scuba diving tours tulum

• +52 1 984 169 1925 - Tulum
• +52 1 984 169 3284 - Cozumel
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Agua clara diving tulum | scuba dive center

Agua Clara Diving Tulum & Cozumel

Agua Clara is an eco-friendly dive shop in Tulum and Cozumel, Mexico. We offer personalized diving tours and courses in our spectacular cenotes and nearby reef. We also provide snorkeling tours and eco-tours that give you a special perspective on Tulum’s natural wonders and ecosystems.

Best Service

As a PADI and SSI certified Dive Center you can be confident you will receive high quality training and prime customer service

High Quality Equipment

We invest heavily in acquiring and maintaining high quality equipment that is both comfortable and reliable

Certified Guides

We work only with the best certified guides in the Yucatan Peninsula, to maximize your enjoyment of your Mayan experience

Sustainable Center

Agua Clara Diving Center provides eco-friendly tours in Tulum and Cozumel. Reducing waste polluting practices

Shop Available

Find all the products you need for an amazing tour in the sea, cenote or land

Diving & Snorkeling Tours & Activites

Tulum and cozumel diving center.

• Cenote Diving

Reef diving Tulum

• Discover diving
• Diving Courses PADI & SSI
• Snorkel tours Tulum

• 2 dives in cenote Dos ojos

Difficulty: ⭐ ⭐

$2660 MXP---Dive in crystal clear water thorugh amazing formations and wide spaces (Age 16+ required)

• 1 dive in Casa cenote + 1 dive in cenote Carwash

Difficulty: ⭐

$2660 mxp --- 2 dives in two different cenotes (Age 16+ required)

• Dive The Pit & Dos ojos cenotes

Difficulty: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

$2660 MXP --- 1 dive in cenote The Pit + 1 or 2 dives in cenote Dos ojos (Age 16+ required)

• 2 dives in cenote Dreamgate

Difficulty: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

$2660 MXP--- 2 different dives in cenote dreamgate (Age 16+ required)

• 1 dive cenote Angelita + 1 dive cenote Carwash

Difficulty: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

$2,850 MXP --- 1 dive in cenote Angelita + 1 dive in Carwash (Age 16+ required)

• 1 dive cenote Nicte-ha + 1 dive cenote Carwash

$2660 MXP --- 2 spectacular dives in underwater garden/caverns (Age 16+ required)

• Refresh dive Casa cenote + cenote Naval

* $3,325 MXP ---- 2 Open cenotes dives. Beginer level

• Refresh Casa Cenote + Cenote Dos Ojos

* $3,325 MXP---1 refresh dive + 1 cavern dive

Discover dive in an Open cenote in Tulum

*1 dive $2052 MXP----Learn to dive in tulum cenotes

• One Cenote dive followed by one Sea dive

$3800 MXP---2 dives: one in the sea and one in cenote

2 dives $2850 MXP----Dive in sand bottom coral canyons

Reef diving in Akumal

1 dive $2660 MXP 2 dives $4560 MXP---Reef of Akumal

Diving Cozumel from Tulum

2 dives $5605 MXP----Dive in Cozumel, a bustling reef

Bullshark diving Playa del Carmen from Tulum

$4750 MXP---Bullshak female anual migration

Discover diving 1 dive in cenote & 1 dive in the reef

$3510 MXP---Mini course + 2 dives in a cenote and a reef

Discover Scuba Diving cenote in Tulum

*1x dive $2,050 MXP---Learn to dive in a cenote

Open Water Diver Course Tulum

$10,130 MXP---Learn diving in cenotes & reefs

Advanced Open Water diver Course in Tulum

$10,830 MXP---PADI & SSI Advanced scuba course

Rescue Diver Course in Tulum

$7790 MXP---PADI & SSI Rescue diving course Becoming a safer and prepared Diver

Dive Master Course in Tulum

$29,900 MXP---Your gateway to professional diving now in Tulum

Snorkel tour Reef & Cenotes Tulum in different ecosystems

$1,900 MXP---Pick 1, 2 or 3 sites from our best selection

Tankah: eco-tour of 4 cenotes

$2470 MXP---Trekking, zipline, cannoieng, snorkel $130 USD

Sian Kaan reserve tour

$2850 MXP---Swim float in the turquise lagoons

Punta Lagunas Monkey Sanctuary Reserve

$2470 MXP---Monkey Sanctuary (walking, canoeing, zip lining, rappelling and swimming)

Coba Mayan Pyramides & Cenote Swim

$2850 MXP---Bike COBA ancient mayan city, Cenote Swim

Tulum ruins & reef snorkel in front of Mayan castle

• Reef diving Cozumel
• Discover diving Cozumel
• Snorkel Tours Cozumel

Diving Cozumel Marine Park-2 dive sites

$1,995 MXP---2 dives in different location inside Cozumel´s National Park

Night Dive Cozumel

$1615 MXP---Dive Cozumel reef at night

Private Dive Cozumel

$10.070 MXP---Dive PRIVATE BOAT with the poeple you want

• Discover Scuba Diving in Cozumel from shore

$1,520 MXP---Intro course + 1 dive for the first time for the beach

• Discover Scuba Cozumel Boat Diving

$3,135 MXP---Intro course + 2 Boat Dives Reef of Cozumel

• Open Water Diver Course in Cozumel

$9310 MXP Open Water Course Reefs of Cozumel

• Advanced Open Water Diver course Cozumel

$9,310 MXP---5 exciting different diving specialtys

• Rescue Diver Course in Cozumel

$7,790 MXP---Development of skills to respond to a diving emergency

Snorkel tour in Cozumel Island

3 snorkel sites and visit to El cielo sandbar $75 USD

Snorkeling tour PRIVATE boat in Cozumel

Life extasis near the surface

Check us on Trip Advisor

Agua Clara’s team is bilingual, and we can help you with all your inquiries in English or Spanish. Get in touch if you have any questions

Dive more, save more

Diving more than 3 days with us

Get Diving Certification

We offer PADI and SSI diving certifications for all levels

Cenote Diving Tulum

Learn scuba & get certified as a diver.

Duration: 1 day

Scuba Diver

Duration: 2 days

Duration: 3 days

A highly trained and experienced instructor can teach diving in Tulum or Cozumel. We provide courses form both agencies PADI & SSI We offer courses in both destinations: Tulum & Cozumel optionally can also start in one place and finish in the other!

As an Open Diver Water, you will be able to dive anywhere. If you are short on time, the Scuba Diver program is a great choice to learn how to dive. You can upgrade your certification easily to become OW diver an by completing some additional training.

Eco tours & Snorkeling

Tulum is surrounded by natural parks & wildlife, we offer snorkeling & eco tours in the best natural enviorments around Tulum

Pixam jungle secret river + Xcacel reef snorkel

Punta allen, ek balam ruins and giant cenote agua dulce, sian ka’an lagoons extended, tripadvisor certificate of excellence.

People from all the world dive in Tulum with Agua Clara. They had a really good time! Check what they are saying:

Great Cenote Dive

We had a wonderful time diving at Dos Ojos Cenote for two tanks with Aguaclara Tulum in early January 2021. We have nearly 200 dives in some of the best places on the planet, but nothing is like diving in a cenote. The rock formations and crystal clear water were enchanting. The dive operation was first rate, and the dive master, Nico, was a joy to work with. Also, a shout out to Gemma who handled our email correspondence, and handled our convoluted schedule with grace and flexibility. A must do for divers in the Yucatan. Many thanks.

