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 299 reviews
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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!
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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.
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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
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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.
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Hunor Matyas
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An amazing friendly dive center with very helpful attitude and very affordable prices. I could only recommend 😁🤙
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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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