Cavern Diver Course

Learn to dive the Cenotes in Tulum and Playa del Carmen with safety and confidence.  Book your course now!

$899.00

Duration: 4 Days

Experience Level: Advanced - 50 Logged Dives

Dive Type: Cenotes/Cave

What's included? The course includes the student manual, transportation to/from Playa del Carmen or Tulum, equipment, certification (once you complete requirements), snacks, water, park entrance fees, and a whole new perspective to what a "good" diver should look like.

The meet point for this tour is the Tulum Dive shop or the Playa del Carmen Dive shop
The Cavern Diver Course will equip you to to dive the Mexican Cenotes safely and confidently, and is the first step into becoming a Cave Diver.

The Cavern Diver course is the first step into our spectacular world of diving underwater caves; famous worldwide for their length, visibility, and beauty. Cavern Diver is the initial certification needed on the journey towards the Cave Diver certification, providing you with the skills, technique and knowledge to dive safely in an overhead environment.  This qualification allows you to dive within a cenote’s natural light zone to a maximum penetration distance of 200ft/60m from open water.  The program focuses mainly on advanced buoyancy control, team diving, environmental conservation, and emergency procedures. Combine this course with Sidemount Diver to get the most out of your time here.

The Cavern Diver course is a 3-4 day program, including theory sessions, land drills, and in-water sessions to provide a solid foundation for your overhead environment training.  The course requires completion of at least 4 dives with a minimum total bottom time of 80 minutes, however mostly likely we will be underwater for nearly triple that amount of time.  After this course, you may feel ready to participate in the Intro to Cave Course.

Below is a tentative schedule of the Cavern Diver course. 

It is important to stay flexible, as things are always subject to change, but please read below to have a rough idea of what your days will be like.

Cavern Diver Course – Day 1:

Meet at 8:30 at Blue Life and go through equipment setup and and initial theory.  You should have completed the student manual and exam by this time.  At midday, we will pack the truck, get a quick bite to eat, and drive to one of the cenotes for your first training session.  Once at the cenote you will get an explanation of how the cenotes were formed and a tour of the training site.  Your instructor will brief you on the dive skills, provide supervision while you assemble your equipment, and show you the best way to enter the cenote and don your gear in the water.  Once you are comfortable on the surface, you will go over a safety check with the guidance of the instructor to make sure that all of your equipment is working properly and you have everything required.

During this first in-water session you will focus on 4 things; Buoyancy, Trim, Propulsion, and Team Awareness.  This may sound simple but can take a while to master, which is of utmost importance before progressing further.  These fundamentals will be worked on constantly throughout the course and after.   We will practice advanced buoyancy techniques to maximize efficiency, as well a check your overall in-water trim.  Trim is more specifically your body’s pitch (whether you are head up, head down, or laying flat) in the water.  This can be tweaked with equipment adjustments and body positioning.  To diminish drag and to prevent damage to the cavern, ideal trim is more or less parallel to bottom (without touching it).  You will also work on good propulsion techniques to minimize effort and avoid touching the top or bottom in what can be very silty environments.  Often just working on these three things alone causes us to forget our team diving protocol.  Your instructor will be there to remind you to always know where your team is and what they are doing. It is extremely important that your buoyancy control, trim and propulsion are incredibly fine-tuned before you enter the overhead environment for the safety of yourself, your team, and to protect the very delicate environment.

After we pack up and debrief the dive, we will probably leave the cenote sometime around 5 pm.  You should be ready to leave the dive shop by around 6 pm.

Cavern Diver Course – Day 2

You will meet at 8:30 at Blue Life for some theory on communication, team member roles and cavern conservation.  After that we will pack the car and head to the cenote for our first land drill.  During the drill you will learn how to use a cave diving reel and how the permanent cavern lines are setup.  You will also learn the importance of line markers, their significance, and how to feel them in the event of zero visibility.  Your instructor will have you practice laying a cavern line on land so that you are comfortable prior to attempting to do so in water.  This is a difficult skill that tends to task load most divers so we like to practice a few times on land and in open water before trying it out in the overhead.

During the dive session you will continue to work on buoyancy, trim, propulsion and team awareness.  You will practice laying line using the reel in open water using rocks along the bottom of the cenote, which is more similar to the actual cavern environment than preforming land drills.  If you perform well in the open water, your instructor will demonstrate how you should lead a cavern dive in the actual overhead portion of the cenote.

Cavern Diver Course – Day 3 and 4

You will meet at 8:30 at Blue Life to complete the theory portion of the course.  Once that is complete, you will head to a cenote to perform your first cavern dive.  By now you should be able to conduct the safety check and briefing without much guidance and your buoyancy skills should be looking sharp. Our instructors will be there to assist you if needed but they will allow you to dive and make mistakes without much interference.  During the dive, your instructor will ask you to resolve a few problems while in the open water and inside the cavern.  Part of the your skills assessment is your ability to problem solve while maintaining proper buoyancy, trim, and team awareness.  Once you complete all of the course requirements, we will get out of the water and head back to the shop to log all the dives and process your certification (if all requirements are met).

You should bring your mask, fins with boots, and exposure suit for the course.  We can provide these but you will be much more comfortable in your own wetsuit or drysuit.  The water temperature in the cenotes is 24 degrees celsius (77 fahrenheit), however we will spend 4-5 hours in the water per session so you may get cold.  Most of the cave or cavern instructors in the area dive in drysuits or 8mm wetsuits.

Reviews

  1. Rated 5 out of 5

    Runar H

    Cave diving Thank you Hugo De la Llata. I appreciate your integrity, your way of teaching, your mood and your bad jokes. I’ve done a lot challenging things, this course is definitivt top three. Thank you blue life. I’ll be back.

  2. Rated 5 out of 5

    Carlos C.

    Great Diving with Blue Life! After deciding I wanted to learn how to cave dive, and after contacting almost every dive shop between Playa del Carmen and Cancun, I decided to sign up for side mount, nitrox, taste of the riviera Maya, and cavern+intro to cave with Blue Life. Looking back, it was one of the greatest decisions I\'ve made since beginning to SCUBA dive! The staff at Blue Life is one of the most professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful group of divers I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Hugo, who led my and uncle and I through side mount, took us to some awesome cenotes and made sure we were going at a pace that was conducive to our experience levels. Blue Life overall does a great job of ensuring that you know what you\'re doing before moving on; they don\'t try to rush you through training so they can move on to other clients. They warmly welcome you into their family and help you learn! After side mount, I did taste of the riviera Maya with Steve and Daniel, really enjoying the expertise and experience of our two guides. I can\'t wait to dive with them again!

  3. Rated 5 out of 5

    Eyal

    Had amazing time doing the full cave course with Hugo. All the staff at bluelife made us feel so welcome. I would highly recommend Bluelife to anyone who plans diving around Playa.

  4. Rated 5 out of 5

    Amy

    Hugo and the team and THE best people to dive with. We recently did our full cave course and couldn’t have asked for more from them.

  5. Rated 5 out of 5

    Amy L

    Fabulous team for an adventure! We spent 3 weeks with the Bluelife team this month. We did the Full Cave Dive course and pleasure diving. To say it was epic is an understatement! Hugo was our instructor and guide for most of the trip and he was so knowledgable and helpful he really gave us a passion for cave diving. He helped us move form back mount to side mount as well (which I would advise to go in the caves). He is super keen on protecting the caves as well so don’t think you will get an easy ride, he will teach you to be a conscientious cave diver! It’s all about trim, buoyancy and propulsion :) We also spent a couple of down days diving Cozumel and I recommend it as the drift dove is epic, both Vale and Steve were great dive guides. They knew the area and were keen to share their knowledge. Last, but not least, Leo and Andrea made sure the school and trips were organised for us without fail! Thank you guys and we will see you again.