Excellent tuition with knowledgeable team

Highly professional instruction to do my PADI Open Water Diver certification. Everything worked seamlessly and I had a lot of fun whilst also getting myself qualified to dive in the future. Would highly recommend Agua Clara to anyone visiting the area who has to desire to learn how to dive from a reputable shop

Scuba Diving and Tatanka Village Tours

Great company. We did 2 tours with them. First was a tour of cenotes and a Mayan village lunch. Zip lining and cenotes were fantastic. Lunch at the Mayan village was even better! (Seriously best food in Tulum) Guy was very knowledgeable and a great tour guide. Scuba diving discovery was awesome your. I have been scuba diving before and learning in a cenote beats learning in a pool anytime…

Great dive shop, good instructors

I went to several cenotes with Agua Clara and did the PADI Rescue Diver course with them. The guides were all very knowledgeable and fun, and my instructor was great: he was very attentive to the needs of the group and tried very hard to make everyone have a good time. They have a lot of dive experience, and it shows. The perfect combination of fun and professional!

Best part of the trip!

This was the highlight of our trip! We reached out to Agua Clara to see if they could give us a personalized tour to fit our needs and they went above and beyond with it! As a professional photographer I wanted to be able to capture different things like : cenotes ( under water caves ) , wildlife and beautiful scenery and I was able to see it all. Our guide Erica was the sweetest and funniest!

Phenomenal experience!!

World class service!! A must for any experienced diver looking for professional dive masters and diving tours. Noe and Guy ( Dive masters ) exceded our expectations on the tours they took us. Excellent price for the quality of service. Highly recommended and super friendly staff!

Amazing sea/cenote/cave snorkeling trip!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour led by Erica. Got to swim with sea turtles, check out baby tropical fish from below Mangrove roots, and explore an underground/underwater bat cave all in one day! Erica was a wonderful tour guide and is fluent in 4 languages. Highly recommend this tour, a good value and great time. Also very environmentally friendly other than the generator at the office.

“Great tour company!”

A friend and I took two private tours with Agua Clara. They were both excellent, but we especially loved Sian Kaan. Our guide, Jose, was knowledgable and accommodating. We had a great time spending two days seeing amazing sights around Tulum.

Best Dive of my life!

I’ve been diving for 22 years, and I’ve never done a cave dive. Diving the Dos Ojos was the coolest dive I’ve ever been on. Our guide was phenomenal. He brought yummy sandwiches for us and energy bites. We got to do two dives in the caves with flashlights and wet suits (cause that water is pretty cold). Swimming through those caves was one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had. I will remember it forever.

Fantastic diving experience in the Cenotes with a great dive guide

We did 2 days diving in 6 different cenotes, with Eyal as our guide. We had a great time, always felt safe. It was a breathtaking experience. The selection of the cenotes was carefully done, and we were well advised in the Office what to do. We hope to be able to come back one day and dive the cenotes again. Our favourite: El pit!

Loved our first tour so much, we booked another for the next day

My friends and I found our way to Aqua Clara on the recommendation of our Airbnb host, and touring with them was honestly the best part of our trip. We initially signed up a 2 cenote snorkeling trip. The owner reached connected with my friend on Whatsapp to answer our questions and coordinate the details of which cenotes we wanted to visit, which was our first positive experience.

Amazing experience: The best part of our trip!

My boyfriend and I enrolled in the 3-day Open Water PADI course with Agua Clara. I previously had a scaring experience taking a scuba discovery adventure in Hawaii which put me off to the idea of scuba diving for a few years. Agua Clara helped make my experience seamless and comfortable…

Outstanding diving, instruction and PADI certification

I was looking to complete my PADI open water referral having done the initial PADI sections back in the UK. Agua Clara are on of the few PADI certified dive operators in Tulum and we couldn’t have made a better choice. My girlfriend was already PADI certified so we wanted to be able to dive together whilst I completed my training. Guy, our instructor/guide was fantastic…

Truly incredible dives with them most fantastic and passionate guide!!!!!

We were going to Sayulita for New Year but changed it to Tulum last minute. Most diving sites were booked but I decided to email the shops anyways. I received a handful of emails back saying they can accommodate us on the date I requested which was 30th December 2017. I chose to Aqua Clara because I love their professional informative respond to my request…

Highly recommended diveshop in Tulum

Went to Tulum for a relaxing vacation with a friend, and the snorkel tour turned out to be the highlight of the trip. It was raining but we went out anyway and practically had some of the sites to ourselves. The rain brought out a lot of turtles which was really cool. Linda, our guide, was super passionate and knowledgeable…

An amazing scuba diving experience

My husband and I finished our open water certification here, and could not have been more pleased. The dives were beautiful, and our guide, Noe, was highly knowledgeable as well as one of the best people we’ve come across in our travels. We can’t wait until our next dive. We would highly recommend Agua Clara to our friends.

Simply amazing Kayak Tour

Luca Benecchi was a great guide! Very knowledgeable of the ecology and history of the area. Though we were booked for a kayak tour, the wind was high that day and Luca wisely chose exciting alternatives that were equally fun. Wearing float vests we floated like leaves through a beautiful channel joining the two main lagoons, then walked on a…

Excellent Scuba Experience

We took the open water PADI course while visiting the Tulum area. Noe was excellent. We had a family of 4 taking the class for the first time. My kids were 12 and 16 and Noe was so patient with them. We will definitely book a tour with them when we return!

Great instructor and beautiful dive locations!

I did my open water course with agua clara diving tulum and had a great experience. The instructor was cool and also had a lot of advice to offer about other attractions, food, and nightlife in addition to all the diving knowledge. I enjoyed dives in some really nice cenotes, which was quite a different experience from diving in the reef…

Awesome diving experience with great dive staff

I had four dives over two days with Agua Clara Diving and everything exceeded my expectations. They were very receptive to my request to dive in a variety of cenotes (regular cavern/stalactite/stalagmite ones as well as a halocline dive) . I will definitely return to do another dive with them in the future.

A w e s o m e, Mercedes was an amazing tour guide!

From when we arrived at their location and she extended her arm to say HELLO, Mercedes, our guide was AMAZING. She was very knowledgeable and super NICE person overall. The tour was unparalleled to anything I have ever experienced. Highly recommended.

10/10 experience. A must do in Tulum

I was in tulum on holiday for only one week so decided to do a one day diving trip. I wanted to dive in a cenote and the sea, so Noé at Agua Clara organized this for me. I then decided the best idea was to do my PADI OPEN WATERS course, as this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and the price was reasonable…

Our stores:

Agua clara diving tulum.

• +52 1 984 169 1925
• Open 8 AM - 7 PM
• Av. Satélite Entre C. 2 Pte. y Centauro Nte, Hotel Azura. CP 77760, Tulum Centro, Q.R.

Agua Clara Diving Cozumel

• +52 1 984 169 3284
• 5 Av. Entre calle 2 y 4, Cozumel

Contact Agua Clara Diving Tulum

Please contact us using the form, we will get back to you soon.

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Please write bellow: (optional)

Up to 15% Discount in online bookings

• 1 dive cenote Tajma-ha +1 dive cenote Chikin-ha
• Tulum Reef Diving
• Akumal Reef Diving
• Dive Cozumel – departing from Tulum
• Bullshark- Playa del carmen
• Dive Cozumel – Marine park
• Dive Cozumel in a private boat
• Discover diving in 1 or 2 cenotes
• Discover diving in a cenote & reef
• Open water course in Tulum
• Open water course in Cozumel
• Advanced Open water course
• Rescue course
• Snorkel in 3 ecosystems tour
• Tankah eco tour of 4 cenotes
• Sian Kaan lagoons floating tour
• Coba ruins & cenote swim
• Punta Laguna monkey reserve
• Tulum ruins a reef snorkel

Tulum Scuba Diving Center

For the adventure of a lifetime and a lifetime of adventure, padi 5 star dive center.

Padi Certification Courses

Padi cavern diving course, cave diving courses, padi sidemount diving course, padi divemaster course & internships, certified diver tours, discover scuba diving.

We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. By clicking Accept you consent to our use of cookies. Read about how we use cookies.

We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. Read about how we use cookies .

