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Dive Paradise: In a Class of Its Own

This Cozumel dive shop is second to none when it comes to extraordinary experiences and customer service.
By Scuba Diving Partner | Created On February 14, 2022
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Dive Paradise: In a Class of Its Own

A scuba diver swimming in the ocean by coral.

Create your own itinerary based on Cozumel's extensive diving possibilities.

Courtesy of Aquarella Images

Dive Paradise is much beloved by its frequent return guests for its unmatched fleet of boats, departure times and special trips. Guests are able to custom-design their scuba vacation, from what kind of Cozumel diving they’d like to experience to how they spend their surface intervals. From Discover Scuba Diving experiences to thrilling underwater adventures, and from fishing charters to mainland cenote dives, whale shark swims and jungle excursions, Dive Paradise has a varied and wide selection of action-packed activities to fill your vacation. Whether you’re traveling solo, with family and friends, or with a large group, the reservations team can also arrange beachside or in-town accommodations for every taste and budget — including an all-inclusive resort, small hotel or comfortable condo. Dive Paradise’s approach to customer service is at the heart of everything it does and offers.

Like any well-established, family-run business, the owners of Dive Paradise want to preserve its legacy and also promote next-generation ingenuity to build on its legendary reputation. Opened in 1984, Dive Paradise was owned by Renee “Apple” Applegate from 1994 until 2017. Today, it is still owned by Apple’s family and is under the leadership of her nephew, Michael Penwarden.

“For some people, Dive Paradise is almost synonymous with diving on Cozumel because it’s been part of the island for so long,” Michael says. Indeed, a high number of loyal customers return to the island year after year and trust Dive Paradise to provide a safe, fun and hassle-free dive vacation.

The new generation of Dive Paradise leadership has been investing in improvements, including eliminating plastic bottles on the boats, installing upgraded outboard engines and sun shades on fast boats, adding adventure excursions to their menu of options, and establishing a reservations team in the United States.

“We take care of reservations and logistics stateside, so that by the time you get to the island, all that’s been handled,” says Michael. “Making sure our customer service experience is as strong as possible has been a big part of our focus. Dive Paradise can serve as concierge for your entire Cozumel adventure.”

Two people jumping off a boat

Dive Paradise takes your fun seriously so you can relax and enjoy your vacation!

Courtesy of Aquarella Images

One-Stop Shop

Dive Paradise has the largest and most varied fleet of dive boats on the island, including boats that can accommodate larger groups and smaller fast boats that take anywhere from six to 10 passengers. “If you want to spend the day diving with 25 of your closest friends, we can make that happen,” says Michael. “If you want to go super intimate with a private charter with just your spouse, we can also make that happen.”

Dive Paradise has also added non-diving experiences to its offerings. “If you want to snorkel with whale sharks, do a jungle adventure on the mainland or dive a cenote, we can coordinate that for you,” Michael says.

What Makes Cozumel Special

Year after year, Cozumel stands out in Scuba Diving Magazine’s annual Readers Choice Awards, and 2021 was no exception. In the Caribbean/Atlantic region, Mexico placed in every category and took home the No. 1 spot in Best Cave/Cavern Diving and Best Advanced Diving; and placed second in Best Overall Dive Destination and Best Value.

“A lot of things make Cozumel really special, but one of the things that makes it truly amazing is that it is a world-class dive destination that’s really easy for people to get to,” says Michael. “It’s a backyard playground for a lot of divers in the United States. Then there’s the magical blend of Mexican hospitality and culture with Caribbean beauty. The water is breathtaking and beautiful. The marine life is abundant.”

The coral reef that wraps around the island is part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. “Depending on what you want, there are different dive spots that can give you great depth and wall diving, others that are shallow, some that are more in the current so you get good drift diving, and some that are more protected depending on conditions,” Michael says. “We really have an abundance of riches.”

A sea turtle swimming in the ocean.

Experience the abundant marine life in Cozumel with Dive Paradise.

Courtesy of Aquarella Images

Protecting What They Love

The new generation of Dive Paradise is continuing and reinvigorating the company’s long-standing commitment to protecting Cozumel’s underwater treasures. They are working with the scientific community to make sure Dive Paradise remains a good steward of the ocean and develops programs that will allow people to connect on a deeper level to coral reefs and in turn become passionate about their conservation.

Location, Location, Location

Dive Paradise has a waterfront main office and two beach locations, at Cozumel Resort and Club de Playa Villablanca. The hotel shops have private gear lockers and seaside docks for dive boat pickups and drop-offs. Playa Villablanca is also where Dive Paradise hosts sunset parties for their guests. “We pick them up at their hotel and bring them over by boat,” Michael says. “Our staff makes a home-cooked taco meal while guests enjoy the sunset. It’s a beautiful place.”

Cozumel and Dive Paradise are the perfect combination for divers who are ready to plan their next dive vacation to a destination that’s world-class, very close and affordable.

Click here to start your adventure now with Dive Paradise

Contact Information:

Phone: 1-855-798-5300

Email: reservations@diveparadise.com

Website: diveparadise.com