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Sand Dollar Sports Dive Center

Scuba Diving Courses in Cozumel

LEARN TO DIVE WITH EXPERTS!

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Your PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Cozumel

Cozumel Scuba Diving Courses

Experience world-class diving with Sand Dollar Sports, Cozumel’s premier 5 Star PADI dive center. Our beachfront location offers stunning Caribbean views and a private pier for easy entry/exit practice. Learn to dive in Cozumel with peace of mind knowing our equipment is all new Aqualung, meticulously maintained by our in-house technicians. With over 40 years of experience, Sand Dollar Sports is your one-stop shop for an unforgettable underwater adventure in Cozumel.


Our most loved scuba diving courses include the PADI Open Water Diver Course and the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course. In most cases, these courses can be completed in approximately 2 – 3 days because you can complete course work online before you come! We also offer PADI Professional Courses for those who want to become divemasters or dive instructors.


If you haven’t dived in a while, we recommend taking the PADI Refresher Course!

Our Scuba Diving Courses

scuba diving courses in cozumel

PADI Open Water Diver Course

Start your dive journey at our beachfront dive center!

  • Prepare for your dive adventure: You can prepare for you course at your leisure before you come by reading the PADI eLearning materials online. This will give you more time to enjoy your course and our beautiful beach upon your arrival.
  • Meet your instructor: You’ll meet your instructor at our dive center on day one. Your dive instructor will give you a general understanding of how the course will go and then you will begin getting set up with your dive gear. 
  • Explore the underwater world: Complete your 4 Open Water dives in the stunning Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration area, teeming with marine life.
  • Become a certified diver: Earn your PADI certification, qualifying you to dive up to 60 feet anywhere in the world with similar diving conditions.

Certification Includes:

  • PADI Open Water Diver digital manual
  • 5 Confined Water Sessions, and 4 Open Water Dives
  • BCD, Mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuits, tanks, and weights
  • PADI Certified Instructor

Qualifications and General Info:

  • Minimum age 10
  • Must know how to swim
  • Course takes ~2 days
  • PADI eLearning commitment 5-10 hours (can be completed before course starts)
  • Must pass PADI exam to be certified

Cost:

Option 1: 4 shore dives included: $500

Option 2: 3 shore dives and 1 two-tank boat dive (5 dives total): $550

Option 1 (shore dives only)
Option 2 (shore and boat dives)
PADI Advanced Open Water Diving course in Cozumel

PADI Advanced OWD Course

Dive the world confidently with this certification!

Certification Includes:

The PADI Advanced Open Water certification offers numerous advantages:

  • Increased Confidence: Master advanced techniques and safety procedures, allowing you to navigate dives with greater control and peace of mind.
  • Expanded Dive Options: Unlock access to a broader range of dive sites around the world, including deeper depths (up to 100 feet) or unique underwater features.
  • Personalized Learning: Focus on areas that genuinely excite you, tailoring your training to your dive aspirations.
This course is fun! You will personalize your learning by choosing five adventure dives that pique your interest, such as deep diving, wreck exploration, or underwater navigation. Deeper diving requires more safety protocols, so you will also learn more about no-decompression limits, dive planning, and when to ascend.


This certification will qualify you to dive up to 100 feet anywhere in the world.

  • PADI Advanced OWD digital manual
  • 5 Adventure dives--2 from boat!
  • Aqualung dive equipment for all dives
  • Mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuits, tanks and weights
  • PADI Certified Instructor

Qualifications and General Info:

  • Must have PADI OWD or Junior OWD certification
  • Complete 5 dives in 2 or 3 days
  • eLearning commitment 6-8 hours (can be completed before course starts)
  • No exam!

Cost: $520

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PADI Open Water Referral Course

Get Certified in Cozumel Quickly!

Already started your scuba training at home? With the PADI Open Water Referral in Cozumel, you can finish your certification in the Caribbean’s warm, clear waters. This option lets you complete your classroom and pool sessions at home, then do your required open water dives with Sand Dollar Sports while enjoying the beauty of Cozumel’s reefs.

How It Works

  • What it is: Start your PADI Open Water Course at home and complete your open water certification dives in Cozumel.

  • Time required: Just 2 days.

  • Minimum age: 10 years (Junior Open Water Diver) or 15 years (Open Water Diver).

  • What to bring: A signed referral form from your home instructor.

  • Why choose this option: Save vacation time, dive in ideal Caribbean conditions, and complete your Open Water certification in Cozumel.

Why Choose Sand Dollar Sports?

  • Professional PADI instructors with years of experience.

  • Flexible scheduling – choose a 1-day or 2-day referral option.

  • Training dives on our shallow house reef with safe, easy entry and exit.

  • Supportive environment to build confidence underwater.

Once you’ve completed your dives, you’ll earn the PADI Open Water Diver certification, recognized worldwide. You’ll then be ready to join our daily boat dives or continue your dive training with advanced PADI courses.

Cost

  • 1-Day (Half Referral): 2 dives – $180

  • 2-Day (Full Referral): 4 dives – $300

Book Your PADI Open Water Referral Course Now!

PADI Open Water Diver Referral in Cozumel
1-Day Half Referral Course
2-Day Full Referral course

PADI Refresher Course

PADI Refresher Course

If you haven’t scuba dived in over two years or if you’re not feeling confident in your skills and knowledge, you can take a scuba refresher course with us. Your instructor will review all the fundamentals and practice the necessary safety exercises for a boat dive. Tank and weights included.

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Please note:

  • Some health restrictions do apply. Please review our medical waiver for specific questions. If a “yes” answer is required for any question you must have a written letter from a medical physician authorizing you to participate in a diving activity.
  • Sand Dollar Sports reserves the right on any final decision regarding your ability to dive.
  • Click here to download the medical waiver form.
  • All sunscreens are prohibited at our location. Wearing a rash guard is strongly recommended. You can purchase one from us for $45. It’s a great souvenir to take home!
  • Price does not include “Cozumel Marine Park” fee if any of your dives are in the marine park. All national park fees were increased to $13 on January 1, 2026. 

LOOKING FOR MORE ADVANCED COURSES?

become a pro scuba diver

We also offer Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses. Contact us for more information and pricing.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Scuba Diving Courses in Cozumel

Do I need prior experience to take a scuba diving course?

No prior experience is needed for beginner courses like Discover Scuba Diving or PADI Open Water Diver. Our instructors will guide you through every step to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Our PADI Open Water Diver Course takes about 2-3days to complete, with PADI eLearning materials available to study in advance. This allows you to focus on hands-on training upon arrival.

  • Discover Scuba Diving: 10 years and older
  • PADI Open Water Diver: 10 years and older
  • Refresher Course: Available for certified divers of all ages

No, we provide high-quality Aqualung dive gear as part of your course package. However, if you have your own equipment, you are welcome to use it.

Our training dives take place in Cozumel’s crystal-clear waters, including shallow shore dives for beginners and boat dives on vibrant coral reefs for certification dives.

Yes! Safety is our priority. Our instructors are PADI-certified, and we adhere to strict safety protocols, including maintaining small group sizes and conducting thorough equipment checks before every dive.

Absolutely. Once you complete your dives in Cozumel, you’ll be a certified PADI Open Water Diver, able to dive anywhere in the world.

 

A PADI Open Water diver can dive a maximum of 18 meters/60 feet, and a PADI Advanced Open Water diver can dive a maximum of 30 meters/100 feet. However, most divers find they prefer to stay shallower as there is more light to catch the colors of the fish, corals, and sponges. This is especially true for photographers and videographers.