About Us
La Chula is our 33 foot fully customized Panga boat with a canopy covering all seating areas. The powerful 140hp Suzuki 4 Stroke twin engines with Lean Burn Technology Equipment get us to the atoll quickly and safely.
We are happy to make hotel and lodging recommendations for you. From Mahahual, you may also want to explore the ruins and see the monkeys play at the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins or visit the Bacalar lagoon of seven colors. Mahahual dive days also leave plenty of time to relax on the beach and enjoy the local restaurants and beach clubs.
For dive groups, we can also recommend a local trip coordinator!
Meet Our Diving Team
Emory
PADI Staff Instructor / Owner
Kat
SSI Instructor
Antonio
SDI Instructor
Casa Rana is a perfect home away from home for dive groups - offering private rooms for up to 8 people. This beautiful home is conveniently located and set up for divers. Click the frog to see more photos.
Amigos Del Mar Policies:
1. Reservations will be confirmed in writing following receipt of a deposit.
2. Payments can be made via bank transfer, credit card, Wise, and PayPal. Further information will be provided upon booking. Credit card payments will incur a 4% service charge.
3. Cancellations due to port closure due to weather or at the discretion of our diving team will result in a 100% refund. Dive trips require a minimum number of participants. We do everything we can to avoid canceling dives due to a lack of participants. If we do need to cancel a dive, we will do our best to reschedule. If that is not possible, we will provide a 100% refund. Customer cancellation will result in the loss of payments made.
4. Divers must hold the appropriate certification for diving. Refunds are not provided if dives cannot be completed due to a lack of certification. If a diver does not comply with safety standards or national park regulations or is deemed unsafe, the dive guide can determine that they should not be allowed to dive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why dive with Amigos Del Mar Mahahual?
We focus on small groups, personalized service, and safe, relaxed diving on the beautiful Mahahual reef. Our team loves introducing divers to the Caribbean waters of Mahahual, whether it’s your first dive or your hundredth.
What is diving like in Mahahual?
Mahahual offers warm Caribbean water, healthy coral reefs, colorful marine life, and generally calm conditions. Divers commonly see three species of sea turtles, rays, tropical fish, eagle rays in season, and occasionally nurse sharks.
What is Banco Chinchorro?
Banco Chinchorro is a massive offshore coral atoll and marine reserve known for pristine reefs, shipwrecks, crocodiles, and abundant marine life. It is considered one of the best dive destinations in Mexico. We have exclusive permits to visit Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve. There is a daily fee of $360 pesos for Mexican residents and $725 for international visitors.
Do I need to be certified to dive?
Yes, certified diving requires an Open Water certification or higher. If you are not certified yet, we offer Discover Scuba Diving experiences and certification courses.
Can beginners dive with Amigos Del Mar?
Absolutely. We work with first-time divers regularly and love helping new divers feel comfortable underwater.
What scuba courses do you offer?
Discover Scuba Diving
Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water
Rescue Diver
Divemaster
Continuing education and specialty courses
Which agencies do you teach through?
Course availability may vary, but we work with internationally recognized agencies such as PADI, SSI, and SDI.
How long does the Open Water course take?
Typically 2–3 days depending on scheduling, weather, and student pace.
Can I complete eLearning before arriving?
Yes. Completing eLearning ahead of time allows you to spend more vacation time in the water.
Do you offer Divemaster internships or long-term training?
Yes. We sometimes offer Divemaster programs for candidates interested in professional scuba training and gaining real dive shop experience.
How many dives are included in a normal trip?
Most local dive trips include two-tank morning dives, but private and customized options are available. Banco Chinchorro trips are often 3 tanks.
Do you offer snorkeling trips?
Yes. Snorkeling is excellent in Mahahual, and we also offer snorkeling trips to Banco Chinchorro when conditions allow.
Is Banco Chinchorro always available?
No. Trips depend heavily on weather, wind, and port conditions. Safety always comes first. A minimum of 6 divers is needed. If you don't have six divers, we can coordinate with another small group.
What is the best time of year to dive in Mahahual?
Diving is available year-round. Conditions are often calmest in spring and summer, though every season offers unique marine life and experiences.
What water temperature should I expect?
Water temperatures are generally warm year-round, usually around 78–84°F (26–29°C).
What should I bring?
Towel
Reef-safe sunscreen
Certification card (if certified)
Dry clothes
Sunglasses and hat
Non-plastic water bottle
Is equipment included?
Rental equipment is available and included.
Do you provide tanks and weights?
Yes, tanks and weights are included for certified divers.
Are your instructors certified?
Yes. Our dive professionals are trained and certified through recognized scuba training organizations.
Is scuba diving safe?
Scuba diving is very safe when proper training and procedures are followed. We prioritize safety briefings, equipment checks, and conservative diving practices.
What if I haven’t been diving in a long time?
We may recommend a refresher dive or scuba review before deeper or more advanced dives.
What animals might I see while diving?
Depending on conditions and season, you may see: loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles, rays, lobsters, eels, tropical reef fish, and coral formations and sponges.
Are loggerhead turtles found near Mahahual?
Yes, loggerhead turtles are among the sea turtle species found in the Caribbean waters around Mahahual and the Costa Maya region.
Do you support reef conservation?
We encourage responsible diving practices and reef-safe tourism to help protect the marine ecosystem around Mahahual and Banco Chinchorro. Your national park fees also support reef conservation.
How do I book a dive or course?
You can contact us directly through the website or social media to check availability and schedule your dives.
Should I reserve in advance?
Yes, especially during holidays, cruise ship days, and high season.
Do you accommodate cruise ship visitors?
Yes. We work with many cruise visitors and can help coordinate timing with ship schedules.
Can families or non-divers join?
Absolutely. We can often arrange snorkeling for non-diving family members.