Knowledge development
IncludedPADI Dive Against Debris eLearning / learning materials are included and should be completed before the course dives.
PADI · Specialty
PADI Dive Against Debris in Playa del Carmen
Turn a Playa del Carmen dive into practical ocean action with PADI Dive Against Debris: 1 day, 2 ocean dives, PADI eLearning, rental gear and certification processing included.
Why learn with Xico
PADI 5 Star Dive Center
Professional recreational diving and training from a PADI 5 Star Dive Center.
Runs Even With One Client
This product does not depend on Xico filling a group before it can operate.
Real Dive Center Facilities
A physical dive center with showers, lockers, retail, rental gear, and diver facilities before and after the activity.
Close to the Beach and Boat Pickup
The Playa del Carmen dive center is close to the beach and local boat pickup for simple dive-day logistics.
Your Training Journey
How the course works
Open-water training
1 training dive · Playa del Carmen reefsPADI requires one Dive Against Debris survey/training dive. Xico's one-day sold format includes a second guided Playa del Carmen reef dive.
Course Schedule
Your 1-day course plan
Before the dives Before / morning of the course
eLearning Review & Survey Plan
Review the Dive Against Debris knowledge, survey method, safe-removal decisions, buddy procedures and how the survey information will be recorded.
Dive 1 Playa del Carmen ocean dive
PADI Dive Against Debris Survey Dive
Complete the required PADI survey/training dive: survey the selected area, collect debris only when it is safe to do so and follow the survey procedure with your instructor.
Dive 2 Second Playa del Carmen ocean dive
Additional Guided Reef Dive
Complete a second guided Playa del Carmen reef dive included in Xico's course format. This is an additional Xico dive, not a second PADI-required specialty dive.
After diving After the ocean dives
Sort, Record & Prepare the Survey Data
Sort and record the survey findings and review how Dive Against Debris data is submitted through the PADI AWARE Conservation Action Portal.
Before You Book
Everything you need to start
Included
- PADI Dive Against Debris eLearning / learning materials
- Instructor-led briefing, survey planning and training
- One required PADI Dive Against Debris survey/training dive
- One additional guided Playa del Carmen reef dive
- Standard recreational rental scuba gear
- Tanks and weights for the two-dive course day
- Survey sorting, recording and reporting guidance
- PADI certification processing on successful completion
- Taxes
- Towel and locker at Xico Dive Center
- Drinking water during dive-day operations
Extras / not included
- External physician consultation if medical clearance is required
Requirements
- Minimum age 10
- PADI Junior Open Water Diver, Open Water Diver or qualifying equivalent
- Required diver medical screening
Course details
- Agency
- PADI
- eLearning
- Included
- Training dives
- 1 training dive
- Training location
- Playa del Carmen reefs
- Equipment
- Included
- Materials
- Included
- Availability
- Year-round
- Minimum booking
- Runs with one student
More course details What to bring, training logistics and instructor requirements
What to bring
- Swimsuit
- Dry clothes for after diving
- Certification card or proof of prerequisite certification
- Sunglasses, hat and personal sun protection for surface time
- Required physician medical clearance, if applicable
Training schedule: One-day specialty with eLearning/knowledge review, one PADI Dive Against Debris survey dive, one additional guided Playa del Carmen reef dive, and post-dive survey sorting/reporting.
Open-water logistics: Two ocean dives operate by local boat on suitable Playa del Carmen reefs. The exact survey site is selected according to conditions and operational suitability.
Schedule note: Start dates are available subject to instructor availability, student readiness, weather, port status and operational confirmation.
Certification requirements: Training is conducted and evaluated by an appropriately qualified instructor for the agency and course. Certification is issued only after the applicable course requirements are successfully completed.
Course Details
PADI Dive Against Debris in Playa del Carmen
The PADI Dive Against Debris specialty teaches certified divers how to turn an underwater cleanup into a structured marine-debris survey. You learn how to plan the survey, identify and remove appropriate debris safely, record what you find and prepare the survey information for reporting through PADI AWARE.
A One-Day Xico Course With Two Ocean Dives
PADI Dive Against Debris is a one-dive specialty. Xico adds a second guided Playa del Carmen reef dive, giving you a complete two-dive ocean day. Dive 1 is the required PADI Dive Against Debris survey/training dive. Dive 2 is an additional Xico guided reef dive and is not a second PADI-required specialty dive.
Learn What to Remove — and What to Leave Alone
Responsible debris removal is not simply picking up everything you see. Your instructor covers survey planning, buddy procedures, safe collection decisions and environmental awareness so you can recognize when an item can be removed safely and when it should be left in place.
