Whether you're a recreational diver or stepping into technical diving, sidemount is a powerful upgrade to your diving skills.
Based in Tulum, I offer private and small-group sidemount training across the Mexican Caribbean and Turtle Bay. I choose dive sites based on the best conditions for your skill level and goals.
What You'll Learn
Sidemount gear configuration & trim adjustment
Mastering neutral buoyancy in sidemount setup
Gas management and switching techniques
In-water handling of sidemount tanks
Problem-solving and emergency scenarios
You'll get a mix of theory, confined water practice, and real-world diving experience.
Dive smarter, not harder
SDI/TDI Sidemount Diver
Looking to improve your diving comfort, trim, and gas management? The Sidemount Diver Course by SDI gives you the freedom to explore the underwater world in a new way — with greater flexibility, better balance, and less strain on your back.
✅ Course Overview:
2–3 days, depending on student progress.
Includes e-learning
Gear Workshops
Confined Sessions
At least two open water dives
📋 Course Requirements
SDI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent)
Comfortable underwater with basic scuba skills
Medical clearance if needed
Minimum age: 18 years, 15 with parental consent
READY TO SEE THE MAGIC?
Let me guide your safe, personal, and unforgettable exploration.
Every experience is designed for comfort, safety, and fun:
🍃 Certified Professional Guide 🤿 Full Gear Rental 🍉 Seasonal Fruit & purified water ⚠️ Environmental & Safety Briefing 📍 Visit to top-rated dive sites in the area (subject to conditions)
Additional Options Available:
Dive Computer rental (optional upgrade)
Enriched Air Nitrox (available upon request)
Transportation (subject to availability, additional cost)
Please Note: Some fees may apply depending on the specific dive location.
No surprises. Just expertly guided dives with personal attention.
❓ FAQ – Everything You Need to Know
No! I provide full sidemount equipment for the course, properly fitted and adjusted for you.
Absolutely. This course is designed for recreational divers looking to try sidemount for the first time.
I'll select the best location depending on weather, your preferences, and logistics. My base is in Tulum, but I also dive in Akumal (Turtle Bay).
Transportation from Tulum is available upon request and subject to availability with additional cost if needed.
You're welcome to bring your own underwater camera to capture memories! GoPro rental is also available subject to availability. Please note that photography policies vary by location — while open water diving allows full camera freedom, some cenotes may have restrictions or additional fees. I'll inform you of specific policies for each dive site.
Testimonials that Dive Deeper: What the Divers Love About it.
EXCELLENT
Based on 299 reviews
Posted on Google
yiying lai
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I met Alan in 2025, and diving in a cenote was an incredible experience that inspired me to learn side mount techniques.
So, I returned to Tulum, and Alan became my side mount instructor.
He’s incredibly patient and always ready to answer any questions I have.
Diving in a cenote is truly magical, with crystal-clear waters and breathtaking rock formations all around.
Alan is a fantastic dive guide, making each dive feel safe, fun, and unforgettable.
I highly recommend diving with Alan!
Posted on Google
Shiyu Tang
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We had a great time diving in a few cenotes with Alan. Alan arranged dive trips based on my preference and concerns. He also provided good recommendations of restaurants for our remaining days in Tulum and PDC. We’d definitely dive with him again when we come back to Tulum.
Posted on Google
Pablo Contreras
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Buceos buenisimos, realmente una experiencia increíble… Soy de Chile y desde el primer contacto por WhatsApp Alan fue claro en información y recomendaciones de los buceos a realizar, una vez en Tulum siempre estuvimos en contacto y pensábamos primero hacer 2 inmersiones, al final hicimos 4. Nuestro guía fue Jorge quien se mostró siempre muy amable y explicativo en casa brinfing que nos hizo. Recomiendo totalmente bucear con ellos, ya que también tuve la oportunidad de reunirnos en la noche a comer y compartir experiencias. 12 de 10 para Diving Universe Tulum
Posted on Google
K G
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Huge congratulations to Alan’s scuba club and Elisa for such a well-run and professional experience from start to finish. Everything was organized, smooth, and genuinely enjoyable.
And a special thank you to Elisa — you were absolutely amazing throughout. Your calm, reassuring approach made a real difference, especially in the key moments, and you managed to make everything feel easy and under control. You created the perfect balance between safety, learning, and enjoyment.
We couldn’t have asked for a better instructor to guide us through this and help us earn our certification. Truly appreciated.
Posted on Google
Hunor Matyas
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An amazing friendly dive center with very helpful attitude and very affordable prices. I could only recommend 😁🤙
Posted on Google
Jess D
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Alan was a superb instructor and we felt completely safe with him and the Cenote dives themselves were amazing! We had recently passed our open water and he was really helpful giving us tips about our buoyancy and trim - we have done more diving since our dives with Alan and we both felt like much more confident divers after spending a couple of days with him!
Posted on Google
Sabina VM
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Alan is a very passionate cavern diver. He can tell you anything about all the cenotes. The planning before was perfect, fast replies, all the info you need to decide which cenotes to visit. We did : Dos Ojos, Angelita and Car Wash. The diving was amazing. I absolutely recommend diving the cenotes with Alan, the personal attention is impeccable.
Posted on Google
Xueru Zhao
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I had a four-day dive and also advanced adventure diver training with Adam. The experience was really nice. Adam was very patient teaching me all the techniques, including some extra knowledge beyond the advanced adventure diver requirements.
I learned a lot from him. He also told me how to write my logbook and what information I need to be aware of.
Overall, I really enjoyed diving with him. He is responsible and patient, and I highly recommend diving with him.
Posted on Google
Lisa Newberry
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We recently did 4 days of diving with Alan - it’s hard to know what to say because every aspect was just SO GOOD! He is super lovely for a start and thinks of and notices everything. After being used to diving in SE Asia where you get your kit assembled for you, I was a little rusty but Alan was patient and did not rush us at all - this is unusual as I’ve had experiences in the passed where I’ve felt unprepared going into a dive because of being rushed.
We dived 4 different cenotes and they were all spectacular (apart from Angelita - that scared me but I’m so glad and proud I did it!) and we also did the bull shark dive in Playa del Carmen. We actively chose holidays where we have little to no chance of seeing sharks (yes I grew up with Jaws and it’s damaged me!) but we were so confident in Alan that we booked this dive and it was brilliant!
His briefings were thorough and he knows the cenotes really well so is able to tell you what you’re going to see in your briefing and then deliver in the water.
Another big thing for us is that Alan has ladies fit wetsuits! Winner! So many times we’ve had to dive in men’s fit and they just don’t fit properly!
He also picks up the best tortas for lunch!
If I could give him more stars I would! Thanks for one of the best diving holidays we’ve had Alan!
Posted on Google
Olivia H
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Alan is the best instructor and guide I’ve ever had (80+ dives around the world). He is the perfect combination of fun, safety conscious, chilled & professional. He has excellent local knowledge and I absolutely loved exploring the amazing cenotes around Tulum with him. Great kit (including women’s fit wetsuits which is rare and much appreciated), great guiding, great communication (including planning beforehand)…great dives!! 5*
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