OPEN WATER DIVING: Boat/Drift Diving Shore Diving Night Diving Deep Diving (Technical) COZUMEL DAY TRIP: CAVERN & CAVE DIVING: About Diving in Caves & Caverns About Cenotes COURSES: Recreational Technical

OPEN WATER DIVING:  
Water temperatures vary between 26C in winter to 29C during the summer. (79F – 85F) We use a 3mm full or shorty wet suit but we often see people from colder climates who are very comfortable with nothing more than a T-shirt.
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Boat/Drift Diving: 
The boat dock is located in the village center a short 10 minute walk from Brisa Caribe or any of the other Puerto Aventuras rentals that we represent. The reef starts as soon as you leave the marina and continues up and down the coast so you never have a long boat ride to the dive sites. There are 3 main reef systems in front of Puerto Aventuras. The shallow reef, which runs at around 8–10 meters depth (25–33 feet).  The middle reef, at about 15–20 meters depth (50–65 feet), and the outer reef/wall starting around 30–40 meters (100-135 feet), then dropping off well beyond the limits of even the most advanced techie diver.  With the sites being so close, the dive operators normally only go out on single tank dives. If you want to make two dives, you can be dropped off at  a restaurant between dives. Most dives are drift dives in mild to medium strong current.

At the other rentals we represent outside of Puerto Aventuras you will still be very close to diving but need a car to get to the nearest dive shop.  There are dive shops in Akumal, Tankha and Tulum offering both ocean and cenote diving as well as training. 
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Shore Diving: 
You can make shore dives from in front of Brisa Caribe. However, we restrict this to more experienced divers and insist on providing a Dive Master/Guide since the entry/exit, currents and navigation can be tricky at times. If you are planning to do some shore diving, a full wet suit, open heel fins with booties and a pair of gloves, are recommended.
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Night Diving:
At night the ocean looks completely different. Not only does exploring this world through a flashlight change the colors, but many sea creatures are nocturnal and so only come out of hiding at night. You will also discover that some of the fish, which are active during the day, are sleeping at night and so sometimes more approachable. Most of the dive shops require a minimum number of divers to run night diving so check in with them early in the week.
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Deep Diving (Technical)
Ever wanted to try mixed gasses, a rebreather, planned decompression? We will put you together with a very qualified instructor with all the equipment necessary to walk you safely through every step of the learning curve. The deep diving programs he can offer will prepare and lead you on both deep ocean walls and fresh water sink hole dives. With our warm, clear, tropical waters, fabulous cenotes and walls that never end, you will be hard pressed to find a location to experience deep, technical diving any better than this.
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COZUMEL:
 The open water diving in Cozumel is spectacular. Most of the diving is within a National Park so ocean life is greater than you will find on the mainland side. You will also find many coral formations to swim through and much stronger currents because of the island’s position to the trade winds.  With over 100 dive operations running out of Cozumel the level of safety and service varies greatly. We have checked out over 20 operators and come up with a couple we think are safe, competent and fun to dive with.  We are happy to recommend them to our guests.
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CAVERN & CAVE DIVING:
This is something the Yucatan Peninsula is famous for and the main reason we attract divers from around the world. While visiting the Mayan Riviera you must try at least one cavern dive. There are numerous dive sites very close so drive times are usually under a half-hour. The water temperature is normally around 24C (76F). We recommend the use of a full 3mm – 5mm wet suit. (see Area Attractions, Heading South for more information on some of the cenotes.) 


ABOUT DIVING IN CAVES & CAVERNS:  
You may have heard the terms cave and cavern used while discussing diving and are wondering what the difference is. In diving circles, a “cave” is the term used to describe an underground passageway which is flooded. The “cavern” zone is the word used when describing the area within a cave that is visible to natural light and/or no further than 60 meters (200 feet) from some where you can surface and breath air without the aid of scuba equipment. The most obvious difference between diving in open water and in a cave or cavern is the overhead environment. Without the ability to surface any where or any time you choose, safety, planning, navigation and the ability to see where you are going, become of paramount importance. For all of these reasons, additional training and equipment are required when diving in an overhead environment. 

Wanting divers to safely experience the wonders of this underwater world without the rigors and expense of becoming fully cave certified and equipped, the diving community has made the “cavern dive” distinction. In the Mayan Riviera, instructors who are fully cave certified divers, have been trained to lead open water trained divers into the “cavern zone.” These cavern guides in addition to showing you this wonderful underwater world, will provide you with a short safety orientation and briefing on diving in an overhead environment, how not to disturb the cave and the use of lights to communicate. If you are open water certified, have good buoyancy control and are comfortable under water, then you qualify to explore this exciting world under the supervision of a certified cavern guide. 

If you like diving, then you should not miss the opportunity to try a cavern dive. If you really like it you may even want to take a cavern or cave certification course.
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ABOUT CENOTES (say-no-tays)  
Cenotes are doorways to the underground caves and river systems common to this area and therefore very important to the scuba diver wishing to explore this marvelous underworld. Besides being a source of fresh water, many of these were considered sacred to the ancient Mayans who believed that their gods lived within them. Xibalba (she-ball-ba) was the name the Mayans gave to their underworld and the entrance to it was through a cenote. Some Mayans still believe that their god Kukulcan will rise again from the depths of a great cenote. The word cenote is derived from the Mayan word 'Dzonot' which means sacred well. Perhaps the most well known cenote to non-Mayans is “The Sacrificial Well” at Chichen Itza where evidence of human sacrifice has captured our imagination. 