  6. Rated 5 out of 5

    Eyal L

    Full cave course We came to Bluelife to do our full cave course in July. We had a great time Hugo was an awesome instructor and his patience knows no bounds :) Bluelife staff is so accommodating and enthusiastic about diving. The course was definitely the best diving course I have done, and I would highly recommend anyone who is looking to do a full cave course or any sort of diving in general to take a look at Bluelife. After the course Willy and Hugo taken us to see some other caves and both are so helpful and knowledgeable about the caves and always helping with additional advice on the diving. During our time in Playa we also wanted to dive in Cozumel, Valentina was our guide and she also amazingly helpful and knowledgeable about the whole area. I have to say big thank you for all the Bluelife staff including Leo and Andrea for making us feel so welcome and assisting on us on with any issues we had. We are definitely coming back to Bluelife next year for our cave diving fix.

  7. Rated 5 out of 5

    Chris Edmundson

    We just finished our second trip diving with Blue life. On the first trip they set us up with some great guides that took us to some beautiful cenotes, diving with bull sharks, a night dive and some great reef dives. On the second trip I completed the cavern course with Hugo. He was an amazingly effective, kind and patient instructor. I left there with huge improvements in my knowledge and skills. This truly is top notch instruction. I will definitely choose Blue Life again for the Intro to Cave and Full Cave courses in the future. Valentina took us on some fun dives in the cenotes, a night dive and a wreck dive in Cozumel. She provided amazing pre-dive briefings and really ensured a great dive experience. She also did an excellent job instructing my partner with her wreck dive specialty. What I like best about Blue Life is that they always keep the groups very small and they employ only top tier guides. Definitely the best dive shop I have ever been to.

  8. Rated 5 out of 5

    Devin Ramdutt

    Cave Diving Excellent dive school for cave diving. Took an 8 day full dive course with Hugo and thoroughly enjoyed it. Strong focus on cave dive safety and etiquette. One day of calssroom work and then the rest were at several different Cenotes round the Riviera Maya. And the tacos for breakfast every morning were a happy bonus.

  9. Rated 5 out of 5

    Hayden

    I did my Cavern to Full Cave course with Hugo at Blue Life and I enjoyed every minute! Hugo was a excellent instructor which made the course enjoyable but also challenging at the same time and all the other staff are amazing friendly people! Would 100% recommend Blue Life for any diving needs!!!

  10. Rated 5 out of 5

    soo yeol k

    Perfect diving with Blue Life I\'m a South Korean PADI scuba instructor. Since PADI lacks a professional cave diving course, so I searched for a solution and found Blue Life. Last year, 2017, after I finished a cave diving course with them, I came this year again to gain more experience. Normally, in my experience, cave diving course instructors are a bit too stern with their teaching styles. Fortunately, the Blue Life staff, especially Hugo and Frank, were kind and forgiving while teaching. I look forward to coming here again in the upcoming years with other curious divers. For those seeking a grand experience in underwater caves, look no further than Blue Life.

  11. Rated 5 out of 5

    kian3260

    Best dive operation out there hands down When I travel I am generally disappointed by the dive operations that I encounter. While the diving may be stunning many of them lack the basic foundations in safety and standards. This is not the case at Blue Life. Frank was very accommodating in helping me get my cave course squared away along with some open water dives for me and my family very last minute. Hugo my instructor is extremely knowledgeable and taught an incredible course that was both very challenging and rewarding. During my stay I also had one day to get some open water dives done. Sofia was a terrific guide and her passion for her work is evident, she gave us nice long dives with plenty of stunning marine life. By the end of my stay I felt as at home at Blue Life as I do at my local dive shop. I could not recommend a better dive operation, no one does it better than Blue Life! Can\'t wait to go back

  12. Rated 5 out of 5

    wwwGlobeTrekker

    Like visiting old friends - and going diving with them! Blue Life is my dive shop of choice in Playa del Carmen. As others have said, it really is the people who make the difference. Having done my full cave course with Frank & Hugo some time ago, my GF & I had only one day to get back into a cenote so we of course went with Blue Life. Hugo took us out for the day and it was as if we\'d seen him the month before - highly recommended for new and experienced divers alike.

  13. Rated 5 out of 5

    Tally8585

    Safety is their main priority Having visited a lot of dive companies over the last 20 years you can tell who is safe and organized, and who isn\'t! It took me a year to pluck up the courage to even think about diving in the Cenotes, and it was obviously very important to choose a company whose values aligned with ours. We have been diving with Blue Life almost every month since January, slowly building our skills towards a cave certification. Sidemount, nitrox and cave diving were all new to us, and Blue Life has dedicated amazing staff to teach us, (patiently) the skills we need to safely, and confidentally cave dive. We didn\'t walk in as dive superstars, and they have not let us progress too quickly, simply to hand out a certificate, (which is important). I\'m sure there are plenty of places out there that will just hand out cards to people who don\'t have the skills. This area of Mexico is the best place to experience cave diving, so take advantage of it if you plan to visit. Big shout out to Hugo, Mauro, Frank, Sarah, Fernanda, Matthias, Veronica and **sorry I forgot the girl\'s name from Costa Rica :-( ..... see you all soon!!!

  14. Rated 5 out of 5

    JasonSharp1980

    Full Cave Course Big thanks to the team at Blue Life. Having dived with a lot of different operations I can definitely say that this dive operation is absolutely top notch. I did my full cave training with them and I can\'t say enough good things about the experience. My instructor Hugo De la Llata was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and enthusiastic about the amazing underwater world of the Yucatan. I learned an incredible amount in a short period of time and will be ever grateful for the experience. I am definitely making plans for regular visits to Blue Life and would suggest them to anyone who has an interest in diving in the area.

  15. Rated 5 out of 5

    ChasHudson60

    Cave diving April of 2015 I took my cave course from Blue Life. I was very happy and returned April of 2016 and spent five days cave diving with the guides of Blue Life. April 2017 I returned again and spent eight days cave diving with the staff of Blue Life. They are a great, professional team. Each morning we left Playa and headed south. Every guide knows the caves very well and all are experienced cave divers. You can rest assured they are safe and qualified cave divers and guides. Thanks.

  16. Rated 5 out of 5

    Jonathan W

    Superior Sidemount Cave Training This is my second trip back to Blue Life for Cave training. This time around we spent a lot of time doing stage cave dives and exploring some less popular cenotes. The level of instruction is excellent, you will learn something new every day just fun diving with Blue Life. All of the staff have excellent knowledge of the local caves and also awesome people as well. I\'ll be back again soon! <3

  17. Rated 5 out of 5

    Devinkr

    Amazing Diving With Amazing People I did my full cave course and some fun dives with Blue Life and wish I could have stayed even longer. From the start everything was great. Fernanda was quick to answer all my questions and check in with me as the trip approached. When there was a last minute family emergency with the instructor she took us out for some beautiful dives. Frank and Hugo offered a challenging but incredible course; very knowledgeable but also approachable with any questions. Sarah took us on some of the most beautiful dives I have ever done in over 10 years of diving. I will definitely be back!

  18. Rated 5 out of 5

    traveler_raph

    Great dive center - perfect staff and equipment I dived with Blue Life for the TDI Sidemount, Cavern and Intro TO Cave certification courses, in september-october 2016. The center is ideally located close to the beach (on 40th street) for ocean dives. They offer new, clean and well maintained diving equipment, a nice course room, and a very friendly athmosphere. My instructors for Cave diving were Hugo and Franck, who are both great people and very serious and dedicated instructors. I feel well trained, and during the course, I always felt secure and at ease with the team. I recommend Blue Life for Cave Diving courses.

  19. Rated 5 out of 5

    Jonathan W

    Amazingly talented instructors. I\'ve done a lot of dive training in the past but taking full cave and some advanced cave training at blue life totally changed my attitude towards diving in overheads. We plan to return again this year to dive more. Thanks blue life team, it was time well spent!

  20. Rated 5 out of 5

    ChasHudson

    Cave Diving in the Cenotes of Riveria Maya I just returned from a week of diving with the staff at Blue Life Diving. Day one, Vale and I took the ferry to dive in Cozumel. I love diving in Cozumel. The remaining 6 days I went cave diving with Hugo as my guide. We visited a different cave system each day; it was fantastic. Both of the guides were personable, safety conscious and very knowledgable about the area and its dive sites. Last year, I took a two week course in side mount, cavern and cave diving at Blue Life. Interested in exploring a new chapter in diving? If so, investigate the options at Blue Life. You can feel comfortable diving with the personnel there; you will be in good hands. Charles.