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our websites. You cannot refuse these cookies without impacting how our websites function. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings, as described under the heading "Managing cookies" in the Privacy and Cookies Policy .

These cookies collect information that is used in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are.

• scubatulum@gmail.com

• Casa Cenote / Ocean
• Casa Cenote / dos ojos
• Dos ojos / batcave
• El Pit / Dos Ojos
• Pit / Nicte Ha
• angelita / Carwash
• Angelita / casa cenote
• Tajma Ha / dream gate
• Chac mool and Kukulcan
• Tak Be Ha and Tak Be Lum
• Zapote and Maravilla
• SSI Basic Diver Course
• SSI Scuba Diver Course
• SSI Open Water Diver Course
• SSI Advanced Adventure Diver Course
• SSI Specialty Courses
• SSI Deep Diving Course
• DIVER STRESS & RESCUE
• DIVE GUIDE and DIVE MASTER
• OPEN WATER INSTRUCTOR
• SSI Sidemount Diving
• SSI Cavern Diver
• SSI Decompression Diving
• Cave Diving
• The Jaguar's Ruins
• Mayan Palace of Bees
• Rainbow Lagoon and Pirates
• Gateways to the Underworld
• Whale-Shark
• Terms & Conditions
• Book online

Welcome to Scuba Tulum

Welcome to Scuba Tulum! Here you can find all the information about Cenote Diving and Ocean Diving around Tulum on the Riviera Maya in Mexico.  We are proud to be one of the best SSI diving schools in Mexico.  Since September 2007 SCUBA TULUM offer guided tours to the cenote and SSI courses from beginners to a professional SSI instructor. E njoy with us this crystal clear underwater world and become a part of the diving family.

But what else is so special in this region of the world?

In the Yucatan Peninsula there are not rivers, not as we normally know, all the rivers are underground. The peninsula is a great sponge where rivers flow under the earth, rivers of water as clear as anywhere else you've seen. This subterranean world was seen by the ancient Mayans as the underworld Xibalba, and cenotes were the windows to this world.

If you travel in the Yucatan Peninsula and do not visit a cenote, your trip will be incomplete, you should enjoy at least one of these wonderful places where the combination of water and light are one of the most beautiful views you've ever seen.

Testimonials

Cenote dive - scuba Tulum highly recommend Did my first cenote dive with Rubi. He was amazing a patient & clear on what to Expect on the dive - it was amazingly beautiful !!! Marina talked with me to help setup everything & my whole experience was nothin...

Brindha T ― Minneapolis, Minnesota

We had 2 days diving with them in 4 cenotes. The equipment were in good condition :) our instructor was Rubi and he was perfect!! He is an amazing diver with perfect bouyancy, very professional instructor, patients and make you feel confident. Plus he is ...

romy293 ― USA

Excellent Cenote Dives The staff were very friendly and made excellent recommendations about diving as well as other activities in the area. The dives were absolutely magnificent, ask for Luis....

Mieke F ― Pekín, China

Best Cenote Dives

Scuba diving tulum, tulum scuba diving with best cenote dives.

Dive into the heart of extraordinary with Best Cenote Dives, your ultimate destination for unforgettable cenote scuba diving tours, technical diving courses, and cave diving experiences. Our passion for the underwater world knows no bounds, and we’re here to guide you through every facet of cenote exploration.

Cenote Scuba Diving Tours – Where Adventure Meets Beauty

Imagine descending into the pristine waters of a cenote, surrounded by intricate rock formations and dazzling underwater landscapes. Our meticulously crafted cenote scuba diving tours offer you the chance to experience the magic firsthand. From beginners to advanced divers, we tailor our tours to suit your skill level, ensuring a safe and exhilarating adventure beneath the surface.

Technical Diving Courses – Elevate Your Expertise

For those seeking to push the boundaries of diving, our technical diving courses provide a gateway to new depths and challenges. Whether you’re aiming to become a certified Cave Diver or enhance your existing skills, our experienced instructors are dedicated to helping you master the intricacies of advanced diving techniques, equipment, and safety protocols.

Cave Diving Expeditions – Delve into the Subterranean Realm

Venture where few have gone before with our captivating cave diving expeditions. Explore the hidden passages, awe-inspiring formations, and unique ecosystems that lie beneath the Earth’s surface. Our cave diving courses are designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate these remarkable underground landscapes safely.

Why Choose Best Cenote Dives?

Passion and Expertise: Our team comprises passionate divers and instructors with extensive knowledge of cenotes, ensuring an immersive and educational experience.

Safety First: Your safety is our top priority. We adhere to the highest safety standards and provide thorough training for all our diving courses and tours.

Customized Adventures: Whether you’re embarking on your first dive or an experienced diver seeking new challenges, our offerings are tailored to match your aspirations.

Preservation and Respect: We’re committed to preserving the delicate ecosystems of cenotes. Through responsible diving practices, we contribute to the conservation of these natural wonders.

Start Your Cenote Adventure Today

Embark on a journey that combines the thrill of exploration with the splendor of nature’s hidden gems. Best Cenote Dives is your companion, your guide, and your partner in discovering the extraordinary world that lies beneath the surface. Join us in celebrating the art of diving, the beauty of cenotes, and the camaraderie of fellow adventurers.

Are you ready to dive in?

Scuba Diving in Tulum

When you know which cenotes you want to visit, you can choose from our range of tours.

If you want to get certified or learn more about scuba diving, you can take a PADI course in Tulum.

Best Cenotes to Dive

Cenote History

Cave Diving

I am a Scuba Diving instructor, Cenote guide and Cave Diving Explorer. I organise scuba diving tours in the cenotes near Tulum and further into the Jungle, Scuba Diving courses for beginners through to Cave and Technical Diving and Exploring previously un dived cenotes across the Yucatan Peninsula.

Go Cenote Diving

Your own Private & Personalised Cenote Diving Tour or Scuba Diving Course with us.

Open 7/7 all year - Phone care 8 am to 9 pm - Monday and tuesday +52 984 806 78 98  and Wednesday to sunday +52 997 155 71 65

Tulum dive shop specialized in cenote diving

Tulum cenote diving center.

Ready to dive or snorkel ? Thanks to our personal and family style services , we can take care of all your needs and provide particular attention to each and every diver. 

Easily book your dives on-line and meet us in our eco-friendly dive shop in Tulum town center.

Read our reviews

For beginners

Discover scuba diving discover scuba diving.

No certification required

Open Water course Open Water course

3 Half-days

For certified divers  Level 1

2 dives in dos ojos 2 dives in dos ojos.

Level 1 required

Dive in 2 cenotes Dive in 2 cenotes

International credit card accepted

SAFETY FIRST

Excellent & complete brand new or well mantained diving gear included

BEST SERVICE

Full cave dive masters

Experience of minimum 10 years in Tulum

MULTILINGUAL

Tours given in english, spanish, french & italian

GREAT DISCOUNTS

for paying in cash,

multiple dives &

having your own gear

Mexican pesos

€ & US $ accepted

SMALL GROUPS

Maximum 4 people per group & per guide

Personalized service

15 years experienced Tulum dive shop

For certified divers  Level 2

Deep dive in 2 cenotes deep dive in 2 cenotes.

Level 2 required

Deep dive in 3 cenotes Deep dive in 3 cenotes

Tours on request

2 reef dives 2 reef dives.

Snorkel in 2 cenotes Snorkel in 2 cenotes

Excellent rating by our customers

Fantastic experience! Very professional, highly knowledgeable and friendly dive guide, which always made me feel extremely safe. The cenotes are a once in a lifetime experience. Easy communication and booking process, very friendly and service oriented team!

See more reviews

Meet our team

Learn to dive.

