional level, your next adventure starts here!

The Divemaster program is the first step on an exciting journey. Earn the respect of your dive buddies and become an ambassador for diving by taking the Divemaster program. All you need to get started are 40 verified/logged dives and certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility or at least 5 logged/verified dives experience in each area plus Diver Stress & Rescue. You will be certified as a Dive Guide after successfully completing the Divemaster program. When your interest is to turn your passion into a profession by guiding certified divers, teaching Ecology programs, assisting instructors or even becoming an instructor yourself, your next step is the Divemaster Upgrade with a minimum of 60 logged/verified. Upgrade to Divemaster right away or any time after by self-studying the Science of Diving materials, passing the Digital Final Exam which makes you an SSI Professional.Prerequisites:  40 verified/logged dives and certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility or at least 5 logged/verified dives experience in each area plus Diver Stress & Rescue.Join us at Amigos del Mar for your Divemaster Course in the beautiful Caribbean waters of Mahahual, Mexico.Imagine developing your professional skills while surrounded by turquoise waters, vibrant reefs, and the incredible marine life of the Mexican Caribbean.Why train with Amigos del Mar?Train in a beautiful Caribbean diving destination.Develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach scuba diving.Great value during the slow season for hotels. Contact us for help coordinating.Learn alongside an experienced dive team. We have our own onsite course director year-round.Enjoy the unique lifestyle of a small Caribbean diving town.Enjoy bucket list dives at Banco Chinchorro.Whether your goal is to build a career in the dive industry or take your diving passion to a professional level, your next adventure starts here!