A. C. Divers

Took a refresher/upgrade course. I hadn't been on a dive in 40+ years, but of the five or six shops I went to, AC Divers was one of only two who required me to take a refresher course (which I expected and wanted anyway). The other shop …

They had the best prices of all the dive centers I approached in Playa del Carmen. Two dives in the cenotes for USD 130, including rental of a complete set of equipment. Everything was included in the price, including lunch and transport. …

I feel incredibly fortunate to have come across A.C. Divers to begin my diving journey in Playa del Carmen. As a child, I had a fear of being in water without a visible bottom after a scary experience in a current. Whenever water reached my ears, I felt a knot in my stomach. This insecurity lingered for years. My friends and I planned our diving courses about two months in advance. A.C. Divers advised us on the schedule, locations, and tailored the experience to our needs. They ensured we could complete all the theory beforehand, so by the time we arrived, we were ready for the practical part. This was the perfect solution since the guys in our group had prior diving experience, while the girls were complete beginners. What initially felt overwhelming—like setting up the diving equipment—became clear and simple when Carolyn guided us on day one. She explained everything so effectively that I felt confident from that moment on. Carolyn also made sure every piece of equipment, from wetsuits to fins, fit each of us perfectly. If it hadn’t been for Carolyn’s patient and encouraging teaching style, I wouldn’t have made it through the first day of the pool session for the Open Water course. She took extra time with me to address my fears, and her calm approach helped me overcome them. I particularly appreciated her daily dive briefings—they were concise yet informative, breaking things down step by step to prevent us from feeling overwhelmed. Her method of teaching buoyancy through controlled breathing was brilliant. It felt intuitive from the start and made achieving good buoyancy control feel like a fun challenge rather than a daunting task. Both Cazz and Aaron shared invaluable tips during the boat rides—small pieces of advice that felt like life lessons we’ll carry with us forever. Their partnership is perfect: not only are they incredibly funny, but they’re also extremely knowledgeable and experienced divers. They balance each other perfectly in their approach to teaching. It wasn’t just about learning diving skills—it was the chilled atmosphere and their passion for creating memorable experiences underwater. They didn’t treat it as just “getting it done.” Instead, they went the extra mile, chasing underwater caves to show us the best marine life and the most stunning underwater spots. They also shared incredible videos and photos from their GoPro, capturing moments that we’ll treasure forever. When I found diving in rougher seas particularly challenging, Aaron was a great source of support. He reassured me and guided me through descending for a deep dive in a way that made me feel confident to continue. Considering the number of dives he’s done and his technical expertise, he remains incredibly down-to-earth and approachable—a truly cool instructor. For me, completing the Advanced Open Water course in just one week of diving was a bigger challenge than it might be for others. However, knowing that both Carolyn and Aaron were there for me every step of the way made the experience much more manageable and enjoyable. It’s your choice if you prefer large diving centres located on beachfront properties. However, with A.C. Divers, the advantage lies in their agility and the personalised attention you receive. Learning in small groups ensures you get the best possible experience and progress at your own pace. Leaving Playa del Carmen was bittersweet. Carolyn and Aaron weren’t just our instructors—they became our friends. We’re already looking forward to returning to A.C. Divers to continue growing as divers under their guidance.