VIP access to the jungle for small groups with our expedition all-terrain vehicles! We can take you to hidden cenotes and dive sites, to dry caves and Mayan ruins way beyond the tourist areas. The ATI Exploration Team is constantly out there, finding new places and expanding our knowledge of the jungle, with the help of the indigenous people of the Yucatan. We can offer you unique experiences on a scale you haven’t experienced before, and the refreshing scent of the deep jungle will stay with you for a very long time :).
We offer the most extensive sidemount and no-mount cave exploration training programs in Mexico, based on our own experience and methodology. Each of our instructors has currently more than a thousand sidemount exploration dives and we are the only team in the world which has been doing exploration dives daily for the last couple of years. The experience we have in long-range sidemount / no-mount cave exploration is incomparable to any other group out there, and this is evident in the quality of training that we offer. We can help open the door to a completely new realm of diving for you.
Each course will be suited to your ability and needs. No two people are the same, we understand how to help YOU become a better diver, and we are sure you will enjoy the experience.
Our cave diving programs are unique. We can offer you what no other dive shop on the Riviera Maya, Mexico can do. Our experience in cave exploration and speleo education makes all the difference.
Our courses are entirely nonsense free. We focus on developing real skills, sound knowledge and genuine understanding of the underwater and cave environment. You will not be waisting your time.
The DivingMexico cave diving school is the only cave diving facility in the Riviera Maya which is entirely funded and is not profit oriented. None of our instructors rely on teaching for income and 100% of the school earnings are put into cave exploration and preservation. This allows us to concentrate on providing training on the highest possible level of excellence. The school maintains the Ixtlan Cave Exploration project which is currently exploring and documenting the longest single entrance underwater cave system in the world – the Ixtlan Cave system. The Ixtlan cave is located on the school’s property and access is restricted only to the members of our ATI Cave Exploration Team and to special guests. Our instructors are all members of the exploration team and are currently among the leading sidemount/no-mount exploration cave divers in the world.
All this, combined with over 20 years of Speleology teaching experience, allows us to offer a level of cave diving education which is unmatched in the industry. We mainly specialize in sidemount and no-mount exploration level programs, but also often do beginner cave diving classes for people affiliated with speleology organizations around the world. Even if you do not have this background, you are still welcome to come and learn this beautiful sport with us, from the basics to the advanced levels. We can proudly say that we provide the best specialized speleology oriented dive training in the Riviera Maya and that we are the best equipped sidemount dive shop on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. You are most welcome to join us.
If you want to meet our team before you decide, you are also welcome to watch the movie “The Unexplored”. It is a documentary about our work and we are sure you will enjoy it quite a lot. Write us for the password 🙂
The Unexplored from ATI Pictures Studio on Vimeo.
As the former owner of the Roke Speleology school in Europe, with 25 years of cave exploration and teaching experience as a Technical Speleology and Emergency Rescue Instructor Trainer and as the exploration team leader on several significant European long-term projects, Ivo is the leader of the ATI Cave Exploration Team and the unique inspiration behind all our work. His passion for exploring the underworld is matched only by his skill as a teacher and mentor. Although he currently teaches exclusively specialized exploration-specific courses to certified cave divers, every aspect of our work is infused with his energy and guidance.
With 15 years of cave exploration and teaching experience in Europe as a Technical Speleology Instructor and member of the Roke team, and currently as an active member of the ATI Cave Exploration Team of the Yucatan with more than 1000 sidemount exploration dives, Deyan is our main technical sidemount cave diving instructor (IANTD). He conducts the full range of all the advanced Tec cave diving courses and his passion for diving and his unique approach to education will help you learn all those things you thought you would never dare to touch. At the same time his attention to detail and his relaxed attitude to life will surely make you appreciate the art of cave diving.
As a PADI Instructor and IANTD Cave Diver and accomplished guide you will find Plamen a great company and inspiration. He teaches all PADI Open Water courses, but many times you can also see him actively guiding certified divers in the caverns and caves of the Yucatan, Mexico. His knowledge of the area, his expertise, gentle character and humor will make your trip enjoyable and fulfilling and you will find his company to be a very fresh experience. The respect he feels for the fragile world of our submerged caves is an inspiration to all of us and his enthusiasm for diving lights up our world.
