Playa del Carmen est l’un des meilleurs endroits au monde pour la plongée sous-marine.
Que vous souhaitiez explorer les récifs colorés, découvrir les célèbres cenotes ou vous intéresser aux épaves locales, vous trouverez ici des options adaptées à votre niveau Open Water.
Cenote diving for Open Water divers
The cenotes of the Riviera Maya are among the most impressive dives in the world.
BUT not all of them are accessible with an Open Water certification. So here is the Top 4 cenotes you can dive with a PADI Open Water Diver:
Cenote Dos Ojos
Dos Ojos is probably one of the most famous cenotes in the region, and for good reason: its two turquoise “eyes” of water connected by a vast cave system create a completely unreal atmosphere.
Beneath the surface, you dive into incredibly clear water where the light carves bluish beams between stalactites and rocks.
The play of shadows and the limestone formations make it a memorable dive for Open Water divers who want to discover the world of cenotes!
Cenote Chac Mool
Chac Mool offers a completely different, more atmospheric experience, with impressive haloclines, this phenomenon where freshwater meets saltwater creates a visual effect as if you were floating in a mirage.
Open Water divers who want beautiful photos strongly prefer Cenote Chac Mool thanks to its incredible light effects!!
Cenote Carwash
At Cenote Carwash, the water is incredibly clear, providing almost perfect visibility throughout the dive. Open Water divers can move freely in a large open area, without cavern penetration, while enjoying a unique natural setting.
You can observe large roots, beautiful water lilies, dense vegetation on the bottom, and light that often creates stunning reflections.
It’s a calm, wide, and easy site, ideal for a relaxing dive that still stands out thanks to its atmosphere and exceptional clarity.
Cenote Jardin del Edén (Ponderosa)
Jardín del Edén, also known as Ponderosa, is a huge open natural pool surrounded by vegetation and bathed in sunlight. It is ideal for Open Water divers who haven’t dived for a while, as the first dive is used as a refresh, and on the second dive you can explore the cavern section of the cenote.
Sun rays in the cenote pass through the crystal-clear water, creating a paradisiacal setting. You’ll find a diverse fauna there, including freshwater perch and turtles, as well as surprising rock formations in the deeper areas.
Ocean diving for Open Water divers
Aside from the Riviera Maya’s cenote specialties, ocean diving is also quite incredible, with famous dive sites and several shipwrecks!!
But just like cenotes, not all sites can be dived with an Open Water certification.
Diving in Playa del Carmen
Most dive sites in Playa del Carmen are between 10 and 18m deep, which fits within Open Water limits while offering a huge diversity of marine life.
You dive in calm waters, often with a gentle drift, with visibility that makes it easy to admire turtles, stingrays, tropical fish, and moray eels.
It’s the ideal place to regain confidence if you haven’t dived for a while, or to experience your first ocean dives in a safe and colorful environment.
Diving in Cozumel
Cozumel is considered one of the best dive destinations in the world, and many of its reefs are perfectly accessible to Open Water divers.
It’s a spectacular environment where you regularly encounter turtles, eagle rays, parrotfish, groupers, and a multitude of colorful species living along the reef slopes.
Bull shark diving (Conditions)
Bull shark diving in Playa del Carmen is one of the most impressive experiences in the region.
It is generally accessible to Advanced Open Water divers, but if you are Open Water with around 25 logged dives, you can also take part.
Les centres demandent donc que les plongeurs aient une expérience récente et une flottabilité stable.
Lorsqu’elle est possible, cette plongée offre un moment incroyable au contact de l’un des animaux les plus emblématiques de la Riviera Maya, dans un cadre contrôlé et parfaitement encadré.
Wreck diving (Conditions)
Most wrecks in the Riviera Maya are too deep for Open Water divers, as they are generally located between 25 and 30m, and sometimes deeper.
Some dive centers accept Open Water divers on shallower wrecks when available, but this always depends on the conditions of the day, such as current or visibility, as well as the diver’s recent experience.
In most cases, it is preferable to obtain the Advanced level before diving wrecks like the C-53 in Cozumel, in order to enjoy the site safely and with greater ease.
Conclusion
Whether you are in the process of earning your first certification or already comfortable underwater, Playa del Carmen offers a wide variety of dives perfectly suited to the Open Water level.
Shallow reefs, accessible cenotes, impressive marine life—everything is in place to give you unforgettable experiences.
Would you like to book a dive with instructor or simply check whether your level allows you to access a specific site?