Reef Diving in Playa del Carmen

2-Tank Reef Diving in Playa del Carmen

Our 2-tank local reef dive in Playa del Carmen is the classic ocean diving trip for certified divers. Enjoy short boat rides, colorful Caribbean reefs, professional guides, and the option to dive in the morning or afternoon.

This is the best choice if you want an easy, high-value dive day without losing the whole day to transportation. The boat ride to most local dive sites is usually only 5 to 25 minutes.

Quick Facts

• Dive type: 2 guided ocean dives
• Price: 1800 MXN (≈$97 USD) per person
• Premium rental gear: available for 500 MXN (≈$27 USD)
• Morning option: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Afternoon option: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
• Boat ride: usually 5 to 25 minutes
• Certification: Open Water Diver or higher required
• Dive sites: chosen daily based on conditions and diver level

Why Dive Local Reefs With Xico?

• Short boat rides: spend more time diving and less time traveling.
• Two dive options: morning deep + shallow profile, or afternoon two shallow dives.
• Top-quality rental gear: clean, modern, well-maintained equipment available for divers who need it.
• Professional certified guides: small-group focused, safety-first, and used to matching divers with the right local sites.
• Easy logistics: meet at the dive center, get fitted, walk to the boat, dive, and return.

Morning or Afternoon Reef Dive?

We offer two fixed local reef dive schedules:

• Morning reef dive: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Usually best if you want the option of a deeper first dive followed by a shallower second dive.
• Afternoon reef dive: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM. Usually best if you prefer two shallower dives or want to keep your morning free.

The exact dive sites are chosen daily by the dive team based on weather, current, visibility, port status, marine life activity, certification level, and diver comfort.

Want to understand the local reefs better? See our guide to Playa del Carmen dive sites.

What’s Included

• 2 guided reef dives in Playa del Carmen
• Professional certified dive guide
• All taxes and marina fees
• Insurance
• Water and cookies on the boat
• Locker at the dive center
• Shower and towels at the dive center

Rental equipment is not included in the base price. If you need gear, premium rental equipment is available for 500 MXN (≈$27 USD).

What Can You See?

Playa del Carmen’s local reefs can include coral formations, tropical fish, rays, turtles, moray eels, nurse sharks, swim-throughs, and schools of fish depending on the site and daily conditions.

Marine life is never guaranteed, but local reef diving is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to experience the underwater side of Playa del Carmen.

Who This Dive Is For

This dive is a good fit if:

• You are a certified diver.
• You want a simple 2-tank dive close to Playa del Carmen.
• You want to dive without spending the full day away.
• You want an easy first ocean dive in the area.
• You want to check your comfort before cenotes, Cozumel, or bull shark dives.

If you are certified but have not dived in a long time, we may recommend the PADI ReActivate Refresher Course or an easier local reef plan first.

How to Book

To request availability, send us your preferred date, morning or afternoon option, certification level, last dive date, and whether you need rental gear.

We will confirm the best available option and recommend the right dive plan for your experience level.