Xcalak offers dozens of fantastic scuba dive sites between 5-30 minutes by boat from the Aventuras Xcalak to Chinchorro Dive Center pier. We have deep and shallow walls, huge tongue and groove formations, "pozas" (blue holes), swim throughs, and much, much more.

Here are a few of our favorite dive sites:

La Poza, 30-80 fsw

Xcalak tarpon This is a unique geographical formation-the only one in the entire Great Maya Reef. Geologists are still uncertain about the development of this trench that runs parallel to shore for about ½ a mile. Like a box canyon, the trench begins shallow then becomes wider and deeper. On one side is a coral wall, on the other a sand hill slopes down from shallow water.

Due to the strong currents and rich nutrients in the water, this is the favorite hang out for lots of big fish. You will drop down the coral wall into a highway of 3-7 foot tarpon, large schools of jack and snapper, and giant midnight blue parrotfish.

Watch along the wall for lobster holes, morays, schools of small fry, black coral, and many other exotic reef inhabitants. We generally end this dive at a pinnacle, the "Piedra del Mundo", that rises from the bottom of the trench to 15 feet below the surface. The perfect place for a safety stop!!!

La Chimenea, 70-110 fsw

At this site, the wall drops down from 40 feet to 90-110 feet with sand flats extending beyond into deeper water.

You will drop down the wall to 60 feet, then swim along the face until you reach the opening to "La Catedral". This is a huge cavern that has a large debris stone in the center.

Huge tarpon, barracuda, and schools of silver sides dance in the light beam entering through a large hole in the ceiling.

For advanced scuba divers, we can end this dive by traveling up a canyon to a long swim through, followed by an ascent through The Chimney.

Both portions of this dive can be done separately-or we can just dive along this beautiful coral wall.

Alejandro´s Reef 40-60 fsw

This site has the distinctive horseshoe shaped wall of a cenote.

There are large coral heads in the center, swim throughs where moray eels like to hide, and lots of black wire coral on the overhangs.

After following the curve of the horseshoe, this sit continues south into the tongue and groove formations of another site, The G-Spot.

Santa Julia

Just north of Sandwood Villas there are huge tongue and groove formations with canyons as wide as city streets. There are lovely barrel sponges at 60 to 80 ft.

The current here usually runs to the north so we end the dive at Punta Gavilan where school of Atlantic Spade Fish, Chubs, and Snapper are frequently seen. One time we even saw Dorado!

Doña Nica 40-80 fsw

This site has 2 distinct coral formations-a shallow wall from 30-50 feet facing sand flats. This is a favorite site for instructions as the depths are shallow, it has soft sand for doing training exercises, and lots of marine life. We also use it for night dives due to large numbers of lobster and octopus.

The second area of this site, just across the sand flats heading into deeper water, has large tongue and grooves plus intriguing pinnacles and coral heads. Large grouper and snapper use the overhanging ledges for hiding places.

Hob Na (aka Grouper Hangout) 40-110 fsw

About 30 minutes north, we discovered this site quite by accident when the substitute boat captain dropped us off at the wrong depth. We just followed a wide canyon out into deeper water and at about 60 feet began seeing lots of huge grouper that were in no hurry to leave their nesting sites. There are very tall, narrow canyon formations, some with large tunnels between them. The great thing about this site is that you can dive deep or shallow. You can dive along the tops of the ridges and see what is going on down below-or drop down deep for a closer look!

Cenote Azul, visit another planet !!

