Playa Scuba

Avenida 15 con calle 4, Centro, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Hours

Open daily 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Costs

Below are general costs of visiting Scuba Playa:

Playa Del Carmen Dive: 2,200 MXN
DSC (2 dives): 3,200 MXN
Cenote dive: 3,200 MXN
Bull Shark Dive: 4,100 MXN

Prices are subject to change; check their website for updates.

+52 984 125 1647

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About

Whether you're a certified diver, seeking rentable gear, or looking for reef or cenote tours, Playa Scuba is your go-to in Playa del Carmen.

Since its opening in 2003, it is known for its exceptional service, expert-guided tours, and commitment to safety. Located blocks from Quinta Avenida, Playa Scuba has become a hub for divers and snorkelers eager to explore Yucatan's marine life, reefs, and cenotes.

Playa Scuba is a recognized PADI dive shop, the world's leading scuba training organization. This ensures your tour is led by seasoned professionals devoted to providing memorable dives for anyone's experience level.

Additionally, all dives use state-of-the-art equipment and include a thorough pre-dive briefing. Such measures make diving safe and enjoyable.

When it comes to dives, Playa Scuba has something for everyone! Locations near Playa del Carmen and Cozumel offer shallow and deep dives. Other options include exploring nearby cenotes and even bull shark feeding dives!

If you've ever considered getting certified, Playa Scuba has you covered! From Discover Scuba Diving to open water or divemaster certification, there’s a course for you.

The shop's downtown location is near other sought-after destinations like Museo Frida Kahlo and Parque Los Fundadores. After your dive, nearby eateries like Harry's and Señor Frog's make planning a celebratory meal simple.

Playa Scuba is an unmissable stop in Playa del Carmen, whether taking your first underwater breath or exploring a cenote.

Playa Scuba: Fun Facts & Cool Features

Let’s start with an important feature: this is a 5-star PADI facility. Such recognition means that the shop sets a high standard in training and safety.

Another noteworthy feature includes the tours mentioned above. Cenote dives offer a rare opportunity to explore these freshwater sinkholes for an otherworldly experience. Cenotes are scattered across the Yucatan, with Cenote Chaak Tun near Playa Del Carmen and Two Eyes Cenotes close to Tulum. Unlike cave diving, the surface (roof) is open, allowing sunlight to slice through the clear water, revealing the limestone formations. The beams of light create a fantastic light show, and with visibility ranging from 100-200 feet, it’s a sensory experience of a lifetime.

Along with reef dives for varying skill levels, Playa Scuba's Bull Shark Dive is for divers with at least 20 dives. The shark-feeding adventure is only available from November through March and promises an adrenaline-pumping experience!

If you’re not a certified diver, there are several options to consider. First, there are snorkeling trips, which range from shallow reef floats to exploring cenotes. Second is the Discover Scuba Diving course for those interested in diving without certification. Under the guidance of a PADI professional, DSC gets you succinctly from land to underwater to explore Mexico’s reefs.

The center also excels in customer-centric services. Divers can look forward to small group sizes, ensuring personalized attention. Playa Scuba also offers custom packages, so reach out if you don’t see a tour you like.

Playa Scuba’s well-maintained, top-tier equipment removes the hassle of preparing or carting gear on your flight. The shop is also ecocentric, doing its part to protect reefs.

A trip to this part of the Riviera Maya isn't complete without a visit to Playa Scuba. Dynamic tours, expert instruction, and top-notch gear make it a must-do in Playa Del Carmen.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step directions in Playa del Carmen to Playa Scuba:

Head west on Calle 14 Norte toward 10th Avenue.
Turn left onto 10th Avenue. Continue for 500 meters.
Turn right onto Calle 10 Norte.
Playa Scuba is located a short walk from the corner at Calle 10 Norte & 1A Avenida Norte.
Address: Calle 10 Nte. entre Avenida 1ra y Playa, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico.

Local Tips

Book in advance to secure your preferred experience.
Don’t forget a rash guard and biodegradable sunscreen to protect yourself and the reefs.
Parking can be tricky in the area, so consider walking or taking a taxi if you’re staying nearby.
The best visibility is usually in the morning, so plan accordingly.

