The TDI Cavern Diver course is your first serious step into overhead environments. Based on the official TDI standards, I have designed this experience to challenge your current limits and transform you into a more disciplined, technical, and aware diver.
In this course, we don't just "go for a dive." We train. I will teach you the unique hazards associated with caverns—such as silting, entanglement, and disorientation—and, more importantly, how to prevent them through superior technique.
What We Will Master?
Equipment Redundancy: Understanding why we carry backup lights and specialized gear configurations.
The Continuous Guideline: I will train you on the art of reel handling, tie-offs, and following a line in zero-visibility simulations (touch-contact).
Propulsion & Environmental Awareness: Mastering the Modified Frog Kick and Anti-Silt techniques to protect the fragile cavern environment.
Gas Management: Strict adherence to the Rule of Thirds and stress management in overhead settings.
I will personally guide you through the rigorous curriculum required by TDI.
Beyond the Open Water
TDI Cavern Diver
The overhead world begins here. Master the skills to explore the light zone with absolute confidence.
Course Structure & Requirements
Certification: Official TDI Cavern Diver.
Duration: Minimum of 5 Days. This is a rigorous and heavy program, considered the most critical foundation for your journey toward Full Cave diving.
Pre-requisites:
Advanced Open Water Diver (SDI or equivalent).
SDI Sidemount Diver (or equivalent).
TDI Intro to Tech (or equivalent).
Experience: A minimum of 50 logged dives is required to enroll.
Focus: This isn't just a specialty; it’s a transition into technical discipline. We focus on shifting your mindset from recreational diving to the precision and responsibility required for overhead environments.
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)
Some fees may apply depending on the specific dive location. No surprises. Just expertly guided dives with personal attention.
Please Note: For the TDI Cavern Diver course, I strongly recommend that you bring and use your own equipment. At this level of technical training, being intimately familiar with your gear's fit and function is key to your performance and safety.
If you do not own your equipment yet, high-quality technical gear is available for rent upon request.
❓ FAQ – Everything You Need to Know
In cavern diving, your equipment is your life-support system in an overhead environment. Using your own gear ensures you know exactly where everything is and how it reacts, which allows you to focus 100% on the new skills I will be teaching you.
The course lasts a minimum of 5 days. Given the intensity and the level of skill required, I do not rush this process. My goal is to ensure you leave with the mastery necessary for cave exploration.
The TDI Cavern course is demanding. To ensure safety and progress, you need a solid foundation in deep diving, navigation, and technical principles before we ever enter the overhead environment.
Yes. Experience matters. Having at least 50 dives ensures you have the comfort and air management skills needed to focus on complex tasks like line handling and emergency drills without being distracted by basic buoyancy.
I can help you get there. We can schedule these preparatory courses prior to your Cavern training. Contact me to design a long-term training plan that fits your goals.
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 311 reviews
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Gabriel K
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Thank you Alan, for a fanstatic Cenote expierience!
Alan is a great diver, a super photographer and a truly excellent guide.
Diving the Cenotes was my first taste of overhead environments and under Alan's professional guidance, I felt totally safe.
His local Cenote knowledge was very impressive, as was his tips about local places to eat and drink.
It is my hope to return to Tulum and dive with Alan again.
Highly recommended !
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Melanie Wallace
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We had an amazing time cenote diving with Alan! Alan has great communication, is super organized, was an excellent guide for our first time cavern diving, and is overall just a wonderful person. We 100% will be back diving with him in the future!
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Anthony Benavides
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Hands down the best diving experience of my life. Alan is a phenomenal instructor and guide, and will show you the most mesmerizing dive spots!
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Paul Byrnes RMT
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Allan was a great tour guide n dive instructor. Always cheekily chuckling. We had a great time. He got us an awesome burrito after the dives on the first day and went out for a beer with us after the final dive. No nonsense. He expected us to know what we were doing and we were in the water quicker and stayed for longer. It’s another planet down in those caves I can’t wait to go back. Recommend
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Irina K
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It took me a while to find the right dive centre, as we were coming all the way from Australia to dive the cenotes and only had a few days. Allan absolutely blew me away with his patience, answering all my questions over several weeks and even helping us plan our trip so we could get the best visibility and light rays at each location. He went above and beyond our expectations.
It was important for us to find the right fit, as we were spending most of our trip diving with the same person. Allan recommended amazing local places to eat, shared so much about the nature and cenotes, and even brought us the most delicious tacos on our first day. As a local, he really knows his stuff.
We felt completely safe with him the entire time. I can’t recommend Allan highly enough, and I’ll definitely be recommending him to all my friends.
My advice when choosing a dive guide: speak directly with them first—you’ll know if they’re the right fit.
Hopefully we’ll get to dive with Allan again one day. Thank you so much for giving us the best few days of our trip!
We were also incredibly lucky that Allan’s freediver friend took photos of us in El Pit. It was such an unexpected bonus and just another example of Allan going above and beyond. We absolutely loved every minute of it!
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Corinne Jimenez
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I had an amazing experience with this company. From start to finish, the staff was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly welcoming. They made my husband and I feel safe and comfortable. The equipment was well-maintained, the instruction was clear, and the dive itself in the cenotes was unforgettable. You can tell they truly care about creating a fun, safe, and memorable experience for every guest. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great scuba diving adventure!
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羅宇婷
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This was my first trip to Tulum and my first time cenote diving. On my first day, I dived with Jorge at Dos Ojos and The Pit, and on my second day, I dived with Alan at Dream Gate and Angelita. Both instructors were not only very professional and safe guides, but also very friendly and helpful in sharing local travel information. I'm very grateful to them for making my trip to Tulum such a wonderful experience. Highly recommended!
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Suraj Patel
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I’ve never been diving in a cenote before and there are a few operators providing dives to go there. When I tell you Alan provided the BEST experience, from helping with the theory to my nitrox, giving me recommendations for dinner to bringing the best mangos I’ve had in Mexico as a snack. The diving was incredible, I’ve never dived in freshwater so when we were getting water up Alan knew my weighting would be off and adjust this with a tester dive.
Flawlessly professional whilst have the best personality and knowledge of the cenotes. If you are in tulum, drop him a message!
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Camille Chn
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La communication en amont était excellente avec des réponses rapides et claires. Alan a rendu l’experience de plongée en cenote extraordinaire et très rassurante. En bonus, nous avons eu des explications intéressantes sur les cenotes et le Mexique.
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Ethan Guggenheimer
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Alan seems like a natural teacher - patient, clear, methodical, so that my teenage sons and I felt prepared each step of the way. Good vibes, tasty snacks, and a beautiful, special experience for us. Thank you Alan!
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