  21. Rated 5 out of 5

    mike stanton

    Full Cave! This was my 2nd time training with BlueLife. I returned to become full cave certified. The instructors were fantastic. They were helpful, knowledgeable, professional, etc. I have been to Mexico diving 8 different times over the last 10 years. By far, this operation is the best I have seen. The personalized attention was amazing. In addition to the cave diving, I also went on a night dive on the Playa reef with instructor Hugo as a guide to take some pictures. A special thanks to Hugo for running back (literally) to retrieve my camera after I forgot it. I am planning on completing my TEC training with BlueLife in the very near future. PS If you go cave diving with BlueLife, make sure to ask about the tacos for breakfast.

  22. Rated 5 out of 5

    wwwGlobeTrekker

    Great team, location, and service Blue Life is one of the smaller dive operations in Playa, with experienced instructors that offer everything from discover scuba courses through to technical and other advanced courses, that you can do with either PADI or TDI. We went for 2 weeks with the aim of completing the TDI full cave diver course. After much research, we decided to book with Blue Life and our course instructors were Hugo and Frank. What a great choice! In almost 30 years of diving, this was easily the most intense dive course I\'ve ever done. I don\'t think I could have asked for better instructors - Hugo & Frank strike the right balance between enjoying the course and ensuring it\'s seriousness is not lost in the fun. If you\'re considering options in Playa for a course or just to do some fun diving and you\'re looking at prices online, one bit of advice I would offer is to go beyond the \"headline price\". For the course I did, for example, Blue Life was more expensive than most others, but this is because it covered everything whereas most others don\'t - cenote entry fees, specialist cave gear, even breakfast and lunch was included. Over 2 weeks, all this would have added up quickly. I can only rate the gear we used on the course, which was a mix of brand new and almost brand new. Frank is pretty fanatical about his gear and this seems to flow through into what he stocks for clients. The kit we used (lights and sidemount harnesses) was so good that we actually bought it from them once we completed the course. If you\'re looking for a fun team with first-rate instructors and years (and years) of local experience in and around the cenotes, I would highly recommend Frank and his team at Blue Life.

  23. Rated 5 out of 5

    Jonathan W

    Tailored training and exceptional service. I recently participated in cave training up to Advanced Cave Sidemount with Blue Life. This is one of the most demanding courses I have ever been involved in, Frank tailors all of his cave training to the students level focusing on the aspects that will help you personally succeed with your diving objectives. None of these courses are simply a \'meet the curriculum\' exercise. The new shop is in it\'s infancy but the classroom, equipment room and outdoor areas were already well established. The staff were exceptional and things ran well. If you\'re looking to challenge yourself and get some serious training for cave and technical diving, Blue Life would be a stand out recommendation. See you all next year ;)

  24. Rated 5 out of 5

    Keith W

    Became a better diver with Blue Life I recently spent an amazing week in PDC taking the TDI sidemount and cavern courses and cenote diving with Blue Life. The excellent staff (Frank and Hugo in particular) made the week both unbelievably enjoyable and highly educational. I have been diving with my partner for just over a year and half, and I love it! We booked this diving learncation with Blue Life because we wanted to find out more about diving in the beautiful cenotes of the Yucatan, and there is no higher-rated dive shop in the Mayan Riviera. Frank (the owner), responded to our emails promptly and made sure we were up to the challenge of the TDI sidemount and cavern diving courses. Blue Life also offers guided cavern tours of local cenotes, which don\'t require any extra training, but we wanted the opportunity to hone our diving skills with world-class instructors. I wasn\'t disappointed. As promised, the TDI sidemount and cavern courses were challenging, but rewarding. It took me quite a while to get used to the sidemount equipment configuration and diving position, but my instructor Hugo persistently worked with me until I could achieve the expected level of competence. My buoyancy, trim, and propulsion technique are all considerably improved! The cavern course taught me how to handle challenging diving scenarios and equipment failure in zero visibility situations. I have never been more challenged nor felt more rewarded! After completing the courses (which were taught on-site at the gorgeous cenote Jardin del Eden), my partner and I decided to take advantage of Blue Life\'s excellent service, and spent two more days diving with them in local cenotes. Despite torrential downpours, the diving was spectacular with unbelievable visibility at every location. Chikin-Ha was extraordinary, Dos Ojos was epic, and Tajma-Ha was majestic and serene...there is no way to choose a favourite among them. The week spent with Hugo and Frank at Blue Life has made me a considerably better diver, and although I saw many wonderful things, I have had only the slightest glimpse of the beautiful caves, caverns and cenotes of the Yucatan. As I write this review I am currently booking my next trip to PDC to take another course with Blue Life. The cenotes are calling!

  25. Rated 5 out of 5

    Matthew C

    First-Class Diver Training I had visited cenotes in the Yucatan prior to becoming a diver. Only recently it occurred to me I could combine my love of cenotes and diving. While you can do guided dives in cenotes as an open water diver, I decided to get my TDI Cavern certification with Blue Life. They also recommended Sidemount certification if I had any interest in continuing the training with Full Cave (which I do). I just spent a week in Playa del Carmen, all revolving around training and diving with Blue Life... and it was an amazing vacation. After our sidemount and cavern certifications, we spent 2 more days with Blue Life visiting cenotes and reaping the benefits of our hard work. Hugo and Frank were amazing instructors. They\'re tough and work hard to make you the best diver you can be. Diving in overhead environments is very different than open water diving and should be taken seriously. Some of training days would make you wonder why you\'re spending your vacation this way. But if you\'re serious about diving and want to take it to the next level, I strongly recommend cavern and/or cave training with Blue Life. You\'re guaranteed to leave a better diver, along with amazing memories flying weightlessly through caverns. It\'s really something that needs to be experienced to understand.

  26. Rated 5 out of 5

    ErikaDiver

    Great Cave Course I just finished my full cave and sidemount course with Frank and it was awesome. I work as a scuba instructor and was looking to learn something new. Man, I learned a lot! Frank really knows what he is doing, which is good when going into a underground hole filled with water. He was very informative about all aspects of cave diving and a patient instructor. He was able to take me to some of the more out-of-the-way caves which was cool, as several times we were the only ones there. I can\'t recommend Frank and Blue Life enough.

  27. Rated 5 out of 5

    SwayTec

    Cenotes and cave diving, Instructor Training I went to Mexico for two reasons, diving cenotes and doing instructor courses. After being recommended Blue Life and Frank, the communications were excellent even before I went and a personal schedule was set up. I did 13 days of diving in total, also assisted on some courses for the instructor level training in some amazing cenotes. The instruction in second to non, Frank is very professional and obviously loves caves! The rental gear is great and there are no corners cut with Blue Life which is perfect! If you\'re looking to do recreational, technical diving or courses then you don\'t need to look any further, I can recommend Blue Life to anyone.....I will be back for more!

  28. Rated 5 out of 5

    Mike_Rochester_NY

    Another FANTASTIC Experience This was my 2nd time training with BlueLife. I returned to become full cave certified. The instructors were fantastic. They were helpful, knowledgeable, professional, etc. I have been to Mexico diving 8 different times over the last 10 years. By far, this operation is the best I have seen. The personalized attention was amazing. In addition to the cave diving, I also went on a night dive on the Playa reef with instructor Hugo as a guide to take some pictures. A special thanks to Hugo for running back (literally) to retrieve my camera after I forgot it. I am planning on completing my TEC training with BlueLife in the very near future. PS If you go cave diving with BlueLife, make sure to ask about the tacos for breakfast.

  29. Rated 5 out of 5

    bazspence564

    Diving with Blue Life I am a PADI MSDT Insructor and I have just completed my cavern and intro to cave with Frank from Blue Life. He is a very thorough instructor and one of the best I have come across as well as the rest of his instructors working there. Having a look round his new premises all the hire kit looks in pretty new and excellent condition and would be happy to dive on any of his kit as I am very fussy what I dive on as I am a qualified service technician.

