★★★★★
Very well run centre with own dive shop. Right off the beach. Plenty of activities to choose from. Cenote,sharks,reef,wreck. My favourite was shark feeding. It was just amazing. Thumbs up from me.
Certified Divers
Bull Shark Feeding Dive in Playa del Carmen
Xico’s closest and most intense seasonal bull shark experience: one controlled feeding dive at roughly 24 m / 80 ft with full recreational rental gear included. Divers with 25 logged dives or fewer must complete a check dive first; every diver is screened before confirmation.
Why choose Xico for this dive
PADI 5 Star Dive Center
Professional recreational diving and training from a PADI 5 Star Dive Center.
Diver Screening Before Shark Dives
Certification, recent experience, logged dives, buoyancy control and comfort at depth are reviewed before confirming a bull shark dive. Divers with 25 logged dives or fewer must complete a check dive before the shark site; divers with more than 25 logged dives still go through normal suitability screening.
Honest Wildlife Expectations
Bull sharks are wild animals. Xico does not guarantee sightings and bases recommendations on recent shark activity, conditions, port status and safety rather than promising an encounter that cannot be controlled.
Real Dive Center Facilities
A physical dive center with showers, lockers, retail, rental gear, and diver facilities before and after the activity.
The experience
Xico's Closest and Most Intense Bull Shark Dive
The Feeding Dive is for certified divers who want the strongest shark-focused encounter we offer. A controlled feeding setup can bring the bull sharks closer than a normal observation dive, while the group remains in a fixed position and follows strict instructions.
This is not a beginner attraction, a casual reef dive, or an opportunity to chase wildlife. The experience is powerful because the sharks are close and the dive plan is highly structured.
One Tank, One Purpose
The trip is built around a single objective: screening, briefing, descent, safe positioning, the supervised feeding encounter, and a controlled ascent. If you prefer a non-feeding experience and a second reef dive, choose the Bull Shark Observation Dive instead.
Check-Dive Rule and Screening
Open Water certification or higher is required. If you have 25 logged dives or fewer, Xico requires a check dive before the shark site. With more than 25 logged dives, the automatic check-dive requirement does not apply, but Xico still reviews recent experience, buoyancy, comfort at depth and your ability to remain calm around large animals before confirming the dive.
Wild Sharks, Honest Expectations
Xico's scheduled bull shark operating season is November 1 through March 31. Bull sharks are wild animals and individual sharks can still be seen outside that operating season. Feeding can increase the chance of a close encounter, but sightings are never guaranteed. Shark presence, weather, visibility, current, port status and operational conditions can change every dive.
Simple logistics
How it works
Diver Screening at Xico
Confirm certification, recent experience, depth comfort and buoyancy. Divers with 25 logged dives or fewer must complete a check dive before the shark site; all divers remain subject to suitability screening.
Shark and Safety Briefing
Review the feeding setup, group position, hand placement, behavior, ascent plan, and emergency procedures.
Boat to Shark Point
Walk to the nearby boat pickup and travel to the seasonal shark site.
Controlled Descent
Descend with the guide to the planned position at roughly 24 m / 80 ft.
Feeding Encounter
Remain in position while trained professionals manage the setup and the guide monitors the group.
Ascent and Return
Complete the controlled ascent and return to Xico Dive Center.
Before you book
Plan your dive
Included
- 1 Bull Shark Feeding Dive
- Full recreational rental gear
- Professional guide and shark briefing
- All taxes and marina fees
- Water and cookies on the boat
- Locker at the dive center
- Shower and towels at the dive center
Extras / not included
- Check dive when required before approval for the shark dive
Requirements
- Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.
- More than 25 logged dives, or a successful required check dive if you have 25 logged dives or fewer
- Good buoyancy and comfort at approximately 24 m / 80 ft.
- Recent diving experience and calm behavior around large marine life.
- Ability to remain in position and follow the briefing exactly.
Key details
- Meet at
- Xico Dive Center, Playa del Carmen
- Availability
- Seasonal
- Nitrox
- Complimentary for Nitrox-certified divers on suitable dive profiles, subject to availability.
- Shark format
- Controlled feeding dive
More trip details What to bring, check-in and departure information
What to bring
- Certification card
- Dive log or approximate logged-dive history
- Swimsuit
- Dry clothes for after the dive
- Camera only if you can use it without losing awareness or control
Arrival / check-in: Meet at 08:45 for screening, paperwork, rental setup, and the shark briefing. Exact timings can change with the seasonal operating schedule and conditions.
Boat / transport: This is a one-tank local shark-focused boat dive. Port status, weather, visibility, current, shark activity, and guide judgment determine whether it operates.
Departure details: The normal meeting time is 08:45. Exact operating days and timing depend on the seasonal boat schedule, port status, shark activity, weather, and safety conditions.
Ready to go?
Check availability
Tell us your preferred date and diver details. The Xico team confirms the exact trip before anything is booked.
- Direct confirmation from the Xico team
- Diver level and trip fit checked
- Exact trip confirmed before booking
Prefer WhatsApp? Message Xico →
Good to Know
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Bull Shark Feeding Dive only one tank?
This is a focused shark experience rather than a full two-dive reef day. The schedule is built around the controlled feeding setup, diver briefing, descent, positioning, shark encounter, and return. Choose the Observation Dive if you prefer a non-feeding option with a second reef dive.
How close do the bull sharks come during the feeding dive?
The feeding setup can bring sharks much closer than a normal wildlife observation dive, but distance and behavior cannot be guaranteed. Divers remain in the assigned position and never chase, touch, block, or attempt to interact with the sharks.
What happens during the Bull Shark Feeding Dive?
After screening and a detailed briefing, the group travels to the shark site, descends to the planned position at roughly 24 m / 80 ft, and remains controlled while trained professionals manage the feeding setup. The guide controls positioning, time, ascent, and response to conditions.
Should I choose the Feeding Dive or the Observation Dive?
Choose Feeding for the closest, most intense, one-tank shark-focused experience. Choose Observation for a non-feeding encounter and a complete two-tank trip with a local reef dive. Both require certification, recent comfort at depth, and serious compliance with the briefing.
Are bull shark sightings guaranteed?
No. Bull sharks are wild animals and sightings can never be guaranteed. During the season the chances can be good, but shark movement, weather, visibility, current, port status and local conditions can affect every dive. We give honest information based on recent activity before confirming the trip.
What if I have 25 logged dives or fewer?
A check dive is required before the bull shark site if you have 25 logged dives or fewer. The guide uses it to assess buoyancy, comfort, air control and your ability to follow the shark-dive plan. With more than 25 logged dives, the automatic check-dive requirement does not apply, but Xico still screens certification, recent experience and diver suitability before confirmation. Passing a check dive is not automatic approval; the guide makes the final suitability decision.
Is the Bull Shark Feeding Dive safe?
Bull shark feeding is not risk-free and is not treated like a casual reef dive. Risk is managed through strict diver screening, suitable conditions, a detailed briefing, controlled positioning, professional guide judgment, and disciplined behavior at depth. Divers must remain calm, follow every instruction, and never chase, touch, block, or provoke the sharks.
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