Learn scuba and get certified as a diver enjoying the fresh water cenotes. For the beginners, your trilingual instructor , will take you on your Discover Scuba Diving in an open air cenote ( Casa cenote ) for an amazing beginner dive. You also have the option to take the Open Water exam (recognized worldwide equivalence of the level 1 CMAS , FFESSM . SSI . NAUI ) to be able to dive down to 18 meters under everywhere in the planet.

Dive in the best cenotes in Tulum

Certified divers can discover the Mesoamerican Coral Reef or be initiated into cavern diving in cenotes in Tulum and the Mayan Riviera. With fifteen years of experience, our specialists will take you on an expedition to explore rare and exceptional cenotes not frequently visited ( Car wash cenote, Dos Ojos cenote, cenote Angelita , cenote Dreamgate or the Pit cenote).

All inclusive dive rates

We provide all the material and necessary diving scuba equipment, respecting rigorously all safety standards and your comfort. Wetsuits ( 5 mm ) are provided for the cenotes (water temperature: 75 f/24 c) as well as flashlights, BCDs, double regulators, etc. Only the finest material and extremely well taken care maintenance, is provided.

Testimonials

Scuba divers, international medias, travel books, travel platforms or travel blogs are recomending us worldwide

Cenote scuba and snorkeling tours in Tulum

Our packages are perfect for every member of your family or group . You can begin diving with flippers, masks and snorkelin g in beautiful turquoise water on the Coral Reef. Swim among multicolored, tropical fish in Tulum or explore by zigzagging through stalactites and stalagmites in the cenotes .

Meet us in Tulum town

Meet us in our technical area in Tulum town center to try your gear after booking by phone, email or on line.

A Guide to Scuba Diving in Tulum

Posted on Last updated: 22/07/2022

Categories Things To Do

Planning to go scuba diving in Tulum? You’re lucky – this gorgeous spot is filled with brilliant diving places. 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total newbie, Tulum’s cenotes and dazzling coastline offers plenty of opportunities for you to brush up on your skills. 

But where do you start? Choosing a dive center and a location can be challenging, especially if you’ve never dived before.

Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered with this total guide to scuba diving in Tulum.

What to Expect From Scuba Diving in Tulum 

Reef diving .

There are two types of diving available in Tulum: reef or cenote diving. Each offers something a little bit different and we recommend you try both during your Tulum vacation.

Reef diving in Tulum is incredibly popular as the incredible Mesoamerican Barrier Reef sits just meters off the Caribbean coastline. This is the second-largest reef after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and is just as impressive.

This means that the Tulum coastline is dotted with plenty of fabulous reef diving sites and is teeming with fish, crabs, lobsters, turtles, and stingrays. It’s no surprise then that this draws in thousands of divers each year. 

Cenote Diving

Tulum’s cenotes are as famous as they are beautiful. These sinkholes are made from limestone rocks that have resulted in water-filled caves over the last thousand years – in fact, the Yucatan Peninsula boasts more than 6,000 cenotes alone.

They are wonderful places to go scuba diving in Tulum (particularly for nervous divers or beginners) as they are often contained in pond-like spots. Cenote Angelina is, without a doubt, the most famous place to go diving in a cenote in Tulum. 

Note that even if you’re diving in a small cenote, it is crucial to have a diving instructor with you at all times.

Top Scuba Dive Sites in Tulum 

If you’re only taking part in one scuba diving session in Tulum, make it a reef dive to Cuevitas, or the “Little Caves.” It’s one of the most magical experiences we’ve ever taken part in and is situated around ten minutes from Casa Cenote.

On the dive, you’ll come across a series of small arches (or little caves, hence the name) and spot an array of colorful reef fish. If you’re lucky you might also see lobsters and blowfish. 

This is a great dive for beginners as it’s an easy 30ft max and doesn’t require too much knowledge or expertise.

Casa Cenote

Feeling nervous about diving? Casa Cenote is the perfect place for newbies to get a feel of Tulum scuba diving. This cenote is long and winding, but it’s very easy to navigate with a guide.

The maximum depth you’ll need to dive is 25ft and you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of freshwater and saltwater wildlife, fish, and even Panchito the friendly crocodile. Yes, really.

Cenote Angelita

For more experienced divers, Cenote Angelita is the best spot. 

The famous hydrogen sulfide cloud that marks the entrance to the dive has been created by decaying trees and wildlife, but once you pass through that into the deeper waters, the visibility is pretty great.

The water is a green-ish color, similar to that of a pond, while the maximum diving depth is around 130ft. Look up and you’ll feel as if you’re swimming underneath the clouds.

This is a great option for those looking to undertake more technical dives.

Tankah Deep

Tankah Deep is a dive site for intermediate divers, beginning with a back roll off the boat and a descent to 99ft. This is a particularly beautiful dive site, with colorful coral formations and an abundance of large fish in the area – in winter it’s also common to spot bullsharks.

Situated around 20 minutes by car from Tulum, Dos Ojos is a cenote that is named for it’s two eye-like holes that peer up at the sky – offering two fairly shallow dives. 

This cenote offers the beauty and reward of a technical dive without the need to be extremely experienced. During the dive, you’ll pass through a series of caverns and tunnels that lead to beautiful open spaces and clear, turquoise waters. 

On a diving trip to Coquitos, the starting point is just in front of the Tulum Ruins , not far from the palm trees lining the front of the site. The coral structures here are huge and varied, and there is plenty of marine life to admire whilst you’re underwater.

When the sea is calm, visibility can be as much as 90ft, though on rougher days visibility can be significantly reduced to 30ft. This is a great dive for beginners and intermediate divers alike.

Recommended Tulum Dive Shops

Agua clara diving tulum.

Agua Clara is the best dive shop Tulum boasts and is a PADI 5-Star center. They specialize in eco-friendly tours with smaller groups of people and pride themselves on their zero-waste approach. 

Agua Clara offers scuba diving in the reef or multiple cenotes in Tulum , or you can even head over to Cozumel with them to scuba dive there. This tour with Agua Clara takes you to some of the best cenotes in Tulum.

If you’re serious about scuba diving you can take a PADI accredited open water course, or opt for a simple reef dive with them if you’re (quite literally) just dipping your toes in the activity. 

Price: 2 dives for $130 USD 

La Calypso Dive Center

Particularly popular with French-speaking tourists, La Calypso Dive Center is another brilliant school in Tulum. With instructors speaking English, French, Spanish, and more, it’s no wonder that this dive center attracts a global audience.

La Calypso offers PADI courses as well as simple dives, beginner-friendly dives with very reasonable prices, and a choice between reef and cenote dives. 

La Calypso’s beginner course is particularly brilliant for nervous first-timers. This dive takes place at Casa Cenote and begins with an in-depth orientation that covers the basics: how to dive, the correct equipment, and essential techniques. This is followed by a short dive of around 30ft to get you used to diving.

Price: 2 dives from $130

Koox Diving

For more experienced divers, Koox Diving is perhaps the best center for Tulum diving. 

With courses on technical and deep sea diving, this diving school enables you to hone your skills and take part in more challenging dives – though, it has to be said that Koox’s prices are a little bit steeper than Agua Clara and La Calypso’s.

Koox offers both reef diving in multiple locations along Tulum’s coastline, as well as cenote diving in places such as Dos Ojos, Angelita, Gran Cenote, and Chac Mool in Playa del Carmen nearby.

As well as scuba diving, Koox offers freediving, swimming with whale sharks, and fishing tours. We’re eyeing up the Croc Night Tour, which sees you visiting a Tulum cenote under the night sky in search of friendly crocodiles.

Price: 1 dive from $174, 2 dives from $204

Infinity2Diving

Another excellent Tulum diving shop is Infinity2Diving , who offer PADI courses, simple diving lessons, and both reef and cenote diving excursions.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, this diving center also offers shipwreck diving to the likes of General Felipe Santiago Xicoténcatl’s wrecked ship near Cozumel and the Mama Vina wreck in Playa del Carmen. 

