Looking for rental gear in Playa del Carmen

[IslandDiversHI]

Hi all,

Looking for a recommendation for tank, weight and gear rental in Playa in Dec. I'm leading a trip in Coz and them doing a little add on trip to Playa for a day sightseeing in Tolum and then a couple dives in the cenotes the next day. Looking for a place to rent a few sets of doubles (for Cave II dive leaders) and singles for the recreational divers. We'll need some weights and a couple of the travelers will need gear too. I've contacted a number of Playa dive centers, but it seems that most do not rent out their gear.

I've got a shop near Puerto Adventuras that we can use, but convenience is the name of the game. Anybody know where I might go to outfit the group in Playa?

For those inclined to give the cenote diving lecture: Dive leaders have ten year experience cave diving cenotes in Q Roo, are fully equipped for cave, will be staying well within the cavern zone, going somewhere we are very familiar with, and dive instructors to boot. We are just not locals. We are just taking the folks that we will have been diving with all week in Coz on a fun cenote dive, no charge.

I've been told by one dive center that you are not allowed to dive in Mexico without a guide? Sounds like a line to me, but anyone know if there is any truth to that? Having been going there for the last 10 years annually, I know it is not enforced, but I'm curious nonetheless.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[warmwaterturner]

Reef Quest Divers. Steve Flannigan is the owner. Been using them for three years running. They are located at the Blue Parrot hotel and also have a website with their info.

 

[Beyond_Diving]

Its not that you cant dive without a guide. Its that to guide in the cenotes, the landowners have imposed some restrictions. You have to bring in a whole bunch of paperwork (including papers which authorize you to be legally working in Mexico).

 

[IslandDiversHI]

Thanks warmwaterturner for the lead. Vrykolakas, you associated with Beyond Diving? Looks like you are in Playa, not interested in helping us out? We have our favorite cenotes, but I've been to all of the popular ones over the last ten years and quite a few of the ones far off the beaten path (thought the beaten path get's wider every year), and I can count on one hand the number of times I've been asked for a certification card. I'm pretty sure that if we show up with entrance fees, we'll be okay. Thanks for the clarification though, I was pretty sure the guy at the first dive shop I contacted was feeding me a line about not being able to dive without a guide in Mexico....

 

[Beyond_Diving]

Yes IslandDivers. I own. Beyond Diving in Playa. I'd love to help you out, however December being high season I dont think we'll be able to rent out any gear. We're a small shop, and we'll likely have just enough for our divers. The issue with getting into the cenotes without a local guide is that since the incident a few months ago landowners have placed a lot of restrictions, and like I said, there's a whole lot of paperwork that has to be brought in. You cant just go and pay your entry fees and voila, you're in anymore.

 

[dive pro]

I recommend you hire Erik and his team to take you to great sites, they are really the best! they care about your safety and know the places like the back of their hands, I know Erik does for a fact, I leisure dive with him at the caverns, I am a Dive Professional and provide dive services, so the bar is set high.
Even if you were allowed in, it would be best to go in with someone that knows where they are at all times.
Happy diving