About Us

Located in Playa del Carmen, Xico Dive Center is one of the best dive centers and fastest-growing in the area. We have been operating for almost two years and have already built a strong community and shared many great adventures with our divers. As a certified PADI Dive Center, we offer scuba diving on Playa del Carmen reefs, the Cozumel walls, the beautiful cenotes of the Riviera Maya, and exciting wreck dives for those who want to explore sunken ships. We also offer snorkeling tours in Playa del Carmen, sunrise paddle-boarding tours, beginner programs like Discover Scuba Diving, and full Open Water Diver certification courses. For certified divers, we provide specialty courses, bull shark diving (seasonal), night diving, and the chance to explore the ocean with dive scooters (DPV). We are the only dive center in the area offering ocean dives with scooters (DPV). For those looking to continue their education, we offer Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and professional-level Divemaster courses. We pride ourselves on our professional service, using new, high-quality gear, and building a community of ocean lovers, travelers, and adventure seekers. Our experienced team works hard to make every dive safe, easy, and fun. At Xico Dive Center, we are more than just a dive shop—we are a family. When you dive with us, you are welcomed into our close community where every diver is treated with care, respect, and friendship. We are passionate about the ocean, dedicated to our students and divers, and excited to share unforgettable underwater experiences with you.

Dive Center & Facilities

Locker Room: Secure storage for your belongings.

Gear Rental & Cleaning: Rental room plus cleaning tubs.

Showers & Changing: Fresh showers, changing rooms, towels.

Outdoor Seating: Relax, share stories, attend briefings.

Office & Refreshments: Paperwork area with free water & coffee.

Repair Room: On-site gear maintenance and fixes.

Our Staff

Santiago – Head Instructor

Originally from Tres Lomas, Argentina, Santiago brings passion, expertise, and a great sense of humor to everything he does. A certified expert in multiple diving specialties and recently named an Elite Instructor by the PADI Foundation. Santiago is fluent in Spanish and English (and knows just enough Portuguese to get a smile!).

Paty – Dive Instructor

Originally from Toluca, Mexico, Paty brings warmth, heart, and a deep love for the ocean to every dive. Bilingual in Spanish and English, as one of our dedicated female instructors, Paty is not only certified in various specialties but also deeply committed to empowering others through diving.

Morgan – Dive Instructor

Originally from Misiones, Argentina, Morgan is a skilled instructor who speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese, making him great at connecting with divers from all backgrounds. In addition to teaching, he handles many of our equipment repairs and regulator servicing.

Lukas – Divemaster

From Arica, Chile, Lukas is a dedicated and passionate Divemaster with a strong connection to the ocean. Bilingual in Spanish and English, he brings energy and focus to every dive. His adventurous spirit and love for the sea make him an unforgettable part of any dive experience.

Cirilo – Captain

Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, Cirilo brings his vast experience and love for the ocean to our team. With 18 years of working at sea, he is passionate about fishing and diving. Cirilo speaks both Spanish and English. His dedication and charisma make every trip out on the water safe, fun, and memorable.

Piro – Tanquero

Originally from Cuba, Piro brings his deep love for the ocean to everything he does. Always ready with a smile, Piro is here to help with tanks, gear, or anything else you might need. His kindness, experience, and positive energy make him an essential part of our team.

Henry – Captain

Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, Henry is our youngest captain and a true spark of energy on the team. With three years of experience navigating the seas, he brings both skill and a fun-loving spirit to every trip. Henry has a true love for boats and everything about life on the water.

Faustino – Captain

Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, Faustino brings over 21 years of experience working at sea to our team. A passionate fisherman and skilled navigator, he knows the waters around Playa del Carmen like the back of his hand. Fausto speaks both English and Spanish, making it easy for him to connect with everyone on board.

Geremias – Captain

From Yucatán, Geremias has 35 years of experience as a captain and knows the ocean like no one else. He loves both fishing and diving, and his calm and skilled presence makes every trip memorable. Fluent in Spanish and Mayan, Geremias combines his deep local knowledge with a true passion for the sea.

Mario – Cenote Guide

Originally from Campeche, Mexico, Mario is a true pioneer of cenote diving with over 30 years of guiding experience. His deep knowledge of the cenotes, paired with his calm presence, kindness, and great sense of humor, make every dive unforgettable. Mario speaks both English and Spanish, and always makes sure divers feel safe, relaxed, and inspired.

Tiah – Office Manager

Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Tiah keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she has been visiting Playa del Carmen her whole life and has a deep passion for the ocean. If you need help with bookings, information, or anything related to the dive center office, Tiah is the person to talk to.

Our Boats

Meet Julia

We use Julia for our private snorkel tours and smaller diving trips in Playa del Carmen. She’s a great choice for a fun and smooth day out on the water. Julia is our 25-foot Argo boat, powered by a strong Suzuki 140 engine. She is fast, safe, and easy to ride. Julia is slightly covered to give some shade from the sun, and diving trips from her are done using a back roll entry.

Meet Leia

We use Leia for our main diving tours in Playa del carmen. She is a big and comfortable 36-foot boat, powered by two strong Yamaha 300 engines. The boat is partially covered to give some shade from the sun, and most dives from Leia are done with a giant stride entry. She’s also a great choice for large private groups looking for a safe and fun day on the water.

Meet Fräulein

We use Fräulein for our private snorkelling tours in Playa del Carmen. She is a light, easy-to-handle 26-foot Imenza boat, powered by a reliable Yamaha 115 engine. Fräulein is slightly covered to provide some shade from the sun and has comfortable cushions for a more relaxed ride. She offers a smooth and quiet experience, perfect for exploring the water at an easy pace.

Our Trucks

Chevrolet Colorado

Enjoy a smooth ride in our Chevrolet Colorado, built for comfort and ease. With plenty of space, this truck makes your ride simple and comfortable. It’s our main truck for cenote tours, so divers can travel to and from their destination safely and comfortably. This truck has comfortable leather seats and is great for diving trips. It has plenty of room for gear, tanks, and coolers, making the ride easy and comfortable.

Chevrolet Cheyenne

“Check out our Chevrolet Cheyenne, also known as the "Monster Truck" or "Panza" at Xico Dive Center. This powerful truck is built to handle any road without a problem. Sometimes used for our cenote tours, this truck has comfortable leather seats and is great for diving trips. It has plenty of room for gear, tanks, and coolers, making the ride easy and comfortable.

The Story of the Name Xico Dive Center

The name Xico comes from the Aztec word Xicohténcatl, which meant someone who was brave, strong, and fast. It referred to a warrior who protected others and faced challenges without fear. That name carries deep meaning and still inspires us today.

When we founded Xico Dive Center, we chose the name because we believe in those same values. Diving isn’t just about going underwater—it’s about exploring with courage, moving with confidence, and respecting the ocean and its creatures.

At Xico Dive Center, we want every dive to feel like an adventure. Whether you’re new to diving or already certified, we guide you with care, knowledge, and a deep love for the sea.

Xico means more than just a name. It means strength, bravery, and connection with nature. That is who we are. That is what we dive for.