PADI and SDI courses · Beginner
The Open Water Diver course is where diving starts, and Playa del Carmen is one of the easiest places in the world to do it. Three days, 9,000 MXN, everything included: materials, pool sessions, four ocean dives, equipment and the certification fee. You finish certified to 18 metres, for life, anywhere in the world.
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Warm, clear Caribbean water at 26 to 29°C, and turtles on most training dives: the classroom for the course.
Small groups, one instructor from start to finish, no hidden costs. Based in Playacar, Playa del Carmen. Read our Google reviews
The course
The Open Water Diver course teaches the knowledge and skills every diver needs to plan and make dives safely with a buddy, to a maximum depth of 18 metres. At Xibalba Divers MX the focus is on buoyancy control and correct body position from the first pool session, because a diver who is neutral and horizontal from the start dives well for life.
Day by day
The three days need to be consecutive, and you should not fly within 18 to 24 hours of your last dive, so plan the course for the middle of your stay.
Who it is for
Complete beginners, which is exactly who it was designed for. You need no experience, only basic comfort in the water: a relaxed swim and the ability to float. You do not need to be an athlete.
The minimum age is 10 for the junior certification, there is no upper limit, and the course runs in English, German or Spanish. Everyone completes a standard medical questionnaire; some conditions, such as asthma or heart and ear problems, need a doctor’s sign off first, so ask us in advance if you are unsure.
If you have a certification from years ago and want to start again, tell us: a refresher session is often the better fit than the full course.
We teach both agencies. The skills, the 18 metre limit and the worldwide recognition are the same; we confirm the agency, the schedule and any prerequisites with you before you book, so you know exactly how the course fits your travel dates. Theory can be done at home before you arrive, which keeps the three days in Playa short and relaxed.
Key details
Good to know
What divers ask us before they book this course.
No. The course starts from zero: theory first, then skills in shallow water, then four ocean dives. Complete beginners are exactly who it is for.
No, the three days need to be consecutive. Doing the theory online before you arrive is what keeps those days short and relaxed.
Learning materials, pool sessions, four open water dives, full rental equipment and the certification fee. There are no hidden costs.
Both are recognised worldwide and the training is the same; we teach both and confirm the agency with you before you book. If you plan to continue with a particular agency at home, tell us and we match it.
Yes, from age 10 with the junior certification, which limits depth until the diver is older. Parents often certify at the same time.
Everyone completes a standard medical questionnaire. Some conditions, such as asthma or heart and ear problems, need a doctor’s sign off first, so ask us before you travel if you are unsure.
Everything on the reefs and most of the cenotes. Many students go straight to a reef morning, a cenote day or the Advanced course, which takes you to 30 metres.
No. Full rental equipment is included. If you have your own mask, snorkel or fins you are welcome to use them.
Next step
Send your dates and Humann confirms a start date the same day, in English, German or Spanish. Three days later you are a certified diver with the reefs and cenotes of the Riviera Maya in front of you.
Keep exploring
Next courseAdvanced Open WaterFive adventure dives to 30 metres: deep, navigation and buoyancy plus two of your choice.
After the courseFun dives in Playa del CarmenTwo tank reef mornings on the home reefs, 2,200 MXN per diver.
After the courseCenote diving in Playa del CarmenNine guided cavern routes, most of them open to Open Water divers.