Location

Avenida 15 con calle 4, Centro, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to get to Playa del Carmen?

The Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the closest international airport to Playa del Carmen, at about an hour away. The Cancun airport serves major international airlines from across the world, making it one of the most accessible options for flying to the Yucatan. From Cancun, travelers need to take a transfer to Playa del Carmen, generally via a pre-booked shuttle, ride share, or the most popular and economic ADO Bus service directly from the airport.

In addition, the Tulum International Airport (TQO), in operation since March, 2024, is 2 hours from Playa del Carmen. There are more than 10 domestic and international flight currently flying to Tulum, with direct flights from more than 15 cities.

What is there to do in Playa del Carmen?

Most activities in Playa del Carmen revolve around the area’s gorgeous beaches and aqua blue waters, where fishing, diving and snorkeling are excellent year-round. Playa also plays host to several international events, including the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival and Carnival. If you’re interested in local nightlife, there are many trendy rooftop clubs where you can dance all night and party in style. Enjoy your time in Playa with this list of things to do:

Shop, wine, dine and people watch on La Quinta Avenida
Visit the ruins and unspoiled beaches of Tulum
Enjoy a variety of water sports on Playacar beach
Swim, snorkel or dive in the deep blue Cenotes (natural sinkholes)
Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal Bay
Revel in the wild stage shows at Coco Bongo nightclub
Take a boat trip to Cozumel Island
Zip-lining, swimming and cave diving at XPlor Adventure Park
Explore the beautiful caves of Rio Secreto
Go cave or wreck diving
Take a romantic sunset sail aboard a luxury catamaran

Are the beaches in Playa del Carmen swimmable? What are the most popular?

Yes! The expansive shoreline stretching along Playa del Carmen offers several family-friendly spots along over two miles of soft sandy beaches. Top beaches include the quieter Punta Esmeralda on the northeast end of town, as well as the more lively Playa Mamitas, and the main beach just blocks from the popular la Quinta shopping area. There are numerous access points to the central beach.

Calle 10 Beach

Revel in the beauty of the Caribbean’s stunning turquoise waters at Calle 10 Beach – another hot spot for sun lovers. This enticing stretch of shoreline is perhaps most famous for its abundance of trendy beach clubs — chic venues where you can enjoy live music while sipping on a frosty drink. Zenzi, El Pirata and Lido are among the area’s favored places to hang out. With most visitors patronizing the clubs, the rest of the beach is practically empty, so if you crave a quiet day by the surf, Calle 10 is an excellent option.

Mamita’s Beach

Mamita’s is arguably the liveliest of all Playa del Carmen beaches, drawing a younger crowd of party-loving 20-somethings. This beautiful, wide beach is the site of the annual BPM music festival and features two popular beach clubs that serve up delicious food, drinks and entertainment from the world’s top DJs. If you’re interested in watersports, this is the place to be. You’ll find Jet Ski and banana boats for rent, and there are parasailing and catamaran tours on offer.

Is Playa del Carmen safe?

Mexico’s Mayan Riviera is one of the most visited parts of the country, welcoming millions of visitors each year. As a top tourist destination, local safety measures help ensure peace of mind for travelers while enjoying the area’s beaches and historic sites. In general, visitors to Playa del Carmen are encouraged to exercise caution while traveling, and stick to well-lit areas after the sun has gone down.

Is seaweed an issue in Playa del Carmen?

Seaweed (sargassum) is a natural occurrence and tends to peak on some of the beaches in the Playa del Carmen area during the summer months. Since the arrival of seaweed is unpredictable, this can happen as early as April or extend through August. Seaweed is generally cleaned off the beaches quickly, while some beaches may have more seaweed than others. It’s also worth noting that not every beach gets seaweed.

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?

Winter is the peak season in Playa del Carmen, with great weather and clearer beaches (from seaweed), and more people. Travelers can expect hot and humid weather along the Mayan Riviera during the summer, with July being the warmest. Similarly, the rainy season on the Yucatan peninsula generally extends from June thru early October, with frequent though brief showers. Summer months are less crowded, though visitors can expect more seaweed on area beaches.