Turn Your Dive Into Useful Conservation Data
After diving, the survey findings are sorted and recorded so the data can be submitted through the PADI AWARE Conservation Action Portal. The focus is both practical action at the dive site and consistent survey information that contributes to the wider marine-debris program.
Who This Specialty Is For
Xico's scuba format is for certified divers age 10+ who hold PADI Junior Open Water Diver, Open Water Diver or a qualifying equivalent certification. It is a good first specialty for divers interested in conservation and responsible diving, and the required specialty dive can count as an Adventure Dive toward PADI Advanced Open Water when completed under the applicable PADI standards.
Complete Course Setup With Xico
Your Xico course includes the PADI learning materials, instructor-led training, two Playa del Carmen ocean dives, standard recreational rental scuba gear, tanks and weights, survey sorting/reporting guidance, certification processing on successful completion and taxes. Course dates and the exact survey site are confirmed around instructor availability, student readiness, weather and port conditions.
Ready to go?
Check course availability
Tell us your preferred start date, number of students and any questions. The Xico team confirms instructor availability, the training schedule and next steps before your course is booked.
- Direct confirmation from the Xico team
- Instructor and course schedule checked
- Requirements reviewed before training
Prefer WhatsApp? Message Xico →
Good to Know
Questions before you book?
Who can take the PADI Dive Against Debris course?
For Xico's scuba course format, you must be at least 10 years old and hold PADI Junior Open Water Diver, Open Water Diver or a qualifying equivalent certification. Normal diver medical screening and eligibility requirements also apply.
Does PADI Dive Against Debris require two dives?
No. PADI Dive Against Debris is a one-dive specialty. Xico includes a second guided Playa del Carmen reef dive so your course runs as a complete two-dive ocean day. The second dive is an Xico inclusion, not an additional PADI certification requirement.
How long is the course and where do we dive?
Xico runs the course in one day with two ocean dives on suitable Playa del Carmen reefs. The exact survey site and start time are confirmed according to conditions, port status, instructor availability and operational suitability.
What is included in Xico’s Dive Against Debris course?
The complete Xico course includes PADI eLearning/learning materials, instructor-led training, two Playa del Carmen ocean dives, standard recreational rental scuba gear, tanks and weights, survey sorting and reporting guidance, certification processing on successful completion and taxes.
Do we remove every piece of debris we find underwater?
No. Safety and the environment come first. Your instructor helps you decide what can be removed safely and what should be left alone because recovery could injure a diver, damage the reef, disturb marine life or create an entanglement or sharp-object hazard.
What happens to the debris data after the survey dive?
The survey findings are sorted and recorded so the data can be submitted through the PADI AWARE Conservation Action Portal. The standardized survey information contributes to PADI AWARE's marine-debris data program.
Can Dive Against Debris count toward PADI Advanced Open Water?
Yes. PADI describes Dive Against Debris as a one-dive specialty that can count as an Adventure Dive toward PADI Advanced Open Water when completed under the applicable training standards.
Can the specialty count toward PADI Master Scuba Diver?
Yes. PADI states that the Dive Against Debris specialty certification may be credited toward the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating when the diver also meets the other Master Scuba Diver requirements.
Will Xico run my course if I am the only student?
Yes. Xico can run its courses with one booked student, so you do not have to wait for us to fill a group. Your requested start date still needs instructor and operational confirmation.
Can I choose my course start date?
Send us your preferred start date. Xico will check the appropriate instructor, training schedule and any required training logistics before confirming the course. Start dates are flexible, but a website request is not an instant booking confirmation.
Do I need medical clearance for scuba training?
Scuba students complete the required diver medical screening. Depending on your answers, physician approval may be required before in-water training. Any external physician or consultation cost is separate unless a course page explicitly says otherwise.
What happens if weather or a port closure affects course dives?
If weather, sea conditions or a port closure prevent required ocean training, Xico will first try to reschedule the affected training according to safe conditions and availability. Certification is issued only after the required performance requirements are completed.
Your Diving Path
Related courses and next steps
PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Course in Playa del Carmen
Learn how coral reefs work, what threatens them and how to reduce your impact in a 1-day non-diving PADI AWARE course. No scuba certification is required.
2,300 MXN
per person
≈ $135 USD
PADI AWARE Specialist Course in Playa del Carmen
Turn ocean concern into practical action with a 1-day, non-diving PADI AWARE Specialist course covering major marine threats and practical conservation choices.
2,300 MXN
per person
≈ $135 USD
PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Course in Playa del Carmen
Improve weighting, trim, hovering and air use in a 1-day PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course with two ocean dives, rental gear and certification processing.
4,000 MXN
per person
≈ $235 USD