  30. Rated 5 out of 5

    Rimas O

    The best around!!! I recently completed my cavern to full cave with Blue Life and I couldn\'t be happier with the entire experience, start to finish. When researching whom to dive with I contacted a couple different shops in the area, based on recommendations by friends. Most of my inquiries were either ignored or I was only given the costs of the course, very basic. I finally decided on Blue Life after speaking with Sarah and Frank. Email correspondence with Sarah was a breeze. She had everything taken care of and any questions were answered promptly. Once the course started with Frank, I was thrilled. You can easily see Frank is passionate about what he does. He pushes his students to strive for their best and makes sure by the end that you are comfortable and competent in all areas of diving with ease and security in the caves. The course was one of the most challenging and gratifying things I\'ve ever done in my life. If you\'re a seasoned diver or just thinking of taking the first step, I can\'t say enough about Frank, Sarah, and the rest of the Blue Life Team! I will see you all again soon!

  31. Rated 5 out of 5

    Mike_Rochester_NY

    Top Notch Training BlueLife was recommended by another dive shop as I was looking to take side mount and cavern classes simultaneously. I was not disappointed. Jorge was prompt, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable. It was a great time and I am looking forward to completing the full cave training with BlueLife.

  32. Rated 5 out of 5

    TravellingManOz

    A brand new, life-enhancing experience In spite of being a PADI instructor I felt like a newbie when I first started my full cave training with Frank. Thankfully, this turned around about half-way during the training and I finally had the pieces fall in the right places. Frank and his team are great, and their expertise with cave dive training is very evident from the outset. I cannot emphasis how much you should do this training with Blue Life if you ever consider cave training in the Yucatan. I\'m already making plans to go back for the next course. Highly recommended.

  33. Rated 5 out of 5

    divermonty

    Exceeded expectations!!! I completed my Full Cave Course with Frank in November 2014. This was my first experience diving the fresh water cenotes and caves in Mexico. I have known Frank for many years and was an easy decision when it came to choosing an Instructor based on safety, enjoyment and exploration. When I choose an operation to dive with my first concern is safety, Blue Life exceeded this aspect of diving. During our 2 weeks of training we were pushed everyday with a variety of skills to necessarily enter and exit the cave systems. Frank would pick us up every morning at our condo, we would stop for snacks and drinks, and get Franks favorite street tacos for breakfast. I have in the past recommended my tec students to go to Mexico and learn how to cave dive with Blue Life and will continue to send my students and friends to their operation.

  34. Rated 5 out of 5

    helio666

    Great Program! Wonderful staff! Very Personalized service. I did full cave with some buddys and As a tech instructor i was excited to be challenged and we where! The Cave corse with Frank was challenging and fun. He is a knowledgeable instructor, very patient and thorough. He transported us to and from our accommodations that he help arrange for us. It was all very personalized service. We where very glad we went with Blue Life. Frank puts safety and looking cool and the top of the list when teaching ;) . We also did a few guided cave dives after our course will William and he was a wonderful Divemaster. I have and will keep recommending Blue Life to anyone interested in diving in Playa.

  35. Rated 5 out of 5

    Lachlan C

    Most thorough and professional training, I\'ve experienced in my life. I\'ve been diving for over few years now and seen it all, I did a Full Cave course with Frank starting from cavern. During my time with Frank, I felt what it was like to be a newbie in the water again. His very assertive way of teaching and guidance reassured me throughout the course that I was dealing with one of the best in the world. I know with practice, that I too can one day be up there with the greats. Thank you Frank, for showing the Wonderful world of cave diving, I will be back to continue my Training with Frank and Bluelife.

  36. Rated 5 out of 5

    Janne K

    Be safe and aware! If you like diving and like to know how to do it the safest way possible ... Book your course with blue life!!! I just had the time to finish my full cave course together with blue life and Frank Guiterrez as instructor. The professional experience and knowledge the instructor possess made me not only a better diver but also the insight on how to build up my awareness!!! Simply put, my strongest recommendations to Blue life! /Janne

  37. Rated 5 out of 5

    Webmoment

    Always The Best I recently finished Full Cave certification with Blue Life. I have known Frank for three years now. My first cenote cavern dive was with Frank and Blue Life and my wife and I have dived the caverns with him since then. I chose to take it further and over the last year learned sidemount and in December took Cavern Diver and Intro To Cave from Frank and Blue Life. The gear, training and feedback have all been world class. Frank could see that I was intrigued by the caves and never pushed, let me do everything at my own pace. It may have taken years, but I am finally a Cave Diver and highly recommend Blue Life for cenote and ocean dives and world class training. I could not be happier with my experience and will be a client for life.

  38. Rated 5 out of 5

    Casey C

    A day in the blue life Blue Life has an excellent and experience staff who are prepared to give you the best diving experience in the Playa del Carmen area and if you\'re up for it the centoes of Mexico. All you have to do is give them a call! Frank and Karla will help arrange everything in advance so all you have to worry about when you arrive in Mexico is having a fantastic time diving and exploring the underwater world. This was my third trip with Blue Life and I can\'t wait to return next year, visit new caves and perfect my diving technique and skill. Even after you\'ve completed a course with Frank you are always a student and diving with Frank will make you want to be a better diver. I\'ve never meet anyone with the excellent buoyancy that he has, if you think you have good buoyancy I challenge you to dive with Frank, he\'ll take you to the next level of control and precision diving. And now, a short poem: I am a slave to the cave, \"Why\" people ask, It makes them quave, \"In the sun, I\'d rather bask\". I tell them a story, Of a place that gives me bliss. Let\'s take a lorry, To a place they call blue abyss. My guide assures me this cave is quite legit. As we begin the dive I feel alive, Parts of it are quite a tight fit, Caves like this make be thrive! As I make a turn, My world changes, Now I\'m in a bottomless cistern! This is a chamber for the ages. Even after my story people still don\'t understand. They say they\'d never try, But they want to shake my hand, Because I\'m the cave diving guy.

  39. Rated 5 out of 5

    G-Tek-Cave

    Super professional and passionate about diving I had a fantastic time at Blue Life doing mi Full Cave Diver certification with Frank and many fun dives in caves after. He was an excellent instructor, very motivational, safety minded and extremely knowledgeable. I want to recommend his operation at all levels, Karla and the other staff members are very friendly and helpful too and made me feel like family all the time. I saw them in action taking very good care of other customers too and they were all very happy with the service. The dive equipment is top of the line and in excellent condition and Frank knows a lot about it, his tips about equipment setup and use were very valuable. I was very happy too with the choice of dive sites every day of the course and also after for the fun dives, actually I was feeling so inspired by the whole experience that I turned into a writer during those days. Frank was also very good about making videos with my own camera all the time so now I have a lot of memories of this wonderful experience. I will definetely come back for more!

  40. Rated 5 out of 5

    Webmoment

    Another Perspective This is my second review of Blue Life. The first was about several days of guided cenote dives, this is about a day spent with Frank training on my sidemount rig. The briefings for the guided dives felt like training and the training session felt like a complete course. I really cannot express strongly enough what a consummate professional Frank Gutierrez is. When I get around to my Cavern course, I will know where to go. The thing is, he really loves to teach, this is more than a job to him and it shows. Thanks again for everything, Frank and Karla, I will be seeing you again soon!

  41. Rated 5 out of 5

    Michael O

    Cave Diving with Blue Life This is my second time diving with Blue Life. I was introduced to cenote diving in December 2013 through Pete at Blue Life; we spent a week diving caverns together and I was hooked. I returned mid-april for Frank\'s Full Cave course. I have been diving for 14 years and have been on swim teams in high school and college. I have always felt as relaxed in the water as on a beach. Frank changed all this--the first 8 days of the course were enormously frustrating, exhausting and made me feel like I didn\'t even know how to swim. The experience was humbling and very challenging, to say the least. Cave diving is a serious activity and Frank didn\'t sugar coat his critiques and pushed me to perform to the best of my abilities. At the same time, Frank knew when to step back and throw in some jokes and fun times. By day 8, with 2 days left in the course, everything started coming together. Navigation, laying line, and the many other technical demands of cave diving began to feel more natural and my confidence increased so that by our graduation I was ready to cave dive and handle a variety of situations underwater. Frank\'s training is very tough and he is a straight-shooter when he needs to be and that is what I expect from a cave diving instructor. That being said, I couldn\'t imagine a better instructor to have and we had great time throughout the course as well as spending a few days cave diving afterwards. I always felt safe with Frank and I had a great time hanging out with him and Karla. They even took me out for my birthday dinner!! The bonds you create with your fellow cave divers cannot be understated. I feel like Frank is a true friend and I can\'t wait to get back diving with him again! I would highly recommend Frank, Karla, Pete and Blue Life. And yes, you will have an AMAZING life experience.

