How much does scuba diving cost in Cabo?

Your first dive, or you are already certified

You do not need a certification to try diving here, and the PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Cabo is $129 per person.

A PADI-certified instructor teaches you the basics at the surface, then guides you on up to two dives at Pelican Rock, one of Cabo's best beginner sites in the Sea of Cortez. Its listing says no experience or certification is needed.

The Cabo Scuba Diving at Land's End and the Cabo Pulmo Diving Tour are for certified divers, from $128 to $289 per person.

Land's End or Cabo Pulmo

The Land's End dives take 3 hours from the Cabo San Lucas marina, and Cabo Pulmo is a full day at $289.

We book two Land's End dives at $128. Here is what each listing says.

The Land's End dives leave at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, and you pick the time when you book.

The Cabo Pulmo Diving Tour is a full-day expedition for certified divers into Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, with two guided dives at sites like El Islote and El Bajo through waters holding over 200 fish species, coral reefs, and a historic shipwreck, led by PADI-certified guides. It leaves at 7:30 AM.

Not a diver? The Cabo Pulmo Snorkeling Expedition goes to Cabo Pulmo too, for $289 per person.

• Cabo Scuba Diving at Land's End: $128 per person, 3 hours, ages 10+. Includes: PADI-certified instructor and dive master; dive equipment; access to two dive sites at Land's End; onboard shower and bathroom; water and light refreshments.
• Scuba Diving at Land's End & The Arch: $128 per person, 3 hours, ages 10+. Includes: PADI-certified instructor and dive master; two guided dives at Land's End; water and light refreshments; onboard shower and restrooms. Not in the price: scuba equipment rental ($40 USD); dock fee ($4 USD per person); round-trip transportation (an added fee).

Getting your dive certification in Cabo

The PADI Open Water Diver Certification is $609 per person over 3 days, plus 16% IVA.

Over three days, expert instructors take you through theory, pool skills and four open-water dives in the warm Sea of Cortez.

Start the eLearning before you arrive and spend more of your trip underwater.

• PADI Open Water Diver Certification: $609 per person, 3 days, ages 10+. Includes: PADI-certified dive instructor; PADI certification card; confined-water (pool) training; four open-water dives; water and light refreshments.

What you pay on top of the dive

Checkout adds 16% IVA, so the $128 dive is $148.48 per person.

Some dives leave things out of the price. Read the list before you book:

• Scuba Diving at Land's End & The Arch: scuba equipment rental ($40 USD); dock fee ($4 USD per person); round-trip transportation (an added fee).
• PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Cabo: scuba equipment rental ($40 USD); dock fee ($4 USD per person); round-trip transportation (an added fee).
• PADI Open Water Diver Certification: scuba equipment rental ($40 USD per person); dock fee ($4 USD per person).
• Cabo Scuba Diving at Land's End: a $4 dock fee, paid in cash on the day at the dock.
• Cabo Pulmo Diving Tour: scuba equipment rental available for an extra fee.
• Tips are not included. The dives that list it suggest 15 to 20% for the crew, in cash on the day.
• Dives follow our tour rule. More than 72 hours before your trip: 75% refund. From 48 to 72 hours before: 50% refund. Under 48 hours, a no-show, arriving late, seasickness or heading back early: no refund. If the port is closed, or the captain or tour team cancels for weather or safety, we move you to a new date. If no new date works for you, you get a full refund. Light rain or choppy water that the captain calls safe is not a cancellation.