These are for more experienced divers and offer a fascinating alternative to your regular reef dive.

Price: 1 dive from $120, 2 dives from $170

Scuba Diving Tulum: Practical Tips and Map

• Choose your instructor wisely and ensure you have the correct certification needed for your dive. We’ve recommended the top dive centers in Tulum, but you’ll need to decide where you want to dive and whether you want to take a PADI course or an introduction to diving.
• Check that your travel insurance covers this kind of activity – scuba diving isn’t often covered automatically and so you may need to take out extra cover.
• Ascend slowly after your dive – make sure you breathe normally and come up out of the water gradually to avoid “the bends”. Your instructor will cover this before you head into the water and it is important to pay close attention to their instructions.
• Don’t touch anything! Your instructor will make you aware of any rocks you are able to touch during the dive, but resist touching any animals or corals as you do not know if they are poisonous and you could harm them.

Discover More Tulum Guides

• 15 Brilliant Places to Snorkel in Tulum
• Interactive Tulum Map: 20+ Things to do
• Beautiful Cenotes in Tulum You Need to Visit

Tulum Scuba Diving: A Detailed Guide For The Best Experience

Whether you’re a diving pro or a complete newbie, Tulum’s spectacular coastline and breathtaking cenotes won’t leave you disappointed. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first dive or your hundredth. There’s something for everyone. 

But where do you start? Which dive center do you go to, and which cenotes should you cover? Don’t Worry! I’ve got you covered.

Let me walk you through the various cenotes, dive schools, and shops, giving you the inside scoop you need to plan your first scuba diving experience in this beautiful town. 

Scuba Diving in Tulum- An Overview

Situated on the Caribbean coastline, Tulum offers a unique experience to its divers. It is the perfect combination of reef and cenote diving, with options available for all skill levels. 

The scuba diving experience in Tulum has everything you could ever ask for. The world underneath the water is a sight to behold. You’ll be passed by schools of colorful fish, speedy yet elegant green sea turtles, and a variety of spectacular coral formations. 

And remember, no dive will be the same as the last. You’ll always see, explore, or experience something new. But the true uniqueness of Tulum lies in its cenotes.

Everyone who has had at least one diving experience in the cenotes won’t shut up about it. I’m no different. But for you to understand why you must experience it for yourself, so that you can also be one of us!

When is The Best Time for Tulum’s Scuba Diving Tours

Tulum is a favorite spot for most scuba divers for one simple reason – we can come here pretty much all year round. Unlike most hotspots in the world, diving in Tulum is not dictated by seasons. But how is that possible? 

Yes, it’s due to the cenotes. You can choose to dive by the reef during favorable seasons, and you can go for a swim in the cenotes pretty much any time of year. These ancient underground water bodies have existed here for thousands of years, serving the locals.

If you’re a solo diver or generally like to avoid crowds while diving, go during the rainy season, which is from May to November.

You can easily visit a covered cenote as the rain doesn’t have much effect on the visibility over there. This is because most of them have some form of shelter from the elements.

I’m extremely fond of the Tulum Reefs during the dry season from November to April, as nothing can hamper visibility during that time.

If you’re planning to go in the dry season, don’t forget to take a camera with you! The visibility can be as phenomenal as 30 meters (approximately 100 feet), and you’ll be able to get some really cool pictures. 

Is Tulum Scuba Diving Worth It?

Tulum came up frequently whenever I spoke to my diver friends, but I never really understood why. The more I explored scuba diving, the more curious I became about this ancient seascape.

After sliding through a bunch of reviews online, I realized that this town’s fame with divers was totally on point. I had to go and see it for myself, and I was not disappointed.

The experience was beyond incredible! Anyone who loves diving will be blown away. Tulum Scuba diving can range from exploring underground caves to exploring the colorful coral reef, including everything you can imagine in between!

The town has a vibrant diver community that tends to go above and beyond to assist you, especially if you are a total newbie. And, if you are a seasoned one, you will fit right in! They will help you explore realms you never thought of. Just consider learning a little Spanish and you are good to go.

Best Part of Tulum’s Scuba Diving

Tulum is a paradise for all types of divers, regardless of experience level.

Whether you are an aquanaut or only prefer free dives, it is that must-visit destination for everyone who loves the deep blue. It doesn’t matter if you love unique rock formations, diverse and vibrant oceanic flora, or colorful sea creatures; you will find it all there!

If cenotes beguile you as much as it fascinates me, you are in for a real treat. You get coral reefs in various destinations all over the world, but unearthing these ancient subterrestrial waterbodies was ethereal. There is really nothing quite like it!

If you are a beginner, you will find the most patient instructors here, and if you are an expert, you may just find lifelong friends!

Things You Can See When Scuba Diving in Tulum

Do you like thrilling and rare diving experiences? I have the best news for you. You can go swimming along with whale sharks in Playa Del Carmen. These creatures are gigantic yet harmless and a mesmerizing sight to behold. 

Tulum has a spectacular diversity of marine life, including lobsters, manta rays, and turtles. There is a clear difference between the kind of biodiversity you can expect to see in the cenotes and coral reefs. If you dive into the reefs, you’ll enter a world that is very vibrant and colorful.

Try planning your trip between June and September so that you do not miss out on the chance to swim alongside sea turtles. During this season, Green and Loggerhead Sea Turtles make their nests along the Yucatan Peninsula and can be easily spotted in the part of the sea. 

On the other hand, each cenote has its own unique features. Some of them are pretty straightforward and not too deep, making them a great option for beginners and kids. A good example would be Casa Cenote. 

Some other cenotes are like underwater caves with lots of crevices, mysterious chambers, and hidden passages. But in all cenotes, you’ll be able to witness some of the local sea life and intricate aquatic flora.   

Is Scuba Diving in Tulum Safe?

Safety is one of my major concerns every time I travel to a destination, especially for scuba diving. Thankfully Tulum is one of the most popular diving destinations in all of Mexico, making it a hub for many certified expert divers who really know their job.

And when I say certified experts, I don’t mean the bare minimum certifications. I’m talking thousands of hours of experience that honed their skills and know-how of equipment to perfection. So they do teach their students adeptly and keep them safe.

Best Diving Spots in Tulum

The only way to know which scuba diving spots are the best is to experience them all. But it also depends on your level of experience, preference for depth, and level of navigational difficulty you like. Here are a few top options that are famous among divers visiting Tulum.

The deep water of Cuevitas, or “Little Caves”, is one of the most magical dives you can encounter. Located 10 minutes away from the famous Casa Cenote, this is a great option for beginners and experienced divers alike. 

It’s about thirty feet (at its maximum), and as the name suggests, there are lots of little caves or arches to explore and see some of the most colorful fish. If you visit during the right season , you may also spot some lobsters and blowfish. 

If you only have the time to do one dive while on your trip to Tulum, I strongly suggest you head straight to the Cuevitas, and I promise you won’t regret it. 

Casa Cenote

This is the perfect starting point for someone who’ll be trying their first dive ever. With a maximum depth of 25 meters, it’s comfortable and extremely safe. Being a mix of saltwater and freshwater environments, you’ll be able to see a lot of fish and local aquatic fauna.   

Despite being in a long and winding shape, this cenote is very easy to navigate around with the help of a guide. They only allow a maximum of four participants per dive, ensuring that all the divers get attended to and are well taken care of.

Cenote Angelita

This is one of the more advanced level cenotes fit for highly experienced divers. This is because, while most average dives are around 40 meters deep, Cenote Angelita is about 66 meters deep. 

This cenote is known for a hydrogen sulfide cloud that is at the entrance of the dive, which causes the decaying of trees and wildlife. The cloudy part looks as green as a pond!

Once you dive past this green cloud, there is pretty good visibility underneath. It almost feels like you’re swimming underneath the clouds. But keep in mind this is one of the tougher dives where things can get way more technical, and you will need to be more cautious than ever. 