  42. Rated 5 out of 5

    Irvings W

    Full Cave Course, a winner ***** Undertaking full cave training is a testing, but rewarding experience for any diver, no matter how much experience they have. Taking the course at Blue Life was a decision I am extremely happy about. The training was very thorough, yet really enjoyable and really satisfying. I am a much better diver because of it. Frank is a fantastic cave instructor and brings to the table a depth of knowledge that can only come from vast experience and open mindedness to new solutions. If you are shopping around for cave training, you can stop right here, as Blue Life will give you everything you need to go on and become a superstar cave diver.

  43. Rated 5 out of 5

    Andrew B

    Living the 100+ 5 star reviews unbelievable right? Wrong. There is one reason Blue Life only have 5 star reviews, because they deserve them. My journey for a Full Cave Instructor began 8 months ago, looking for a company or individual that would be willing and capable of giving me the guidance and instruction needed to become a certified cave diver. It was around 6 months ago I found Blue Life on ScubaBoard.com and contacted Frank. From the very first reply to my long winded email, (response within 24hours) I had answers to all of my questions with detail and understanding. For me it was important to choose an instructor who I connected with and had a similar personality. I did not base my choice of Instructor on which certification agency they are with. I will always learn a lot more from a like minded instructor than the minimal course content differences offered by varies agencies, TDI, NACD, IANTD by choosing an instructor based on agency alone. Within days I had my TDI cavern and cave material and exams and over the following months leading into my trip, Frank was always assisting with questions or concerns I had with the material. Fast forward to April 2014 and I found myself in Playa del Carmen day one of my course. Frank had all the specific equipment that I required, (at no extra hire cost) and away we went, head first into theory and land based drills. I have been diving for 3 years, PADI Rescue with 150ish dives and felt comfortable underwater. This course is where my comfort level was blown out of the water and pushed every single one of my limits; buoyancy, trim, propulsion, teamwork, awareness, communication, no visibility and gas sharing drills and so on. Over the following 7 days Frank and I spent well over 800 minutes in the water where we worked our way through the course, and where more of my attention or skill was required, Frank focused on them with professionalism and respect, generating a real sense of confidence in me. I then finished my course and Frank and I spent 4 days diving as buddies in some of the most beautiful caves in the area, and it is here Frank and I connected as divers and the enjoyment of the caves really came through. Frank was nothing short of perfect with his training and mentoring in and out of the water. If you don\'t like people answering your question with another question go elsewhere, because Frank will not always provide the answer for you, rather he will make you rethink everything you ever knew about diving, and in doing so, create a much more aware and confident diver when you work through your original question. Whether you want to do a open water courses, a Tec course or caves, Frank and his team will cater for your expectations, equipment and skill level, from one on one to group sessions. Blue Life (Frank, Pete and Karla) are three incredible people who do not use the word \"no.\" Nothing is too hard or too difficult and they spend their day making sure your day is the best it possibly can be. Without question I would recommend anyone use Blue Life for their scuba diving training or diving holiday. You will not be disappointed. Frank and Karla, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the incredible experience you provided for me and the life long memories of the beautiful Cenotes and training you gave. See you in Australia.

  44. Rated 5 out of 5

    David T

    Frank is the best! First of all, our instructor Sebastain was great. very patient and knowledgeable. And Frank was determined we not only learned but also got a chance to enjoy cavern diving. I will and have recommended Blue Life

  45. Rated 5 out of 5

    Marc P

    Amazing experience I\'m a moderately-experienced diver, always looking for new challenges and opportunities to expand my skill sets, and since I was going to the best place in the world for cave diving, I figured it was the perfect time to give it a shot. I had read a lot about cave diving, and was tempted to test the waters, although not without some trepidation, so I signed up for a cavern course. In the end, I got more than I asked for, but all of which is what I really wanted--not only did I get a solid foundation in cavern diving, but also sidemount diving, and over the course of three days I even completed a not-insubstantial portion of the intro to cave course. Frank is a great instructor; even though we were doing something that most people, including many certified divers, would balk at, I felt completely safe the whole time, and, by the end, was confident in the skills I\'d learned. The last dive, which I took with my team on the cavern side of Taj Ma Ha\', was perhaps the best of my life so far. I am already looking forward to returning and completing the intro to cave course, and eventually getting full cave certification.

  46. Rated 5 out of 5

    KjettaC

    Unforgettable scenery with reliable tuition To experience the underwater world in the \"sink holes\" of Mexican jungle is a very exotic and cultural way of diving, its like nothing else! We chose Blue Life diving because of Frank\'s reputation in the diving society and by recommendation from his previous students. Our courses gave us new in-depth view of how to dive caverns with sidemount and we appreciated the high level of professionalism. We will for sure come back to dive the cenotes again, that tells a lot about our diving experience with Blue Life.

  47. Rated 5 out of 5

    Jeff R

    An Amazing Instructor... Before choosing a cave diving instructor, I asked several highly respected experts in the field; Frank at Blue Life was the unanimous answer. He is an amazing instructor who takes pride in his students and his methods of teaching. This was truly one of the best and most educational courses that I have ever taken in 20 years of diving. I will certainly return to Frank for my technical diving courses in the near future.

  48. Rated 5 out of 5

    Neddy_12

    Blue Life = BOSS cave diving! Just finished my full cave with Frank and it was nothing short of one of the best experiences I\'ve ever had in my life. Frank\'s passion for training divers in awareness is incredible, without a doubt its the most important factor in safe cave diving. Not to mention he is also an absolute legend! He actually said I was one of the most boss divers he\'s ever had the pleasure of teaching.

  49. Rated 5 out of 5

    Fturrent

    Jaw-dropping experience I\'m quite skeptical when it comes to courses, specially when it involves something as delicate as diving, but let me tell you that Frank exceeded my expectations both as an instructor and a friend. You can tell right away that he is a person that loves teaching a as well as scuba diving, which makes him one hell of an instructor. I had such a great time with Frank and Karla that I\'m definitely going back to get my cavern certification later on this year.

  50. Rated 5 out of 5

    Sebastian U

    Advance Nitrox and Decompression Procedures I did the advance nitrox and decompression procedures course with Frank and Blue Life, the outcome and experience was great. Frank is extremely knowledgeable and prepared, qualities that made my learning experience extremely easy going and enjoyable. Frank\'s love for diving, was contagious and I look forward to continue my diving education with Blue Life and Frank. soon I hope I can go for my Trimix, cave and Sidemount certifications. I Highly recommend Frank and Blue Life.

  51. Rated 5 out of 5

    Eduardo L

    Miami Advance Nitrox and Decompression Procedures So me and 2 other friends of mine did both Advance Nitrox and Deco procedures with Blue Life. Initially when i began my search for a technical diving instructor i turned to online dive community forums to search for someone that was competent and skilled at the level of diving i wanted to do and did it at a frequent basis. i interviewed Frank Gutierrez about doing the class and knew i found the guy. From the before the beginning of the class Frank has been laying down great deals of information and answered all the questions i could possible have asked him. Scheduling the class was also very smooth even when trying to match 4 peoples schedules (class was not done on vacation). I felt the Frank had structured the class according to our needs as divers as well as the type of diving we had available in our area. He also made understanding the course marital theory and dive planing very easy and helped us out when we would make mistakes. In addition, he also provides real world experiences with the procedures taught in the class. Pointing out things that seem minor or trivial that have the potential of becoming problematic. From the start to the end of the class there was a drastic improvement in our ability to do the dives and all the task loading. Take a look at the before and after dive profiles i attached, notice the improvement in controlling deco stops and accent rates. Overall, im am very pleased with my experience with Frank and Blue Life, and feel that I defiantly took a lot of useful information from the class that will help me take my diving to new levels and accomplish future goals. Im very much looking forward to do more training with Frank. Hopefully Cave and Sidemount ;)

