MEXICO
This is the shortlist you would send a diving friend: 8 padi courses in Mexico worth the airfare, with the price, the certification needed and the one thing to check before you pay.
Learn scuba in Cabo with PADI pool training, a 30-minute ocean session, small groups, and clear advice on extra fees and pickup.
“I had never been scuba diving, but my husband is pretty experienced. The training was good and each person had an experienced diver to help guide them underwater. I never felt unsafe and we had a wonderful time!”
Puerto Vallarta scuba review covering sites, costs, gear, safety, timing, marine life, and whether this PADI excursion is worth booking.
“The water was WAY too cold for the wetsuit thickness provided. Couldn't enjoy the first dive and skipped the second because I wasn't able to warm up during the surface interval! Also visibility wasn't very good... a so-so dive”
Try scuba in Isla Mujeres with PADI instruction, MUSA statues, Manchones Reef, turtles, rays, and two guided underwater sessions.
“This was my first time scuba diving and it was so awesome. I found it so relaxing and meditative. One of the best parts was this amazing sea turtle we found that I took pictures with. It was also super easy to do. I would recommend this to anyone always.”
Review of PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Riviera Maya, with pool training, reef boat trip, costs, pickup details, and practical tips.
“Great experience for the beginner. Our guide, Toby, was very knowledgeable, and patient. Great time.”
Review of Playa del Carmen’s PADI Discover Scuba experience, with pool training, reef time, price, safety notes, wildlife, and booking advice.
“Terrible experience. The training is for less than an hour and is very rushed. The practice "tank" is actually a 3ft resort pool in which we were taught to breathing and hand signs for about 20 minutes. There was no pool lesson on equalizing pressure etc. We spent more time waiting for the boat to arrive than on the lessons itself. I felt very uncomfortable after the lesson and chose not to go into the ocean. My husband went and within 10ft in the ocean felt ear pain and couldn't complete it. This would've been identified if the practice tank was deeper. We spent a lot of money for nothing...…”
Try scuba in Isla Mujeres without certification, visiting MUSA and Manchones with an instructor, equipment, training, and two boat outings.
“This is a terrific operation. I already have my dive certification and wanted to introduce my kids - 14 and 18 - to diving. We showed up and were greeted by the crew. Our instructor, Nina, did a great job with my kids on the instruction work and then led us to the requisite practice dive at the beach. From there we joined several other dive groups on their boat and headed out for two dives. We were in the water 40 min for each dive and Nina stayed just with us the entire time. She was a great underwater guide and the other dive groups on their boat also…”
Earn your PADI Open Water certification in three to four days with pool training, Cozumel reef boat trips, gear, and hotel pickup.
“I just complete my open water dive course with Esteban here in Cancun and what an experience!”
Try scuba in Playa del Carmen with pool training, expert instruction, and two 40-minute coral reef descents for $169.
“This was an amazing experience. We had Jack as main instructor who was excellent in his scuba instruction with great personality, which made it more memorable. He was assisted by Geovanni (Italian young lady) who consistently assisted in getting our buoyancy down pat. The day started with roughly 1.5 hours of pool instruction, a lunch break and then off to two (2) dives. The two dives were amazing, with aqua blue water and schools of fish, manta rays and reefs. Tough to go back to snorkeling once you've been scuba. Would definitely use them again.”
Pick a coast, a depth or a licence.
