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We invite you to explore and discover the Mayan Great Barrier Reef, the second largest coral barrier in the world.

Playa del Carmen offers many different diving options, the opportunity to explore different reefs and diving sites in only one destination. Incredible dives in the Maya Riviera, the Island of Cozumel, fabulous walls in the Caribbean Sea, and caverns in Cenotes that do not exist anywhere else in the world are what provide this unique opportunity.

Cerebros

Cerebros, which means brains, isthe most northern reef. Due to its distance by boot it is the least dived of the reefs of Playa del Carmen. The coral formations at the edge of the reef create a scenic landscape to wander around and are home to many crustaceans, such as lobsters,king crabs and shrimps. You can also find moray eels, scorpion fish and a large variety of reef fish.

The best dive starts at the southern end of the reef. Swim to where the reef meets the sandy floor, follow along the edge while exploring the formations. Along the middle section and at the end of the reef you will find some beautiful arches to swim through.

Los arcos

Named after its two arches, Los Arcos is a relatively deep dive. The wali sections are 5m (15 ft.) in height and are covered with hard corola sponges and fan corals. On the sandy areas the diver can find turtles, groupers and stingrays. The arches shelter Schools of fish, moray eels and many Crustaceans.

01'1 days with good visibility, you can see the reef from the surface. Jump into the water at the southern end of the reef and enjoy the free descent in blue water to the bottom of the reef. Moving north beside the wali, it is worthwhile to examine the reef in detail. Swim above the reefs' plateau when nearing your no Tres Rios decompression limit and from there start your ascent. Because of its often strong currents, Los Arcos is recommended for advanced divers.

Pared verde

This famous wall isvery different in formation from the classical endless drop off reet Pared verde has sections of walls which are split by sloping hillsof sond. Ask the boat captain to drop you off on the southern end of the reef, and descend straight to the botfom keeping the reef to your left. At first you will find smaller walls which are divided by sandy crees. Further north along the reef the diver will reach the longer stretch of wo√l. The spectacular coral formations are full of large and small marine llte, Be alert for spiny lobsters, king crabs, turtles, sting rays and sharks that may be swimming along the reet After approximately 3/4 of the dive you will find a cavern with a chimney which exits at the top plateau of the reef, where you can start your ascent to the surtoce. 

Chun-zumbul

Chun-zumbul is one of the longest and shallowest dives in the area and it is at its best on days with little current. Begin this reef dive at the southern end and drift northwards. You will encounter sections of garden-like vegetation with coral overhangs.

If you stay on the outer fringe of the reef you will reach one of the coral cavern areas which are the most attractive sections of this reef. Take your time here and enjoy the schooling fish while looking out for hidden creatures. After passing an area with garden-like vegetation that provides shelter for flounders, lemon rovs. moray eels, shells Chun-zumbul and arrow crabs, you will come to another section with coral caverns and overhangs.

Jardines

Jardines is so named for its' garden-like vegetation.In addition to a variety of sponges, hard coral and fan coral, the reef is covered with sea whips and other tree-like plants that give home to an abundance of marine life including the green and the spotted morayeel.

The middle of the reef isthe most colorful, especially along the edges between the reef and sand, where you can find some small overhangs. Take your time to spot the creatures that find shelter here, then swim along the top of the reef to play with the schooling fish. Make sure to send a marking bouy to the surface prior to ascending as you are diving under the boat highway between Playa del Carmen and Coco beach. Be aware that at this dive site the current has been known to rapidly change direction north or south.

Sabalos

Originally named after the schools of Sabalos / Tarpon that still can occasionally be seen here. Sabalos is one of the most demanding of the shallow reef dives due to the strong currents which are frequent. As soon as you descend, swim to where the reef meets the sand and stay close to the bottom. You will be more protected from the currents by moving along the edge of the reef. If you swim at a distance from this edge, the current can carry you over the top of the reef whereby, you will miss the high points of the dive. The reef consists of healthy hard and soft corals of 011variations. There are many kinds of fish and starfish on the sand. Near the end of this dive you will find a small cavern for exploration. The top of the reef is at an ideal depth for your safety stop and often large snappers are seen here.

Barracuda

Situated northwest of Tortuga reef and at a shallower depth, Barracuda ls traditionally the second dive after the turtle garden. Picture the reef as a hand with five finger-like outcroppings. Start your dive at the southern end of the reef swimming north while exploring the extended reef edges. Stay over the sand at the edge of the reef so that the current does not carry you over the top of the reef. There are many small holes to explore along the reef and with some luck and a keen eye, you may spot some patrolling barracuda. Nearing the end of the reef it is worth investigating the shallow cave that will take you to an exit on the top of the reef. 

Mama viña

Thisformer shrimp boat was intentionally sunk in 1995 for diversoSince then, the coral growth has proceeded rapidly on this artificial reef. With a maximum depth of 30m (100ft) and the possibility of strong currents, this dive is forthe-experienced diver. Jump into the water south of the wreck and maintain a depth of 10m (30 ft) untilyou see the bow of the wreck, which eseasily seen from a distance. Once close. descend to the bottom and drift along the side of the wreck until your each the stern where you will find the propeller. From here it is recommended to move up into the lower deck and explore the inside rooms. To your right-hand side there is an air pocket where you can ascend out do not remove your regulator. Afterwards move to the top level, lean on the ceiling, and enjoythe schools offish. When it istime to ascend simply let yourself go with the current including your safety stop.

