Best diving in Mexico for young divers

[scubamom59]

I've been diving in Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Cabo, Socorro, Riviera Maya. Haven't been for a few years. Want to take my kids (13 & 17, both PADI Advanced) to Mexico next summer. Any ideas on the best place to dive and stay? Thanks!

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Consider Akumal. 2 dive shops, I hotel, a few restaurants, grest warm bay to play in when not diving. Diving is excellent, one tank at a time on small boats. Off the beaten path. check it out, but don't tell anyone else. We like to stay at Las Casitas condos right on their private beach, which is about 150 yards or less from Akumal Dive Shop.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Coconut Divers]

Depends on what type of Hotel you are looking forand what you plan on doing besides diving. I think there are great places all along the coast for you and the kids.

 

[Peitho]

I just got back from my first diving in the ocean after having an advanced open water card (that I wasn't using) for years. I LOVED Isla Mujeres and can't imagine any place that would be better for beginners or kids. The place we stayed was off the beaten resort path, with its own dock for leaving on dives, great pool and less than $2 cab ride into town or to beach clubs. It was called Paradise Divers at Marina Paraiso. I can't wait to get more of my friends to learn to dive so I can take them there for a first "real diving trip". The underwater museum is so cool and unique, amongst others.

 

[bluechub]

Akumal is pretty nice. Did 11 days last month with the family, daughter is 15 and AOW, son is 11 and JOW. You can stay shallow (plenty to see) or go a little deeper (70-90 ft) to see bigger coral formations. Snorkeling is great (if you stay at the Akumal Beach resort) right in front of the beach. If you go in season (summer), the turtles come to lay eggs right there on the beach, a fantastic experience. Tulum and the cenotes are also very close. My recommendation is for Blue Experience Diving: very safe and efficient dive shop, experienced instructors, small boats and personalized service. They will pick you up at your hotel and store and rinse your gear for you. We did more than 40 dives with them and I highly recommend them.

 

[Blue Life]

Hi ScubaMom,

It is great to see that you liked Mexico so much that you are planning on bringing your kids over. I will have to agree that Akumal is a great option for a family vacation. It is in a great location along the Riviera Maya, the beach is beautiful, the diving there is perfect for your kids, if you are into cenotes they are really close by, you can swim with the turtles, the hotel and restaurants are of great quality, and if you feel like you want a change you can drive to Tulum or Playa del Carmen in just 30 min. I feel it has it all for your family. Your kids will love it! If you are looking for something more alive, more restaurants and an unlimited night life, I will say to stay in Playa del Carmen.
I hope this helps!
Warm regards from Mexico,

 

[mikeycanuk]

I like Akumal too but have not been back in a while. There is a dispute right now between the CEA and the locals. CEA has dumped a large amount of rocks blocking the pueblo access to the beach. Turns out the CEA is an environmental front for the landowner of Akumal who is in the process of selling out to the Secrets hotel chain. So sad, Akumal was a victim if its own natural beauty. I was more angry of the choice of an environmental agency to green wash this con game.


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[wetsetdivers]

Hi ScubaMom,

I agree that Akumal is a fantastic place to dive, but we are also biased... we have a small dive shop (Wet Set Diving Adventures) in Puerto Morelos, and we love Puerto Morelos.

It also has the relaxed, small town feel, but we have a few more restaurants and there are also lots of options for hotels - all-inclusives along the beach to the north and south, smaller Mexican-owned hotels in town, and particularly popular with families, lots of condos and holiday rentals (giving you more space to spread out and relax, as well as a kitchen to enjoy a few nights in if you want). There is a nice variety of restaurants, with all kinds of cuisines, and a little shopping, but generally just a great beach and a relaxed place to visit.

We especially love that it is only 15 minutes drive from Cancun airport, so no long drives after the flight. The town is a cute little fishing village, that has expanded but hasn't lost its charm.

We have lots of great diving, offering a lot of variety of sites for your Jr Advanced diver... most of our sites are between 60 - 25 feet. And then we're smack in the middle between Cancun (for the MUSA underwater museum & snorkeling with the whale sharks!) and Playa del Carmen (in case you fancy a day trip back over to Cozumel). We also offer trips to dive the cenotes locally and all down the Mayan Riviera.

So, basically, we offer what lots of dive shops in the Mayan Riviera, but based in a relatively unknown spot with great diving. But there are other dive shops in our town, so you also have a chance to choose.

Feel free to email us if you have any questions. In the meantime, here's some pics of our diving.

Best, Lindsay

 

[fjdavids]

Hi, for sure the best place to enjoy the entire family and relax, learn and dive is Mahahual/Costa Maya, in the south area of the mexican caribe, pristine waters, tons of corals and until now totally virgin dives areas... hope to help you in the near future!! Fran