Shore Diving in Puerto Aventuras?

[Moe38132]

Does anyone know if shore diving is permitted in Puerto Aventuras?

Many Dive operators I’ve used in the past, offer unlimited shore dives when booking large dive packages. I see there are 3 dive operators in the area, Pro Dive, Aquanauts, and Dive Aventuras. We were arranging a package with ProDive in advance of our trip and said we wanted to do some shore dives on our own since we had some junior divers in our group that would like to get more practice without only going on the boat for their dives. We have been to the resorts in the area twice before and realize there are no reefs that close to the shore, but there is still plenty of fish and sea life to view. We have been on many shore dives on our own before and have a dive flag and know about currents and surfs and tides etc.

ProDive would not give us shore diving and really did not give as a good reason other than “there is not much to see” and “Mexico prefers that there be an instructor or DM with all dives”. This seemed like a wishy-washy answer to me and perhaps a way of trying to get us to purchase more boat dives. I haven’t checked with the other operations in the area yet.

Does anyone know?

Thanks!

 

[ibj40]

We been to Puerto Aventuras at least once a year for the past six or seven years, and have yet to shore dive. While there is a lot of structure along and South of the inlet to the marina, it is easily snorkeled and really never gets more than six to eight feet deep. Outside of that, the surf and boat traffic appear to be sufficient that I wouldn't want to run the risk of ingress and egress from what is some very aggressive iron shore.

Enjoy PA, it's a fun little place!

 

[scubamarketing]

Might want to contact Planet Scuba Mexico (Planet Scuba Mexico - Serving Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel, and the Riviera Maya), they’re friends of mine and I know at one point they were exploring options for worthwhile and safe shore diving, I’m just not sure what ever happened with it.

 

[Moe38132]

Thank you for the replies and information ibj40 and scubamarketing.

I did look at the website for the Planet Scuba dive operators... so thank you for the link. Before I had a chance to dig further into it with Planet Scuba, one of the other Dive Operators in the area answered my e-mails and told me why... which was a resonable answer which was that none of the Dive operators in the Puerto Aventuras town/area allow shore diving because of the boat traffic in and our of the port and marina. This makes sense. I can also see if one of the operator such as Planet Scuba was trying to make arrangements to offer it, but I could see where that should be resticted shore dives only accompanied wth a Dive Master or Instructor and not let people just go out on their own. Thanks to Aquanauts for replying to my e-mail and answering my question. My group can always drive a little south to Akumal and rent from someone down there if our young divers in our group want more practice. I hope this thread helps someone else who may be wondering the same thing.