CENOTES

Chac-Mool

The entrance to this cenote is about 100 meters south of puerto aventuras.there are two water entries to chac-mool both leading into the same rooms. The first room is relatively big with a lot oflight entering from the opanng.In the second room, a portion of the ceiling has collapsed under an air dome, in which divers can surface. this allows the diver to duve next to two levels of beautiful stalagtites.

Along the opening of the main entrance, there are some trunks and branches reaching into the water. here you com experience a stunning laser light show on sunny days. Chac-Mool is one of the caverns where you will find a halocline. This is where salt and fresh water come together creating fascinating visual effects. with ist large rooms and maximun depth of 45 fl, 12 m,Chac Mool is perfec for everyone new in cavern diving. It also offers long penetrations for cave divers and is home to the largest underwoter stologtite in theworld.

Poderosa

Situated 3 km south of Puerto Aventuras and 25 km south of Playa del Carm youwill find ponderosa, a large and beautiful cenote, also known as "El den". Big rocks covered by mosses end plants on the bottom of the cenote are home to a variety of fish, freshwater eels and aquatic plat life. This makes ponderosa to a perfec place for snorkelers and swimmers as well as for diving courses on days the ocean is too rough to dive. For inexperienced cavern divers this cenote is ideal as the rooms are very large and the main part of the dive takes the diver along the edse of the nearby cenote coral garden, here breathtaking light shows are waiting for the divers. the whole cenote has a halocline at 10 m hor cave divers there are many different ways to go, often connected to nearby cenotes.

Tajmahal

This cenote, which has a lot to offer for cavern and cave divers alike, is situated 26 km south of Playa del Carmén and 5 km south of puerto aventuras. thr cavern tour leads from the entrance straight under an air filled bat cave. This is where light falls through a hola in the ceiling and penetrates info the water like a lazer beam,during and penetrates info the water like a lanzer beam, during the summer time of the year, continuing the dive,you will enter info the sugar bowl,a second small cenote where yuo can see an amazing light show on sunny days.Besides this, Tajmahal is decorated with stalagtites and stalagmites in various corners, plenty of hidden fossils can be spotted if you keep your eyes open. Haloclines in the deeper areas make interesting miror-like effects, as divers penetrate into the layer of saltwater below the fresh. for cave divers there are upstream and downstream possbilities. Ask your cave guide where to find the Chinese Garden.

Dos ojos

The entrce to this popular and famous cenote is situated one kilometer south of xel ha and about 48 south of playa del carmen. From the highway, a dirt road leads 4 km to the actual cavern and cave areas. The name " do ojos", meaning " two eyes", originated because there are two circular cenotes which are located very close to one another. Dos Ojos is known for it's multiple shallow dives, giving divers plnty of bottom time to enjoy this beautifully decorated system.two very different caverns both start and end in the same place.This dive leads the diver mainly along the opening of the second eye, containing plenty of daylight. It also gives divers a lot of space to swim around huge columns and stalagtites. Be ready for some exciling surprises on this dive.

Calavera

Cenote calavera which means " skull cave " in english is also known as " temple of doom ". Situated just outside of Tulum on the turnoff to cuba, calavera is not just an interesting "hole inthe ground", but an cavern dive of a different type.To enter the water some courage is needed as the diver needs to jump 3m down or climb the steep ladder. The cavern area is a big room with a hill in the middle around which divers are darker than in others,and many fossiles acn be spotted. For cave divers calavera offers upstream and downstream dives, talk to your cave guide about the "fang", a huge stalagtite.

Gran cenote

It's name says it all Gran Cenote is consedered one of the best for snorkeling, cave and cavern diving in the Rivera Maya. this cenote is part of the system of sac aktun which means white cave in Maya. It is located on the highway to coba just 4 km outside of the city of Tulum. the cavern dive is circular around the edge of the cenote with a maximun depth of 10 m, with plenty of light falling in, this is a good dive for inexperienced cavern divers. perfect buoyancy is required decause the cavern as well as the caves are highly decorated. for cave divers an impressive cave is waiting to be explored. Snorkelers can view the formations of the cavern area without ever diving under the water.being situated so far from Playa del Carmen, Gran Cenote is usually combined with Angelita or Car Wash cenote.

Carwash

No longer used for washing taxis, Carwash is situated 8 km outside of Tulum on fhe road to coba. with the water level being just a few inches below ground level, divers find an easy. Entrance into the water. You will enter the water through the roots and fallen trees which like any good fairy tail tankes you to a strnge and different world. for the cavern divers there are upstream and downstream dives possible, though the upstream section with it's large chestnut colored columns is the most popular section for covern diving. The light falling through the roots create an amazing light show and the large room behind is beatifully decorated. cave divers can find many rooms along their way, ask your guide for the room of tears, Adriana's room and many more.

Angelita

Angelita, in english "little angel", is not only an atypical cenote dive, but a once in a lifetime dive in all respects. Situated 17km south of Tulum, it is the furthest site visited from Playa del Carmen. Walking abouf 5 minutes through the jungle you reach this picturesque circular shaped cenote which does nothing more than go straight down 200ft, 60m. Descending through clear fresh water you will sink right into a mystical hydrogen sulfate layer at 100ft/30m that looks like a big cloud with trunks and branches reaching through it. Passing through the cloud, the diver will reach the salt water. It is dark here, giving the diver the feeling of being in a forest at night. Angelita is a dive for the experienced diver because of it's depth. Most commonly it is dived to a depth of 130ft/40m. This cenote is visited as well by technical divers for decompression dives.