  52. Rated 5 out of 5

    EckoNZ

    The most incredible dive op. We found Blue Life (Frank and Karla) through the ScubaBoard forum. It began simply with us asking questions about diving in the area and they were kind enough to offer their experiences and local knowledge. We decided based on the prompt and genuine replies that we would dive with Blue Life. After more than a month of email correspondence prior to heading to Mexico we had everything planned out thanks to their excellent communication skills and dedication to their business and passion. We were incredibly happy with all of our cenote and ocean dives and couldn\'t imagine doing it with anybody else. We did have one small issue arise which was not Blue Life\'s fault - despite this, they still made every effort to accommodate us and ensure that our trip and memory of diving in Mexico was nothing less than it should have been - Incredible. After diving with Blue Life we have also decided that when we decide to do our Cave certifications we will not even consider doing it through anyone else. Blue Life\'s dedication to safety and their veteran experience in the field makes them the obvious choice. Thank you for a memorable trip and we look forward to seeing you in the future. T and N

  53. Rated 5 out of 5

    sunbearOttawa

    Exercise in Humility The first thing one would notice, is that all the reviews are Excellent. The reason, is that the service, training and professional attitude are all \"Excellent\". Two months ago, Frank was not part of the names that I associated with the diving community. Through a mutual FB friend, I saw that Frank was offering a Cave course during the same time period that I was going to be in Mexico. Confirming with Andy Philips, I was told that I would not be in better hands for any level of training. The first part of my trip was to take the Side Mount Instructors course and 5 days later my training in Humility started. All in a positive way. I am a PADI instructor, I have certified many students from beginner to Instructor level. I also have over 3000 dives. Did I know how to dive, I thought I did? I can hover, do tank drills, swim, and stay stationary in one spot. Yes I can. The problem started when Frank asked me to do it all, at the same time, without thinking about it. This became my training in Humility. I had to overcome my inherent confidence that I thought I was doing everything right. Anyone that has trained with Frank, knows Frank\'s \"look\". But it is OK, despite his \"LOOK\" Frank is patient, all so patient. With his calm demeanor, he helps you sort out your problems, lets you have your temper tantrums, but he will not let you quit. Am I a better diver? You bet I am. It is all because Frank is great instructor, he ranks up there with the best. Along with being a top notch instructor, Frank provides top level service. I was staying in a hotel located in Playa del Carmen, without question, Frank picked me up every day at my hotel and returned me safe and sound. Never was there a complaint about the distance that he drove every day. Would I go back to Mexico and train with Blue life and Frank? In a heart beat. Every day, I dream and relive my experiences while taking Cave training. After I completed the Intro to Cave, Frank let me tag along and do some full Cave training. It is only that I ran out of time that I had to postpone the completion of Full Cave. Any one looking for a compressive, detailed, competent and Excellent Training, look no further. Things a person needs to know about an instructor: is the instructor competent, is that person respected by the industry, does that person practice his trade, does that person dive for fun? With respect to Frank, I can answer Yes, to all of the above. Frank, thank-you and I look forward to completing my training.

  54. Rated 5 out of 5

    Casey C

    Wouldn\'t dive with anyone else This was my second year coming down to Mexico and cave diving with Frank/Blue Life, this trip was even better than the last! Last year I did my full cave course, by the end of the course you\'ll feel completely at home in a cave (and prepared if you ever find yourself in a cave emergency). This year we got to visit some recently explored/opened caves as well as take some of the less traveled routes in more popular caves. Frank runs a fantastic operation, all of his equipment is well maintained and clean, his instruction is incredibly thorough, and he is very well respected and active in the cave diving community. Frank knows the cave systems in the Yucatan like the back of his hand, but he is always willing to try a new site instead of taking you to a busy cave. Frank is also incredibly accommodating, he is willing to work the schedule around your needs. Once you\'ve finished diving for the day, Frank is always willing to grab a beer and swap dive stories.

  55. Rated 5 out of 5

    rick00001967

    another 5 star review......shocking !! i tried so hard to come up with some negative thoughts for this review because i am so tired of reading about how great blue life is and how wonderful frank is.......but i just couldn\'t do it. it\'s all true. this year i had no choice but to return to mexico. another year older and hopefully a little bit wiser. frank begged and pleaded with me so much to come back and visit (lol) that i just couldn\'t put him off any longer. so back i went. and i am so glad i did. i spent a nice afternoon with ceasar who led me on a couple of great dives at chac mool and then the next two days training one on one with frank. i managed to complete my cavern course and to get a small taste of diving side mount. both days were awesome and even more satisfying than i could have expected. thanks to anders for putting up with me during my intro to side mount. i am sure diving with a rookie like myself was not exactly high on your \"to do\" list so i appreciate your participation. on more a serious note.....i really need to sincerely thank frank for his patience and support not only during my time in playa this year but over the past year as well. i learned last year how knowledgeable and dedicated an instructor you are, but this year i also got to see how genuine a guy you are and it was a pleasure getting to know you a bit better. thank you for everything my friend. you will stick with me where ever my future diving leads me

  56. Rated 5 out of 5

    Chris M

    Full Cave Course Blue life is a highly professional dive operation, they offed exactly what I wanted which was a bespoke service to fit in with my needs and schedule. I would not hesitate to recommend blue life for diving in the region. Great job thanks guys.

  57. Rated 5 out of 5

    Stuart R

    PERFECT DIVING EXPERIENCE. Will be back ASAP. Frank was recommended by an instructor at Aquanauts in Plymouth UK. I did TDI Cavern and TDI Sidemount courses and couldn\'t be happier. The standard of pre-course material was excellent and given to me in plenty of time to complete before my holiday. Once there Frank came to meet me at my hotel before the first days diving, which was well above expectations. On the first day of diving Frank consolidated the pre-course material on the way to the cenote which lead perfectly onto the equipment setup and first dives. WOW, the clarity of the water and the amazing formations were beyond my expectations. The cenote was not one of the more \"touristy\" locations so was therefore not busy and was in amazing condition. The other two days of diving were in equally beautiful locations. The diving itself was ramped up to include more problems to deal with, even in a blacked out mask. Frank\'s teaching method is not to intrusive and he actively encourages you to solve the problems yourself, never giving a \"best method\" to rectify what\'s gone wrong. Me and my girlfriend are already planning our next summer holiday to include either Mexico or Florida just to do more diving with Blue Life. I will be back and highly recommend them. MANY THANKS

  58. Rated 5 out of 5

    Ken Cross

    Blue Life is a great dive company Blue Life is a great dive company. I did my diving with them out of Tulum Mexico. I talked to Frank about my goals and cave diving. He offered good advice about coming down, what gear to bring and presented a custom diving plan for me. Definitely he is experienced and professional. I started intro to cave diving with a \"one on one\" class. This was demanding for me, and to be honest I needed a little time to work with my skills before I was ready to become a full cave diver. After I completed Intro to Cave Diving, we worked out a plan to prepare me for the \"next level\". I met up with Blue life three weeks later - after I mastered my skills. I completed - Full Cave Diver with 2 other divers. Again this was demanding but well worth it. My buoyancy, trim, propulsion techniques, awareness, and team skills have advanced well beyond where I started. My advice to future Cave Divers - 1)Contact Blue Life 2)Make a plan 3)Get in the water. Remember anyone can go into caves - but only a properly trained \"Cave Diver\" comes out every time. Learn to do it right -Start here!