Nevena is a cave diver, sailer and our constant gentle companion. Taking care of all the mundane and organizational work, humbly present and supportive at all times, our very existence would not be possible without her constant help. Every exploration trip, every journey and every course we make relies on her work and presence behind the scenes. To a friend and a fellow diver, we can not express fully our gratitude and love.
As our Business Manager and excellent companion, Peter has given us his unconditional help and friendship in every endeavor. As a cave diver, mountain guide, sailer, explorer, and adventurer, his experience is enriching our life and brings joy to our soul. Peter has lived around the globe – from India to New Zealand (his last adventure being a 6000km bike trip) and is currently firmly stationed in the Yucatan Jungle in Mexico, overseeing all our projects.
PLEASE NOTE: Below we outline the course duration, prices and requirements for the most popular courses. We offer many more training programs, which can all be tailored and combined according to your personal needs. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Please know that the course durations listed below are the minimum for divers with excellent buoyancy, trim and coordination. They are often achievable, but sometimes we need more time. We will never try to prolong a course for financial gain and will inform our students the moment the need for additional training becomes apparent. Our prices vary a lot, depending on the course requirements, number of participants, etc. If you need a quote, please write us using the form below.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course consists of 3 full days minimum with a minimum of 4 dives. We will aim at proficiency in using the sidemount configuration with major emphasis on trim, buoyancy, safety and perfecting the different kicks. This course is a prerequisite for anyone wishing to progress to the cave diving courses in sidemount. If the back kick (this is often the hardest part) is not perfected during the course duration additional day/days will have to be booked in order for certification to be earned.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course consists of 3 full days minimum with a minimum of 4 cavern dives. We will be working on specific overhead environment procedures, skills and safety drills within the daylight zone. We may require extra days of training depending on the level of student performance.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course consists of 3 full days minimum with a minimum of 4 cave dives plus open water sessions. We will be working on cave diving protocols, skills and safety drills inside the cave. A lot of theory will be taught. We may require extra days of training depending on the level of student performance.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course consists of 5 full days minimum with a minimum of 8 cave dives. We will be working on cave diving protocols, skills and safety drills inside the cave, as well as on complex cave navigation. A lot of theory will be taught. We may require extra days of training depending on the level of student performance.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
This course will be offered if we verify the skill of the interested student in the water and if we feel comfortable doing the whole program in one go. The course itself will take a minimum of 8 to 10 full days with 14 cave dives, open water sessions and a lot of theory. This is a very stressful and demanding program and is suitable only for persons with much diving experience.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
One day of prior theoretical and in-water evaluation is necessary to determine the course details and duration. The absolute minimum will be 12 cave dives with 500 min. of bottom time, which could be done in 6-7 days, however this may not be enough in some cases.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course duration is 2 days. Technical scooters will be used in this course.
Please note that we offer many more PADI courses than what is listed here. Please check the full list in our contact section.
Course Duration: 3 to 6 hours.
Dives: Training and Open Water dive at maximum 12 meters of depth.
Minimum Age: 10 years
Price: USD$150.00
Certification: No.
Course Includes: All necessary SCUBA equipment is included except wetsuit.
Course Duration: 2 days.
Dives: Training and Open Water dive at maximum 12 meters of depth.
Minimum Age: 10 years
Price: USD$270.00
Certification: Yes – PADI Scuba Diver.
Course Includes: Certification fee, gas and all necessary SCUBA equipment is included (except wetsuit).
Course Duration: 4 days.
Dives: Training and Open Water dives at maximum 18 meters of depth.
Minimum Age: 10 years
Price: USD$470.00 per person
Certification: Yes – PADI Open Water Diver.
Included in the price: Manual, certification fee, gas and all necessary SCUBA equipment is included (except wetsuit).
Course Duration: 2-3 days.
Special requirements: Open Water Diver Certification is needed.
Dives: Training and Open Water dives at maximum 30 meters of depth.
Minimum Age: 12 years
Price: USD$400.00 per person
Certification: Yes – PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.
