Yucatan trip - looking for diving opportunities

[Korhil]

My wife (non-diver) and I are travelling to Yucatan from Europe in April for 2 weeks.
We are thinking of renting a car and tour the peninsula, staying in a few different places. The itinerary is yet to be determined. However, as a certified diver (CMAS 1*=OWD), I'm looking for the best chances to dive during the trip. I'm thinking of 4 open water dives and 2 cenotes. From what I gather, the latter can be dived from Tulum where, I guess, we'll stay for at least 2 nights. The question remains for the rest.
I went through a couple of the board threads and it's obvious the best spots are near Cozumel island. However, it seems to me, travelling and getting accommodation there may not be the best solution, considering that the whole trip isn't diving oriented, my wife doesn't dive (she likes snorkeling, though) and my certification only allows diving up to 20m (65ft) deep. What do you think? My initial research shows that Akumal could be suitable for our needs

 

[rick00001967]

yes tulum area will be the closest access for the cenotes.
i assume you will be also spending some time in playa del carmen. lots of dive ops for ocean diving. we use tank ha. contact mike there. tons of options to stay, eat, play.
cozumel would be easily accessible by ferry.
akumal has an amazing beach where you can snorkel close to shore and see turtles.
merida is another popular place to visit.
no shortage of things to do in the yucatan with all the beaches, ruins, xcaret, xel-ha, etc etc.

 

[KDAD]

Cenotes can be dived from anywhere in the Yucatan though the drive may be more depending on where you are going. Tulum is centrally located to a lot of cenotes; Akumal is not far off.. Cenotes are not deep and many can be snorkeled by your wife while you dive.

Do the cenotes dives first - you may not want to do all 4 open water dives after that.

 

[horn34]

Drive south and dive Mahahual and Xcalak. Or you can take a trip to Banco Chinchorro from Mahahual, where you can dive and your wife can snorkel.

Playa del Carmen diving is boring.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Drive south and dive Mahahual and Xcalak. Or you can take a trip to Banco Chinchorro from Mahahual, where you can dive and your wife can snorkel.

Playa del Carmen diving is boring.

Not for a new diver, it wouldn't be.

 

[horn34]

Not for a new diver, it wouldn't be.

I did my checkout dives and then 4 other dives in Playa many years ago. It was boring.

 

[rick00001967]

Drive south and dive Mahahual and Xcalak. Or you can take a trip to Banco Chinchorro from Mahahual, where you can dive and your wife can snorkel.

about 20 years ago i had the pleasure of meeting and diving with a very well known instructor / trainer in playa del carmen. after taking us on our first cenotes dive experience, we got to talking about other dive options in the area. he was very confident (at least at that time) that there were sites just as good if not better than those found off cozumel. unfortunately we never had the opportunity to take him up on his offer to dive any of these sites. i am wondering if perhaps the ones you are mentioning may be some of them. i have always wanted to drive down to these areas just to see them. i always assumed they would be more like playa used to be 20 years ago.

 

[Korhil]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Depending on the final itinerary I'll consider either driving to the southern sites (Mahahual and Xcalak) or taking a ferry to Cozumel and staying there for 2-3 days, as from what I gather those locations are superior to the mainland of Riviera Maya.
And what about western and northern side of Yucatan?

 

[rick00001967]

And what about western and northern side of Yucatan?

i would love to hear if there are any as well. as far as i know, there are a few cenotes i believe that can be dived but ocean diving is basically non existent.

 

[ChuckP]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Depending on the final itinerary I'll consider either driving to the southern sites (Mahahual and Xcalak) or taking a ferry to Cozumel and staying there for 2-3 days, as from what I gather those locations are superior to the mainland of Riviera Maya.
And what about western and northern side of Yucatan?

If you want to casual dive in Cozumel, I can take you - most first dives are max 80’ but we can do 65’ max with no problem - depending on how you want to stay, I can book you at a few hotels or help you with AirBnB type stuff.

The formations here are pretty good, well worth seeing