  59. Rated 5 out of 5

    Sophie W

    Best Birthday Experience Ever I told my husband that I wanted to do cavern diving for my birthday. I had heard that Mexico was the best place to do this because the cenotes around Tulum were supposed to be super amazing. I also love taking under-water photos and I wished to take a few photos to cherish the memory. After a lot of research, I found a reputable diving company via the PADI website, who then went on to recommend Frank to us. At the time, we decided to kill 2 birds with one stone, to do the Speciality Diver course in Cavern Diver and enjoy cavern diving. We were in contact with Frank via email at the beginning and he was very knowledgable in advising what courses were available, how long it would take, the reading material we would need to do and subsequent online test. He even recommended Side Mount as an option and we decided to do that too. We were sent a little video on how to practice on our buoyancy prior to our arrival as we only had a few days in Mexico so a lot of pre-prep work was required eliminating unnecessary class room time and maximising on hands-on in the water experience. Frank was able to tailor our course over 3-4 days and also helped me to take a photo of this very special experience, allowing me to also stop once in a while to take a photo quickly whilst on our strict training. We started off with training just the 2 of us, then a 3rd person joined which made the training experience even more challenging and fun. Frank is a very patient and calm teacher, but he is no softy and makes you work for the answers and solutions, he also has a wicked sense of humour and is very generous with his time. He went beyond our expectations and picked us up every morning, hand picking some of the best and most beautiful cenotes for our training, and took us to a great local place for drinks and the biggest bowl of ceviche I have ever seen. He even went as far as getting us a bottle of this local tequila that we wanted and hand delivered it to our hotel. We were so touched as it was a hell of a long drive back. My advice is that you do need a thick full length wet suit and your rash vest as it does get super cold in there, but do bring your own mask and fins. And a hat for when Frank does the verbal training above water. It is disgustingly hot before you go in the cave in full gear but once in the water it is a sweet relief. The experience was everything I thought it would be, I was amazed how different it was to swim in salt water to rain water in a matter of seconds. The light that shone through the cave ceiling holes looked like UFO beams coming down from the sky with loads of cat fishes swimming around. It was totally amazing. We came away with more qualifications than I thought we would and I am very proud to say we are now certified as: 1. Sidemount Diver (TDI) Cavern Diver (TDI) Sidemount (Padi) Cavern Diver (Padi) Sidemount Diver (SDI) I would highly recommend Blue Life and Frank as your trainer, AND PERSONALLY THANK FRANK for the best ever birthday experience.

  60. Rated 5 out of 5

    LCripps

    Nowhere better! So I just completed the Cavern/Sidemount training with Frank in Tulum Mexico. I i must say that it was one of the most rewarding courses of my diving so far! I was the only person taking the course at the time and The Instructor went above and beyond to make sure that I understood the materials and worked on my skills. His style of teaching is set to make the student understand the material fully, instead of simply answering my questions Frank made me work out the problems for myself, because of this my personal problem solving skills have improved dramatically along with some key skills. Boyancy is a focus of this course and it needs to be approached with an open mind and an approach that you can always learn. On the whole i\'d highly reccomend this course and the progressions thereof, your skills and diving will be much the better for it! Many thanks to Frank and Blue Life

  61. Rated 5 out of 5

    vladounet

    Impeccable experience! Frank & his team are A+ instructors. I just did a side-mount & cavern diver course with them, but I ended up with much more than what I paid for: their first-hand experience in cave diving and big bag of tech tricks on how to improve your equipment (safely attach equipement to remain streamlined, minimize entanglement risk, etc.). No matter what Frank does (e.g. fixing a broken reg) he will share it with you, even if it\'s not related to your course. You\'re not paying for a plastic card, but for education. This means that it\'ll take what it takes to get certified, and more importantly, they wouldn\'t let you do a course (or bring you in any cave) without being sure you\'re ready (which tells you about the importance of safety for them!). They are all what you expect about a dive center (unfortunately not many centers do have that): friendly, professional, flexible, experienced, safe, and especially fun! So I fully endorse them and agree with other reviewers as well! Even if you can find cheaper alternatives around here, I\'d rather not being cheap with my own life! So if you value yours too, go with them!

  62. Rated 5 out of 5

    Celia R

    Great instructor, great learning, amazing experience. I had planned a trip to Tulum and was really interested in diving some Cenotes, I had asked around other divers I knew and got recommended Frank. I contacted him and he gave me a thorough explanation from everything from diving the caverns to information on his intro to cave and full cave course. What can I say, once I read his email I was convinced on the beauty\'s and thrill it was to take his full cave course. I signed up right away and haven\'t regretted a moment since. He was super professional and fun. I really enjoyed his teaching style: he kept you on your toes and taught you ways to be safe and calm. Every moment with him was a learning experience, first thing in the morning on the way to pick up tanks he was talking about information that was necessary and relevant to the day\'s dive. I enjoyed almost every minute with him, excluding some in cave safety drills that sure got your heart beating, although that being said they were necessary and afterwards a huge learning experience in trying to stay calm in case of problems that can arise in a cave. I finished my full cave course with confidence and went on some fun dives with him after. Even though the course had finished he would still give me pointers to allow me to excel to my potential. Not only did I have fun, but I am now a certified cave diver!!! Thanks Frank I\'ll be coming back for more!

  63. Rated 5 out of 5

    OssieStewart

    A remarkable experience I did my cavern course, Intro to Cave and Full Cave courses with Frank at Blue Life. First of all on a practical level all of the courses were run and managed brilliantly in terms of time management, gear, variety and choice of dive sites, and logistics. All my emails prior to arriving were answered thoroughly on the day they were sent, personally by Frank. It is the level of Instruction that really stands out however, not only is Frank an excellent cave diver, but he is a natural teacher. As a student you benefit from his ability to lead you to find the answers yourself - it really is not \'teaching by numbers\'. The result is more meaningful journey where you learn about cave diving of course - way beyond the minimum requirements for the course, but also a lot about yourself along the way. My courses were really a remarkable experience, which I am very happy to have had, and sad to have finished! I can\'t recommend the diving and instruction with Blue Life highly enough, I plan to come and take more courses with them when I next have some time off.

  64. Rated 5 out of 5

    Julz36

    So...... You The Cave and Tech diving market in Playa is Saturated..... Go and have a look for your self. I assure you, you will find from supper expensive, to unbelievable deals. After much time in taxis, and getting lost along the streets walking. Going to shops that seemed promising(on the net and phone), to find them closed when i arrived.... for siesta i imagine. I did the research, and this is my conclusion. The bottom line is, you \"Generally\" get what you pay for. I feel i got a bit more actually. From my first meeting with Frank (owner of Blue Life) and Marce(owner of Tank Ha), I felt I had finally found what I had been looking for. People who took them selves and their business seriously. Not just on the net where your www design team can produce grand images and your DMT\'s (dive master trainee\'s) can answer the mail a.s.a.p whith the what you tell them too. All my contact had been directly with them. As i had been lead to Frank thru Marce. I have been teaching a variety of P.A.D.I courses since 2007. I have Started to work as a videographer for 3 months prior to my Cave course. I have grown up in the ocean surfing, diving, free diving, and spear fishing. I have well over 3000 dives. I honestly thought that I could dive before I started this course. I honestly thought my buoyancy was very very good(teaching what i new to others) and that i was maybe part fish. Or at least so in touch with the water element from the extensive time i had spent in it since a child. But i was wrong....... Frank showed me what buoyancy really is. how to truly control and be aware of the situations you find your self in, while diving. This is the most challenging and humbling course i have done in water. I has Given me such awareness in all aspects of water sports. as well as refined all the techniques i use everyday. i do feel rather naked with regular scuba now. but my shots have become so steady as a videographer. my style has been eco styled! As I nave no need to push back or steady my self on a piece of reef to get my shot. most people have a great way of teaching, getting you to tick all the boxes and comply with all the standards. As dose Frank. But i really liked the way that when we started to get close to that, he would just create so many more boxes(from his experience with exploring so many un known caves) to tick. He wont answers all you questions, but make you think about why you just asked. Then he will answer you with a question very similar. and when you have shown you have really tried to answer your own question and cant..... That is when Frank will step up, and polish you to been a true gem in the water. One that can not only fix problems with your eyes closed. But he will show you how to prevent those problems. keeping you and your team safe in the water. He works with the most active explorers in the region. His buddies desighn and produce cave equipment. Dam fine equipment too. I do hope this post will help you in your search. Good luck and be safe in the water where ever you go. Julian van Heerden

