Private Diving — Local services in San Miguel de Cozumel

I’ll start by saying that have traveled to Cozumel five times over the last two years specifically to dive with Ivan at Private Diving. I completed my AOW and have logged roughly 50 dives with him….that alone should say something! In a crowded field (let’s face it there a lot of operators and guides in Cozumel), Ivan stands head and shoulders above the rest. He’s the first and only call I make when I’m going to be down there.

I found Ivan right after getting my Open Water certification, after a borderline abusive instructor had shattered my confidence and sucked all the joy out of the experience. I explained this to Ivan and he corresponded with me and left me encouraging, supportive messages for nearly two months before I was able to get down there to dive with him. Right from the start, he put me 100% at ease, which allowed me to fall back in love with diving. He not only knows his stuff, he knows how to convey it to both students and experienced divers alike. He is kind and caring and patient and funny and just an all-around good human. And, no matter your experience level, the personalized, one-on-one attention is absolutely the only way to go! Ivan will tailor a dive trip to fit your wishes. If you need your hand held the whole dive, he will hold your hand. If you want to be challenged, he will challenge you. Want to see cool marine life? He knows where it’s hiding. He doesn’t want you to just enjoy your dive, he wants you…and I quote…”to freaking love it!” And, if you go with him, you...

The previous reviews (I encourage you to read them) seem to have used up all the superlatives in describing the experience of diving with Ivan. Any every one of them is entirely well-deserved! He’s been described as a rock star…and he truly is… but more importantly, whatever your experience level, he’ll make you feel like a rock star too! The beauty of his approach is to give you the experience YOU want to have. Whether that means you need a little hand-holding, want to just drift along enjoying the underwater beauty, or you want to be challenged, Ivan will tailor a dive to your desires. In addition to being one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, he truly understands the physics of diving, he knows Cozumel’s many dive sites like the back of his hand and he Loves Loves Loves what he does. His approach is that he doesn’t just want you to enjoy diving, he wants you “to freakin’ love it” (direct quote from one of our pre-trip communications). And you will! He’s responsive, communicative, patient, kind, fun and expert at explaining things in a way that just seems to click. Whether beginner or advanced, you will undoubtedly learn something new from diving with him. Even if you don’t, you will nonetheless be enriched by being able to count Ivan among...

Was thinking about private diving as I had some time In Cozumel and decided why not. Let me tell you this team is incredibly professional! Perfect English, Spanish whatever the heck you need they got a solution for you...the staff here are truly passionate about the work they do and the marine life they show you.

Everything was super safe and I easily overcame my silly "what-if" fears about breathing underwater. The instructor is within arms reach of you the entire time. They constantly check if your breathing is ok, air pressure is ok, and point out where and what to do. They made all the technical parts of scuba seem so easy....understanding the gear, how to clear water out of your mask, understanding hand signals underwater.

I had so much fun and the pictures came out so crazy nice. Looks like another planet. Swimming and being one with the fish and with the underwater world. I think I'm hooked on scuba diving for life and can't wait to try other destinations. If you're on the fence about scuba, you should do it. Actually, I think everyone should do it.

Whether you're doing only a first-time fun dive or getting your scuba certification, I highly recommend this private...