 You may note as you explore the Riviera Maya area of the Yucatan, that there are no surface rivers. All of the fresh water flows from inland to the sea through underground caves or rivers. To understand how this came about, you need to understand a little about the geologic history of the Yucatan. 

At one time the entire Yucatan was under the sea. There is evidence today of this everywhere in the form of dead coral and limestone outcrops.  During the last Ice Age, water levels of the world's oceans were on average 100 meters or 330 feet lower than their present day levels. This receding of the oceans is what exposed the corals and limestone. 

Rain water, as it falls from the sky upon the limestone bedrock, mixes with carbon dioxide to form a weak solution called carbonic acid. As this mixture seeks the water table below the surface, it dissolves the limestone. Over the course of many thousands of years caves and passageways are formed. The same beautiful passageways and formations that one might encounter in a dry cave such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns and halactites, are all present here in the Yucatan Peninsula. The difference, is that most of the ones here are under water.

With the passing of the Ice Age, the planet warmed up, rivers and lakes were created and the oceans eventually rose again until they reached their current level. Some of this additional water migrated beneath the surface and through the porous limestone rock raising the water table and flooding the caves and passageways. 

The actual cenotes or openings are created when the limestone ceiling of the cave collapses, thereby exposing the cavern, or cave chamber to the world. The crystal clear water, stalactites and stalagmites make them beautiful to explore and easy to understand the Mayans respect of them. 

As you head south from Puerto Aventuras there are numerous cenotes scattered along the coast and into the jungle. All of these are interesting, some are beautiful to swim and snorkel in, while others are better suited to visit as a scuba diver on a guided cavern tour or as a fully certified cave diver.

Please remember to help protect the fragile eco system by not wearing sunscreen lotion or mosquito repellent into the waters or touching the formations. You are not allowed, nor should you even contemplate entering a cenote with scuba equipment unless you are with a certified cave or cavern guide.
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COURSES: 
 
RECREATIONAL DIVING


PADI Discover Scuba Diving: 
Designed to permit individuals to experience scuba diving in the ocean under direct supervision. The program requires approx. 1 hour of theory followed by a similar time in the pool learning and demonstrating basic skills prior to entering the ocean for a dive.  Gives a temporary certification valid for 2 weeks, allowing you to dive with an Instructor or Dive Master, to a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet). Min. age 10. Course includes use of all equipment.  

PADI Scuba Diver:
For individuals who do not have the time to complete the full “open water diver certification” but want to begin their training and start diving. Approx. 4 hours of classroom work, plus 4-6 hours of pool work, followed by 2 ocean dives where you demonstrate your skills. Upon successful completion you will receive a permanent certification allowing you to dive to 12 meters (40 feet), under the supervision of an Instructor or Dive Master. Valid for 1 year towards “open water diver certification” Min. age 10.

PADI Open Water Diver:
This is probably the most popular diving course in the world. It will provide you with a permanent certification to dive with a buddy, independent of supervision to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet). A minimum of 31 hours of classroom, pool and open water training is required. If you want to save some your precious holiday time for diving and other activities, the classroom and pool work can be done with your local PADI school who can make a “Direct Referral” to have your open water training completed here. Or you can do the classroom work at home at your own leisure and then do the tests, pool and open water training here with us, which will get you in the water sooner after you arrive. Min. age 15.

PADI Junior Open Water Diver:
The same course curriculum and training as the “open water diver” but available to a Min. age of 10. Restricted to dive under direct supervision of a Dive Master or Instructor and to a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet).  It is recommended that a legal age family member accompany the student by taking the course with them.

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver:
Provides the novice diver with a structured, supervised means to gain additional experience by participating in various underwater tasks that broaden awareness of the environment and diving capabilities. The course is comprised of 5 open water training dives that orient students to fundamentals of advanced diving. Each student is required to complete a dive that focuses on underwater navigation and deep diving, and is then given a selection of electives from which to chose 3 specialized dive activities (night diving, boat diving, multilevel diving, drift diving, peak performance buoyancy, search and recovery, photography, underwater naturalist, etc.) Prerequisite of “PADI open water diver or equivalent”.  Minimum of 15 hours of training including theory, some pool work and 5 open water dives focusing on the various specialized diving activities. Min age 10 with depth restriction, Min age 15 without the restriction.

PADI Rescue Diver:
Designed to develop the necessary knowledge and skills for individuals to effectively perform diver rescues and assists, manage diving accident situations, render proper first aid and qualify for PADI Dive Master training. A prerequisite of “PADI advanced open water diver” or equivalent is required. Minimum of 25 hours training including at least 5 open water sessions. Plus “medic first aid” or other sanctioned CPR certification. Min. age 15

Medic First Aid:
Is a basic training course in emergency care and CPR for the diver and non-diver alike. Requires approximately 8 hours.

PADI Adventure Dives/Specialties: 
 Photography, Boat, Equipment, Underwater Naturalist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Night, Deep, Wreck, Enriched Air etc.

PADI Dive Master: Pre requisite of “PADI rescue diver” or equivalent. Plus proof of 20 dives or more to begin the course and a minimum of 60 dives to complete the course. Plus proof of CPR and First Aid Training within the past 36 months AND clearance from Medical Physician stating fitness to dive within past 12 months. Min age 18. Requires a minimum of 50 hours.
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TECHNICAL DIVING: There are many technical diving courses offered in this area with some of the best instructors in their area of specialty. Contact us if you want more information on these courses and/or the instructors providing them.
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Telephone 
+52 984 873-5459 Mexico 
+1 303 325-5800 USA

Email: info@brisacaribe.com