Included in the price: Manual, certification fee, gas and all necessary SCUBA equipment is included (except wetsuit).
Course Duration: 1 day.
Special requirements: No prior certification needed
Dives: No dives are done in this course.
Price: USD$200 per person
Certification: Yes – PADI EFR
Included in the price: Manual and certification fee.
Course Duration: 4-5 days.
Special requirements: PADI (Jr.) Adventure Diver and EFR Certification needed.
Minimum Age: 12 years
Price: USD$500 per person
Certification: Yes – PADI Rescue Diver
Included in the price: Manual, certification fee, gas and all necessary SCUBA equipment is included (except wetsuit).
Course Duration: 1 day.
Special requirements: PADI (Jr.) Open Water Diver or equivalent
Minimum Age: 12 years
Price: USD$170 per person (USD$250 per person if two dives are included).
Certification: Yes – PADI Enriched Air Diver
Included in the price: PADI Materials and certification fee are included.
Course Duration: 2 days.
Special requirements: PADI Adventure Diver or equivalent
Dives: 4 deep dives
Minimum Age: 15 years
Price: USD$260 + UDS$38 for the PADI Manuals.
Certification: Yes – PADI Deep Diver
Included in the price: Certification fee, gas and all necessary SCUBA equipment is included (except wetsuit).
Course Duration: 3-4 days.
Special requirements: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent
Dives: 4 dives minimum
Minimum Age: 18 years
Price: USD$600
Certification: Yes – PADI Cavern Diver
Included in the price: Certification fee, gas and all necessary SCUBA equipment is included (except wetsuit).
Course Duration: 2 days.
Special requirements: PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent
Dives: 4 dives
Minimum Age: 15 years
Price: USD$250
Certification: Yes – PADI Sidemount Diver
Included in the price: Certification fee, gas and all necessary SCUBA equipment is included (except wetsuit).
Course Duration: 7 days.
Special requirements: Minimum of 2 students are required for this course. Each student must have Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certification, as well as current EFR and a minimum of 40 logged dives. 60 logged dives are required for certification.
Dives: 6 dives or more, depending on the instructor requirements.
Minimum Age: 18 years
Price: USD$800 per person + Crew Pack – USD$285, PADI Application fees are NOT included.
Certification: Yes – PADI Divemaster
Included in the price: Gas and all necessary SCUBA equipment is included (except wetsuit).
Prerequisites:
Course details:
Mandatory one day in-water evaluation of student skills and mindset before the course is confirmed. The minimum duration of this course is 4 days.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course duration is 3 days. Prior in-water evaluation is needed before commitment.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course duration is 3 days. Prior in-water evaluation is needed before commitment.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course duration is 3 days. Prior in-water evaluation is needed before commitment.
These special Cave Exploration Programs are led by Ivo and are offered only to full cave divers with significant experience and perfect skill set. The “Methods of Underwater Cave Exploration” is an all-encompassing program, which includes No-mount exploration skills, Survey, and basic Speleology & Cave Geology education and training. Advanced Sidemount, Multi-Stage, No-Mount and DPV certification and skills are mandatory for this program, and extensive in-water evaluation of the participants will be done before commitment. This program includes actual cave exploration. The other programs are more accessible, but still require high-end cave diver certification. Upon successful completion of any of these programs a special ATI/DM certification will be issued and the participant will be eligible to join certain exploration events by the ATI Cave Exploration Team.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
This is an all-encompassing program which includes the whole skill set for underwater cave exploration – from cave geology and speleology training to survey and specific no-mount exploration skills. Mandatory one day in-water evaluation of student skills and mindset is needed before the course is confirmed. The duration of this course is 15-20 days, additional days may be needed to complete the program.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course duration is 3 days. Prior in-water evaluation is needed before commitment.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course duration is 3 days. Prior in-water evaluation is needed before commitment. The course includes in-water survey skills, as well as survey software training.
Prerequisites:
Course details:
The course duration is 5 days. No diving is done during the course, but a lot of theory, jungle trekking and SRT exercises will be done. Participants need to be in good physical shape and prepared for intensive physical loads.
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