Tankah Deep

If you feel like you’ve moved past the beginner stage of diving and are ready for something a little more adventurous, this is a great option. 

With a maximum depth of 30 meters, you’ll see a lot of unique flora and fauna. This is a beautiful dive site, and once in, you’ll see a lot of colorful coral formations and a lot of large fish. And if you visit during winter, you’ll also be able to spot Bull Sharks!

A 20-minute drive from Tulum, Dos Ojos is one of the most famous cenotes in the area. It gets its name from the two eye-shaped holes that hide the whole system of caves and caverns behind it. 

Once you get under the water, there is a lot to explore, like stalagmites, stalactites, ancient fossils, and colorful fish. You will get to explore a lot of cave-like structures, caverns, and tunnels. Once you go through them, you’ll end up in beautiful open spaces with stunning visibility.

This is a great point for those who are on the brink of stepping above the intermediate skill set. It will give you a fairly advanced diving experience without being too technical. 

Recommended Dive Shops in Tulum

Being a famous scuba diving destination this town has plenty of dive shops. But that doesn’t mean that all of them are equally good. Here are my top picks based on experience, ratings, and reviews. 

Agua Clara Diving Tulum

A PADI 5-star center, Agua Clara Diving has to be one of the best, if not the best, dive shops. Known for their eco-friendly tours with a zero-waste approach, they only host small groups to ensure they deliver on these commitments towards nature.

If you’re looking to take a PADI-certified open water course or just go for a one-time dive, it is a great shop to visit. They offer scuba diving on the reef and multiple cenotes across Tulum.

You can also book one of their cenote tours if you’re looking for a curated experience. Agua Clara offers 2 dives for a price of $130.    

La Calypso Dive Center

Another great option, their services are priced similarly to Agua Clara at $130 for 2 dives. But they are particularly famous among French tourists and other international visitors. This is because their diving instructors are known to speak English, French, and Spanish, among other languages. 

They offer dives at the reef and multiple cenotes. You can choose between PADI courses, beginner-friendly dives, and regular dives.  

La Calypso is also known for its beginner courses for first-timers, which cover all the basics of diving in an in-depth orientation. They will walk you through the process of diving, important techniques, essential equipment, and all the things a nervous first-time diver could think of, following it up with a dive at the Casa Cenote. 

Koox Diving

Koox diving is a popular choice among experienced divers. Perhaps you’ll find most of the experienced divers flocking towards them.

Once you are past the beginners’ stage, they offer more intermediate courses at their diving school. They teach more advanced courses on deep sea diving and its technical aspects. As a result, they are more expensive than Agua Clara and La Calypso.

This dive shop charges around $174 for one dive and $204 for two dives. They offer to take you to multiple locations along Tulum’s coastline and the more advanced Cenotes. 

Koox diving offers experiences like freediving, swimming with whale sharks, Croc night tours, and fishing tours.

Infinity2Diving

Like all the other dive shops I mentioned, Infinity2Diving also offers basic diving lessons, PADI-certified courses, and beginner dives. You can pick from a variety of cenotes and the coral reef. 

A unique thing they offer is their shipwreck diving tour. They take you to General Felipe Santiago Xicoténcatl’s, a wreck close to Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen’s Mama Vina wreck.

Meant for seasoned divers, these experiences are great options if you’re bored of your regular dives. Their price for one dive starts from $120 , and for two dives , it starts from $170. 

Discovery Dive in Tulum – Best for Beginners

Imagine going for your first dive ever, and that too in one of the best spots in the world. It is sure to get you hooked on scuba diving for life!

If you’re considering trying scuba diving for the first time, this is your sign. The Discovery Dive experience is a true God-sent for beginners. These dives are carefully designed for beginners.

You don’t need to make any commitments to getting a certification. This is just to give you some exposure to the experience of scuba diving. 

Keeping your safety at the utmost priority, you’ll be given theory lessons followed by a test session in the pool. You will then be taken for a shallow water dive to learn all the basics. The good thing is that Tulum has a variety of diving spots, many of which are beginner-friendly.

You will always have an experienced instructor to guide you along the way, so you can take things at your own pace and learn at a speed that works best for you. 

This experience costs around $155 per person, including equipment. Once you’re done with this, you can move on to other, slightly more advanced ones based on what you like and want to experience more of. 

Scuba Diving Tours You Shouldn’t Miss

Every diving school offers some common tours. Here are my top picks for you if you’re visiting Tulum for the first time, based on my own experience. This should save you some time and research on the internet. 

Cenote Diving for First-Time Divers

Tulum is the diving hotspot in all of Mexico, so there is plenty of competition among locals and an abundance of diving tours being offered. So, to make it to the top of the list, they have to be really good. 

First, there is the discovery tour meant for small groups. They take you to the beautiful Casa Cenote for a 40-minute scuba diving tour. You are guaranteed a magical underwater experience, as you will be taken through lots of small caverns and caves.

During that time, you’ll be able to spot schools of colorful fish and mangrove roots twirling in the water, among other beautiful things.

This tour is limited to a batch of four participants at a time. This way, the instructors can give proper attention to each diver. This makes it ideal if you’re a beginner and are still learning the art of scuba diving. 

This tour costs around $145 per person. You don’t need prior experience for this one and can choose from their morning and afternoon schedules. Given that it’s a 40-minute tour, it is easy to accommodate into a tightly packed vacation schedule as well. 

Cenote Diving for Advanced Divers

This is for all experienced divers. If you have the required certifications, I can’t recommend this one enough. It is an extensive 5-hour scuba diving tour that will be unique from all your dives so far. It takes you to two incredible cenotes which are totally different from one another.

You’ll first be visiting the Pit Cenote. This one extends to a sulfur cloud at 25 meters deep. You will notice a lot of caverns and nooks in the wall. Every time I go there, I’m surprised by something magical and picture-perfect. And it’s never the same as the previous visit. 

Then, they will take you to Dos Ojos Cenote, which is nearby. This is as unique an experience as you can get! No two visits are the same. The underwater life over there is just breathtaking. 

This Cenote Diving tour for Advanced Divers costs about $187 per participant and is worth every cent. Make sure you have the correct certification while booking this experience. 

Yoga & Diving in Two Cenotes

This super rare experience is a five-hour yoga and scuba diving experience that’ll feel like it will be over in a matter of minutes. 

If you’re anything like me and chase the experience of feeling so relaxed that you lose track of time, this one is for you. It is designed to help you relax and be present in each moment. You’ll feel like you are one with nature and enjoy each moment that passes. 

You’ll get started in the middle of some lush and beautiful vegetation. You’ll be guided through some basic breathing exercises followed by a few yoga asanas (poses).

The instructors are very accommodating and will be happy to tailor these poses to suit your flexibility and mobility. So you don’t need to worry about it if you’ve never done this before.

Once your mind and body are ready, you’ll head out to explore two nearby cenotes. When I went for this dive, I felt more present at the moment and was able to enjoy the process like never before. I’d definitely recommend it to every diver. 

This dive tour costs around $137 per person. It is conducted on limited days of the week. Make sure to book your place in advance so you don’t miss out on such a wonderful experience. 

Tank Scuba Dive Casa Cenote & Barrier Reef (Including Lunch)

If you decide to dedicate a whole day to scuba diving, this experience is tailor-made for you. This two-tank cenote and reef dive is a treat not to be missed! This is an experience unique to Tulum, offering you the best of both worlds: cenotes and reefs. 

This tour included a beautiful Mayan lunch (don’t miss out on the delicious fresh fruits they serve!), a boat ride to the reef, and the experience of diving in both fresh water and salt water. 

They try to do the whole thing in 6 hours, so it may seem a tad rushed. But you can’t blame them. You’ll get to experience quite a lot in such a short span of time. Their schedules, arrangements, and other facilities work like clockwork.