  65. Rated 5 out of 5

    capncutt

    An adventure and experience, never to be matched... I came to Playa del Carmen determined to start my TDI Full Cave Course with only the best the world had to offer, I knew I was going to find exactly what I was looking for under Franks steady and professional instruction. He provided a learning atmosphere that is unparalleled to anything I have experienced before. Not only does he drive you to succeed but makes you aware that no one wants you to succeed more than he does. Proving this by going above and beyond his professional requirements to make sure you are exactly where you need to be, what your limitations are and how to safely progress. The course is challenging but you always have a strong sense of support from Frank and your fellow peers. It\'s a binding environment where lasting relationships are usually formed. Taking the course was a truly rewarding experience that I will use as the building blocks for many of my future endeavors. The training of this particular course (I used sidemount) coupled with Franks guidance will make even a novice diver into an exemplary diver. You are constantly learning new ways to navigate and explore a rare and exciting underwater world that most will never get to master or truly relish without the thorough training one would receive from Blue Life and Frank. Despite becoming sick (inner ear infection) and having to delay after Intro to Cave Diving, I have already planned my return trip and look forward to working again with Frank. I implore anyone with a need for adventure to pursue this course with Blue Life and be lucky enough to get the best possible training from individuals that focus on safety and are driven by genuine passion. I can personally report everything I went through was beneficial not to just my skills but as a person and I am forever grateful. I\'ve enjoyed and learned so much that I\'ve missed the beautiful cenotes, my training, friends and the city so much I can\'t stop thinking of my return and continuing this incredible journey with Frank and Blue Life :)

  66. Rated 5 out of 5

    nbostic

    Awesome cave class I\'m a recreational SCUBA instructor and have pretty high expectations when I take a class, especially after having taken a few I didn\'t think were worth my time or money. Frank\'s Full Cave Course was incredible. Not only does he take the time to make sure concepts are well explained and practical skills are refined, he pushes your limits to make you the best diver you can be. My goal/hope was to learn dive skills I didn\'t already have and this course fulfilled that desire significantly. I feel like I can confidently say I am now a better diver both in and out of the cave environment. Frank challenged my skills, explained concepts very clearly, had a great deal of patience, didn\'t baby us (we\'re learning to dive in caves, we need to be able to do this again without him) and was enjoyable to be around for the week of the course. He is knowledgable about not just the course material, but various equipment configurations, the local area and the history behind the cave systems. If you have the time and meet the prerequisites, I highly recommend taking a course from Frank because you\'ll come out a much better diver than when you started.

  67. Rated 5 out of 5

    AndersDEG

    One step closer to dive perfection During the last two years I have stayed in the Yucatan area for almost three months. There is a reason why I come back again and again. Frank is surely one of them reasons. Having previously encountered Frank on the island of Utila during my open water instructor course I knew he was a safe bet for diving lessons. I did my sidemount course, and some portion of the cave course with him. For more than ten days of diving, I was in the water with Frank every day and there wasnt a time i felt he was the wrong guy. He is knowledgable, friendly and patient. He took the time to stay in the water to perfect our skills to either we were freezing or our air ran out. Every day we went to different diving locations and every day I learned something new. On my spare time he picked the best local restaurants in town and invited me home to his house for private and intimate (I can assure you its not what you are thinking) diving lessons. I especially enjoyed that he took the time to show your mistakes and successes in the water using video. That is something I rarely see instructors do these days. Having worked in the dive industry for a couple of years you will learn that there are both bad and good instructors out there. The reason i choose to recommended Frank as an instructor to my friends is that I am sure he will not let you down. I know for sure that I will do more courses should our paths cross again. I would not hesitate to recommend Frank and Blue Life for all your diving needs.

  68. Rated 5 out of 5

    MichelK511

    Excellent and fabulous When I planned my trip to Mexico, I was recommended Frank from a friend. I did not have any specific plan for my stay, but thru guidance and great patience from Frank, he set me up with lodgings and put up with all my indecisions. I finally ended up deciding to take a sidemount course with him, and he is really excellent and knowledgable instructor. He has a both laid back and no-nonsense way of teaching. I also decided to take the cavern course, and unfortunately he did not have time to do this with me, but he organized Mauro to complete this with me. Overall I could not be more happy with both instructors training methods. Frank, Mauro and Cris has a vast knowledge of the area and cenotes, and I feel really lucky they shared these experiences with me. I surely will not forget it. Hopefully I will get the chance to come back to Playa and take my full cave course with them.

  69. Rated 5 out of 5

    mhbeach

    Absolute Top Notch Having lived in the Caribbean for 13 years, I do enjoy a bubble. Branching out and taking the TDI Full Cave Course with Frank is beyond your wildest imaginations. Frank is extremely thorough and detailed, and goes consistently above and beyond the minimum required to ensure that you are not only capable but also comfortable. He will put in the time and energy needed to get you to where you want to be (and where he knows you need to be). He loves what he does and he does what he loves; that is clear. Cave diving requires a lot of focus and dedication, which describe Frank to a T. During the course, I made a point to talk to as many professionals as possible about the cenotes and Frank hands-down came out on top as far as professionalism combined with passion. I can\'t recommend enough after completing your course to sign up for as many recreational cave dives as your time and money allow....there is no surer way to cement your training and to truly appreciate what you have just accomplished. Cristobal and Frank make a great team and once you finish the course and can fun dive with them is where the real adventure begins. Cristobal has just as much fun if not more than you, which cannot be said for the majority of dive guiding professionals! Cave diving is not for the faint of heart but Frank will get you there no matter your inhibitions or reservations. He not only makes it look easy but eventually, feel easy. Blue Life is flexible and eager to please, listening to what you want to make suggestions catered to your abilities and interests. Frank\'s interest and knowledge about the caves adds so much to the practical application as well. Don\'t hesitate; life is too short to miss this amazing experience!

  70. Rated 5 out of 5

    Beatriz Y

    Great experience, great team Me and my boyfriend went to Playa to take our Intro to Cave and Sidemount Diving Courses. We chose the Blue Life Team since we knew Frank was a great instructor. Our stay was very well organized, laid back and challenging. Diving cenotes is amazing, but it makes the difference if your instructor is, patient, demanding and professional. We learned a lot and enjoyed Playa\'s life and people, I\'d recomend it to anyone ready for a new diving experience. Thanks, Blue Life Team!

  71. Rated 5 out of 5

    AlbertoSotelo

    Dives of our lives at Blue Life My girlfriend and I got to Playa del Carmen and felt very comfortable and welcomed at Blue Life. The crew are very professional and experienced while still being amiable and friendly. Frank Gutierrez accommodated our needs by creating a schedule to suit us. After discussing what we wanted to see and experience he recommended and guided in Cenotes that were AMAZING! Cenote Angelita, Dream Gate Cenote , Pet Cemetery, Taj Mahal Cenote. We felt so relaxed and comfortable that we decided to stay longer and I decided to do the cavern course with him. The training was top notch, the best I could have received anywhere. Frank not only gave me a personalized cavern training but also gave me training in other important aspects of diving. I am looking forward to go back and do a full cave diving course a Blue Life.

  72. Rated 5 out of 5

    Sarah P

    Amazing experience with the best instruction! I had been living and working in Tulum as a divemaster for a few months and had no intentions of doing my cave course until the following year until I went up to see Frank and Cristobal of Blue Life. They took me on a few cavern dives and made me feel extremely comfortable and secure, so much so that I agreed to be Frank\'s first solo Cavern and Intro to Cave student, all on sidemount which is relatively new in cave training. It was truly a life changing experience as I felt challenged in a way I never have in scuba diving, psychologically, physically and emotionally. Frank is very good at what he does, he is simultaneously tough and nuturing and goes out of his way to make sure his students become proficient and comfortable with everything they are doing. I finished my Full Cave course with Mauro Bourdigon and Frank assisting and did some incredible dives, the highlight probably being two dives in Xunaan Ha, which was my first time in pretty small cave and included getting totally silted out intentionally by Mauro and losing Frank at a T intersection. With Frank and Mauro\'s training I remained (fairly) calm and was able to control the situation efficiently. Frank is one of the best instructors I have ever had the pleasure to train with. The whole team at Blue Life are amazing instructors and also are always down for a few beers post dive. I had a blast with them and will definitely be back soon!

  73. Rated 5 out of 5

    Rlingsma

    Best training ever! I did multiple course with Bluelife (Frank), TEC40, sidemount and intro to cave I am a scuba instructor myself but I can honestly say that I learned a lot about diving from Frank! He is a great guy and is really passionate about making you a better diver he really gets you to a different level. If you are considering learning to dive or improve your dive skills or start TEC or CAVE look no further!!!! I personally would not go anywhere else if I wanted to get some more training.

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