 In the unlikely event that the sea is too rough to dive Xcalak, we offer two tank trips to Cenote Azul and Bacalar, the Lake of Seven Colors. Cenote Azul is the largest pit cenote in Mexico, 600 feet across and 290+ feet at the center. The diving here is the most bizarre and thrilling fresh water dive you will ever experience. The geological formations look more like a moon-scape with submerged trees populated by schools of live bearing, fresh water fish. At 100+ feet, you can look up and see swimmers above but not the bottom. During the first dive, you will drop down through the blue-green water to a ledge at 90-100 feet, we then progress along the wall in a multi-level dive. For the surface interval, you can lounge in the sun or enjoy some fine local cuisine in the Cenote Azul restaurant. The second dive will be conducted at 50-60 feet and often we can make a complete circuit of the cenote in 40 minutes. The water in this cenote is much warmer than what you will commonly experience in the smaller cenotes, with an average year round temperature above 80° F. Visability is 30 to 50 feet. After the dives, we can stop in Bacalar to visit the colonial Spanish Fort, do some shopping, or just wander around this lovely inland city.

RELAXED SCUBA DIVING

At XTC Dive Center, we run a pretty relaxed scuba dive schedule. Normally, we begin gearing up for local dives at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 2 PM and are in the water within 30 minutes-but we are happy to schedule scuba dives at other times to suit your schedule. We plan our deepest scuba dive of the day first; successive scuba dives are progressively shallower. If you have a scuba dive computer , we will be happy to plan computerscuba dives. For groups of 4 or more, we can give you your own boat, Divemaster, and Captain-you decide when you want to dive. We always return to the shop between dives so you can have a snack and relax on the beach during your surface interval. Occasionally, we plan 2 tank trips farther north; in which case we will stop at a restaurant or on the beach for our surface interval. Night scuba dives are conducted just after dusk and Chinchorro trips always leave between 7 and 8 AM.

SPECIAL SERVICES

To save scuba driving time, since we know you would rather be diving, we offer free pick-up in our boats as far north as Kimmel's Kabana (see map) for any number of divers. For four or more divers, we will pick you up for free as far north as Cielos Azules, less than 4 divers we charge $10 for pick-up. If you stop by the dive shop when you arrive, you can fill out your release forms and get fitted for equipment on your first day. For subsequent days of scuba diving, a dive boat will show up at your hotel with all your equipment ready-all you have to do is jump in the boat and go dive! For those of you with your own equipment, we will wash and dry your equipment at the end of each day then store it in our shop.

SCUBA DIVE PRICES

	Prices (USD)
Private Scuba Dive(s)	$75
One Scuba Dive	$50
Two Scuba Dives	$75
Three Scuba Dives	$95
Night Scuba Dive	$75
Technical scuba dive(s)  with guide	$90 each (max depth 200 fsw)
Cenote Azul trip, 2 tanks (4 diver minmum)	$85 per person
Chinchorro (3 tanks air)	$190 (4 diver minimum, 8 per maximum)
Chinchooro Snorkler	$135  (4 diver minimum, 8 per maximum)

• If you will be traveling with 8 or more scuba divers, please contact us for special group rates.
• All prices are per person. The price of open-water boat dives includes an 80 cubic ft. aluminum tank, weight belt, and weights. See equipment rental below if you need additional items.
• All prices are in US dollars (we will convert to pesos if you would like to pay in domestic currency, we apply the day´s exchange rate published at 
  www.bancomer.com
• ALL prices include  taxes
  

EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Scuba Equipment Rental	Prices (USD)
Regulator and BCD per day	$15
Regulator and BCD per week	$70
Regulator OR BCS per day	$10
Regulator OR BCS per week	$40
Wet Suit	$10
Computer per day	$10
Nitrox up to EANx40	$12 per fill
UW Light	$10
Mask, snorkel, and fins for scuba diving	$10
Mask, snorkel  OR  fins for scuba diving	$5

Snorkel Equipment Rental	Prices (USD)              Must purchase or show wrist band
Snorkel Equipment per day:  Mask, fins, snorkel, snorkeling vest, and Marine park wrist band.	$25
Snorkel Equipment per week:  Mask, fins, snorkel, snorkeling vest, and 7 marine park wrist bands	$75
Mask with Snorkel OR fins plus snorkeling vest and wrist band, per day	$15