This experience will cost you around $180 per participant, which is pretty reasonable for the amount of things they stuff into this limited-time tour. Make sure you book your spot well in time. 

Learning Scuba Diving in Tulum – Is It Possible?

When you learn how to scuba dive, the location isn’t what matters the most. You’ll be able to find plenty of suitable diving sites for beginners worldwide. But there is something special about scuba diving in Tulum for beginners. Can you guess what that is? It’s the diving community.

Their diving community is one of the friendliest and most welcoming communities. Over there, you’ll always feel like a part of the community, whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver. The town has some of the best instructors. And there is also a variety of cenotes to explore.

If you’re looking to get a certification, then PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the most recognized one in the world. This is an open water certification, validating that you have the required skills and knowledge to dive up to 18 meters anywhere in the world. That sure is a fun thing to add to your list of accomplishments. 

There are plenty of amazing diving schools around town that’ll guide you through this process. Most of them offer a three-day course that costs around $400-$550, depending on the number of dives you choose.  

Is Scuba Diving in Tulum Suitable for Children?

The minimum diving age in Mexico is 10 years. So kids under that age aren’t allowed to participate in any kind of dives. That being said, scuba diving is one of the best activities for children who love being around or underwater.

This helps them build a lot of confidence and exposes them to a whole new universe down there. Kids between the ages of 10 and 14 can participate in discovery dives and get their own PADI Junior Open Water Certification. This allows them to go for dives under the supervision of an adult instructor. 

However, even with certification, the permissible depth varies based on their age. 10 or 11-year-olds can dive up to 12 meters. While 12 to 14-year-olds can go up to 18 meters (that is the same as adults). 

For kids above the age of 15, there are no restrictions. They can get the full certification (like an adult). And trust me, these interests and hobbies will follow them well into their adult life!    

Scuba Diving Vs. Snorkeling in Tulum

This question never gets old. Scuba diving or snorkeling? I would say that it depends. This is a personal choice and will vary from one person to another. So there’s no correct answer.

Most scuba divers (including me) will always prefer diving over snorkeling because immersing yourself in water and experiencing the world beneath is an irreplaceable experience.

And when you’re in such an iconic location, you’d want to squeeze out time for every additional dive possible. But if I look at it objectively, snorkeling does have its benefits over scuba diving.

The two big ones are price point and skills. Scuba diving is definitely pricier than snorkeling. Diving has a long list of safety requirements, and you need to learn about the gear(Yikes!). And that isn’t necessarily everyone’s definition of fun.  

Snorkeling in Tulum is a great option for multiple reasons. First, it is suitable for most fitness levels, and you can do it from the get-go (no arduous training).

If you sign up for Cenote Tours, make sure to check if they offer snorkeling as a part of the package because that’s the most convenient way to do it.

In the end, the choice between scuba diving and snorkeling depends on how adventurous you’re feeling, your budget, and the amount of time you have, among other factors. Whichever you pick, you’ll still get to see some spectacular creatures and amazing views. 

Scuba Diving Tulum: Practical Tips

Here are four tips I’d like to give to beginners or first-time divers. Keep in mind that it is these little things that help keep you safe. They also help ensure that these beautiful diving sites stay protected from the aquatic flora and fauna that live there.  

Choose Your Instructor Wisely

There is nothing more important than your safety. So make sure you go to a well-reputed diving center (check their reviews and ratings beforehand). For that, you’ll have to decide a few things.

First is where you want to dive and whether you want to do the PADI course or a simple introduction to diving. You must choose your diving instructor carefully and make sure you have the correct certification required as per local laws. Don’t take this lightly, as such experiences can be very high risk if you’re not trained for them properly.  

Check With Your Travel Insurance

Before you get started on finding the diving location, center, gear, etc., there is something more important to be done. That is to check with your travel insurance! Make sure that it covers this kind of activity because most travel insurance policies do not include water sports and scuba diving.

If you know in advance that you’ll be engaging in scuba diving, try to buy an insurance policy that covers it. Or else you’ll have to buy an additional cover at the last moment, which can be a slightly expensive affair. 

If you do it while in Tulum, do not buy it from any local shop without verifying its validity. If possible, try to get the extra coverage from your trusted insurance company because these things are too critical to be experimental with. 

Don’t Touch Anything Inside the Water

Sometimes we end up doing the most stupid things when we’re feeling particularly excited and exhilarated. Though you’ll be given all these basic instructions from your diving instructor, I’m still sharing them, given their importance. 

Don’t touch anything inside the water. Your instructor will tell you if it is appropriate to touch any particular rock or sediment. And remember, no matter how beautiful any fish, aquatic animal, or coral looks, do not touch them! They can be poisonous, and you could also end up harming them too. 

Ascend Slowly After Your Dive

Once you dive in, make sure you go slow while ascending out of the water. This ensures that you do not bump into any caves or bends. Your instructor will give you these tips ahead of the dive, so make sure you listen to them very carefully.  

Please do not take these things lightly, as they are meant for your well-being. 

Every time you hear about Tulum it’s either about the town’s boho vibe, its famous restaurants, beach clubs and bars, or something like that. But there’s a lot more to Tulum and it’s kind of a secret.

If you ask me, the scuba diving experience there is not talked about enough!

It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience with an undeniably beautiful world underneath waiting to be explored. And now you know how to go about it.

You can pick from the best cenotes, go to the best dive shops, and even get PADI certified with the help of Tulum’s experienced yet accommodating dive instructors. I can’t wait for you to get mesmerized by Tulum’s scuba diving experience!

Scuba Snorkel Tours Boutique

SCUBA DIVING

SCUBA SCHOOL

Tulum Diving & Travel

PADI 30 years member 

Scuba experiences.

PERSONALIZED SERVICES

Hacia abajo

 Tulum Diving & Travel

We provide cultural and natural experiences, something unique to remember for a lifetime. 

We work at your own pace, no crowded busses or boats. 

Ecotourism and Mayan Culture are our expertise, we customize your adventure to fit your needs. We use local businesses to help sustain the community and to keep the the local ancestral mayan traditions alive. Our guests learn first hand the importance of that interaction.

"We spend all our lives building our wealth and all wealth trying to rebuilt our lives"

Visit the mayan world and learn from the ancients the wisdom and philosophy of living in harmony with the environment.

aWe provide cultural and natural experiences, something unique to remember for a lifetime. 

Ecotourism and Mayan Culture are our expertise, we customize your adventure to fit your needs.

Discover the Mayan underworld!

Coral Reef 

National Marine Park

Wreck Diving

 Mama Viña Ship Wreck

DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING

Cenote Dives

Cavern Dives

Cozumel Reef Coral Reef

Bull Shark Diving 2 Dives for Advanced Divers

Croc Night Dive Diving or Snorkeling in a Cenote

MUSA Underwater Museum 2 Dives in 2 Locations

Revillagigedo & Socorro Islands

Malpelo Island Dive Trip 11-20 March 2024

Ocean & Reef Dives

La Paz Sea lions, reefs, wrecks

Lionfish Hunt Not Available

Puerto Morelos Reef & Shipwreck 2 Advanced Dives

Snorkel Tours Cenotes, Turtles, Manatees

Whale Shark Snorkel Tour Available June - Sept

Freedive Spearfishing Tour

Open & Advanced Open Water

Technical & Deep Sea

Cave Dive Training

Freediving Courses in Cenotes from Tulum & Playa del Carmen

Kitesurf Lesson Private lessons in Tulum

Aktun Chac-mool Small Group Day Tour

Choj Ha & Naranjal Small Group Day Tour

Coba Ruins and Punta Laguna Small Group Day Tour

Sian Ka’an & Muyil

Private Underwater Photoshoot Private tour from Tulum

Tulum Cenotes & Mayan Ruins

Playa Del Carmen Bull Sharks & Cenotes

Cozumel Coral Reef

Puerto Aventuras Reefs & Cenotes

Cancun MUSA Cancun & Whale Sharks

Wildlife Safari Pelagics, sea lions, sea views

Crocodile Night Tour

Dive or Snorkel

Unique Crocodile Night Dive and Snorkel Tour

Night Diving and snorkeling with the cenote crocodiles in Tulum is what you have come here for. This is a unique adventure that only Koox Diving can offer you. You get the chance to watch crocodiles in their natural habitat during the night. You can also see other interesting species such as shads, frogs, and other animals active at night. It is a very beautiful setting, under the sky full of stars. An unforgettable experience.

