Cavern/Cave diving in Akumal or Puerto?

[Dave Lentz]

I'm planning a trip to Akumal or Puerto Aventuras. Can anyone recommend an operator for guided cave/cavern diving in this area? Thanks, D.L.

[newman_diver]

There is no shortage of operators in the area. Cave Heaven in PA, Protec in PDC are 2 that i've either used or were planning on using.

www.advanceddivermexcio.com - Gabriel was my instructor when I did my cave course. Great guy and he can set up a schedule for you.

http://www.xibalbadivecenter.com/english/home.htm located in Tulum. Kim Davidsson was recommended to me by another forum member.

Prices will vary as well as what is included. Figure out where you're staying, what you want to do and how much money you want to spend. No matter who you go with you'll be in for some amazing diving.

Tyler

[Dave Lentz]

I'm looking at a place called..."Gran Bahia Principe Akumal." I think it's about half-way between Akumal and Tulum. D.L.

[newman_diver]

Funny.............I stayed at that complex last year when I was there. I was doing my training through Protec so my wife and I took the Collectivo (public transit) from the highway into town. Our instructor would meet us at the shop and we would travel from there.

A lot of the shops will look after your gear for the duration of your trip. The Collectivo driver's can be fussy about wet gear (may not pick you up). The guide might be able to pick up/drop off at the resort depending on where you will be diving. The resort is in between so you are going to have to travel either way. I would email a few of the facilities, tell them your situation and see what they have to say.

Depending on how much diving you are planning on doing and who you are travelling with, you may want to consider staying in a hotel closer to where you will be diving. We stayed at the resort the second week while we were doing the course and found with the long dive days we weren't getting the value of the all inslusive resort. PA has condos for rent and there are a few places in Tulum that are supposed to be nice and have reasonable prices.

Sad story about the resort, across the highway they are building/built a golf course and condos. I guess there were a few cenotes on the propety and have since been contaminated from chemicals used on the grass. A shame really.

[FW]

You can't beat Connie LoRe.
http://www.cavedivemexico.com/

[jkaterenchuk]

You would be remiss to not inquire with...beside being guided you will learn alot about cave diving and exploration.

His User ID on here is SMB...look up the post to get an idea.

Steve Bogaerts
steve@aztecdiving.com
www.aztecdiving.com

Where are you located in PA? I am in the Harrisburg area.

John

[DeepSea]

I'm looking at a place called..."Gran Bahia Principe Akumal." I think it's about half-way between Akumal and Tulum. D.L.

Bahia Principe is one of the largest polluters down there. I wouldn't give them a dime. If you stay there, watch out for the turds near the northern part of their beach.

[Dave Lentz]

Bahia Principe is one of the largest polluters down there. I wouldn't give them a dime. If you stay there, watch out for the turds near the northern part of their beach.

Ouch! D.L.

[Me]

You can't beat Connie LoRe.
http://www.cavedivemexico.com/

I second Connie LoRe if you would like to do a whole week of cave diving. She's been diving the area for many many years and was involved in alot of the early exploration. She lives in the area about half the year, spending the other half diving Florida caves.

You will want for nothing, plus she's just a plain good ol' nice person to boot!

[cavedivingwoman]

I'm looking at a place called..."Gran Bahia Principe Akumal." I think it's about half-way between Akumal and Tulum. D.L.

Check out Villa Matisse in Tuluum--small guesthouse, inexpensive, immaculate. We found it through Robbie at Xilbalba dive center. Lourdes is the owner, and she is lovely. You can reach her at shuvinito@yahoo.com. Robbie can set you up with a dive guide (he also dives with Steve Boegarts). Connie LoRe also is excellent.

Please, do not support the big polluters there---the all-inclusive joints that are lining the highway between Akumal and Tulum. There are many small, privately owned businesses that enjoy hosting divers.

Good luck and enjoy,
Barbara