Check the unforgettable experience

And it is completely safe. We take no more than 6 people at a time. You will be in the good company of your crocodile tour guide for your snorkeling or diving adventure.

We take you to an open cenote under the stars, at the entrance of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. And it is adventure time: time to meet the majestic crocodiles.

Get a Quote

1-4 people small group visits – every day, meeting points available: Tulum, Playa Del Carmen All prices include equipment rental: – diving gear, tanks, a 5mm wetsuit, boots and torches Prices are fixed, regardless of the number of people in the group. Open water certification or equivalent is required for Diving For private cenote diving tours, please contact us, so we can provide an exclusive offer for you.

Another Incredible Croc Encounter Underwater

You are completely safe with Koox Diving in the company of the saltwater crocs. They are busy feeding with frogs and other small animals, as they usually do so at night. Diving with saltwater crocodiles is performed by diving beneath them using a torch for light. The crocodiles simply float on the water surface.

Make your time in Tulum a lifetime memory with the team of Koox Diving. Book any of our diving tours and take a look over underwater life around Tulum.

Drenched Divers and their Crocodile Night Dive with Koox Adventure

Come and meet us at 6:30pm at the Koox diving shop, we pick up the equipment and departure to the crocodile adventure returning to the shop around 10:30pm same day.

Just a Glimpse of the Experience

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies
• Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

More information about our Cookie Policy

15 Beautiful Cenotes to Explore in Tulum, Mexico

These natural swimming holes are a great way to cool down in the state of Yucatan.

Throughout Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula , tens of thousands of natural swimming holes, called cenotes, beckon travelers and locals, especially on warmer days. These natural limestone sinkholes are filled with cool waters that make them ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving.

If you're visiting the popular Yucatan city of Tulum , exploring nearby cenotes is a must. Some are more crowded than others, some more challenging to get to, and some require tour guides. To help you narrow down your options, we've curated a list of our 15 favorite cenotes near Tulum.

Related: What Every Traveler Should Know About the Maya in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula

About 20 minutes northeast of Tulum is a pair of spectacular cenotes called Dos Ojos, or two eyes, which are highly regarded for their crystal-clear water. As such, they're a very popular scuba and snorkel spot — divers can even explore 1,300 feet of underwater passageways that connect the two cenotes. One is known as the "blue eye," as sunlight illuminates its blue waters, while the other is a cave known as the "black eye," and it requires flashlights or headlamps to explore. 

Jardin del Eden

Located in Xpu Ha, 30 minutes outside of Tulum, this gigantic open-air cenote surrounded by jungle is popular with swimmers, sunbathers, and snorkelers. It can get busy, but its size prevents visitors from feeling too constrained. There are also convenient amenities here, including snorkel and life vest rentals, bathrooms, and food vendors.

Casa Cenote

This unique cenote just 20 minutes from Tulum is unique in that it feels a lot like a river — it's not just an open pit, but more of a snaking path through mangroves. It has a gentle current, a mix of freshwater and saltwater (as it's connected to the sea), and a fair amount of wildlife, including birds, fish, and crabs. It's also the home of a local legend: Panchito the crocodile. He's small and relatively harmless, as long as you don't bother him. 

Yal-Ku 

Half cenote, half lagoon, Yal-Ku is a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers looking to spot sea life — you can see sea turtles, rays, parrotfish, and barracudas here, just to name a few of the local residents. These creatures are drawn by the cenote's reef, which provides shelter from larger predators. As such, Yal-Ku is something of a natural aquarium, so arrive ready for wildlife encounters.

If swimming in a cave sounds good to you, head to cenote Chaak Tun in Playa del Carmen , about one hour from Tulum. You must book a guided tour to come here, and getting to the cenote requires a combination of walking and snorkeling. With the price of your tour, you'll also receive all the gear you need, including a wetsuit and snorkel equipment. 

El Gran Cenote

There's a good reason this cenote is called "grand" — it has immaculately clear waters, several chambers for exploration, and even some resident turtles. Located just outside of Tulum, this very popular cenote is great for the whole family. Be sure to bring goggles or snorkels to peer at underwater stalagmites, and don't forget to look up, where bats often dangle from stalactites.

This swimming hole is 10 to 15 minutes from the center of Tulum, yet it's still one of the less-crowded cenotes in the area. The small, open-air pool is highly regarded for its amenities — there's a restaurant here, as well as bathrooms and changing rooms. For a little more action, ride the short zip line over the cenote, which has you land in the water with a splash.

Yax-Muul isn't a single cenote, but rather a nature park with four cenotes. As it's rather tucked away down a dirt road, it's often pretty quiet here, allowing you to float or snorkel through the cenotes peacefully. Its calmness makes it great for families. Note that weekends are of course busier, so if you must go on a Saturday or Sunday, arrive early. Yax-Muul is about 15 minutes outside of Tulum.

This is another option for cave lovers. Sac Actun is the world's longest underwater cave system, measuring about 228 miles in length, though new passages are still being discovered. It's filled with hundreds of cenotes, so you could spend a whole day cenote hopping here. This is an ancient system of caves was found only recently — Mayan artifacts and fossilized animals are among treasures spotted in the waters.

As you might've guessed from the name, this cenote is a giant pit, measuring 130 feet deep and ideal of scuba divers. For those diving far below the surface, beams of sunlight penetrate the water in a mesmerizing display. El Pit is technically part of the Sac Actun network, but its significance as a dive site makes it worthy of an individual mention.

If you visit enough cenotes, they can start to feel a bit repetitive. This one stands out from the crowd with a unique activity: kayaking. You can rent a kayak onsite or bring your own to cruise through Manati's clear waters. And as you navigate the cenote, whether by kayak or snorkel, you'll be treated to Riviera Maya's "hidden forests" of mangroves, which grow both above and below the water's shimmering surface. You can also dive here, as Manati reaches a depth of about 164 feet. Find this pool just 20 minutes outside of Tulum.

Azul Bacala

Although it's a 40-minute drive from Tulum, this large cenote is a cliff jumper's paradise — and that makes it worth the trek. Many guests leap into the cool waters from a small cliff at the cenote's edge, but there's also a dock for easier access. We recommend bringing snorkel gear to see all the fish that live here.

Not far from the center of Tulum is this picturesque cenote. Surrounded by the jungle, Atik is only accessible by a large ladder that descends into its blue waters, where you'll likely spot turtles. Surrounding the cenote are art installations, including a wall of skulls that nods to the Mayan belief that cenotes are entrances to the underworld.

This cenote is certainly not misnamed — it has crystal-clear waters popular with swimmers of all ages. One of the best things about this cenote is that its entrance fee is rather affordable at around $10 (though this is always subject to change). Because of that, it can get crowded, so visit on a weekday morning for a more serene experience. 

Tortuga 

Tortuga is a nature park with a lovely cluster of four cenotes, all located about 15 minutes from Tulum. Three of the cenotes are cavernous, so you'll see rock formations like stalagmites and stalactites, plus fossils. The fourth cenote is a large, open-air pool good for cliff jumping. There's an onsite restaurant, and even a hotel if you'd like to stay for more than a day.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure .