DIVING FOR
BEGINNERS
Get your toes wet and enjoy!
Where to begin as a beginner?
Starting something new can be a little daunting and confusing. We are here to help! Our courses are listed in order of popularity, however a good choice to ease you into scuba diving is our Try Dive experience. Sometimes you can skip the baby steps and leap right up to your first-level Open Water Diver certification if you're feeling confident and ready!
Beginners Overview
There’s nothing quite like breathing underwater for the first time, and each of these PADI programs will teach you how to be safe and have fun while you do it! Whether scuba diving is your life-long dream, or you’re curious to see what it’s all about, there’s an option here for you. Why not start today?
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All classes offered by Cozumel Dive School follow PADI standards.
*Package pricing (course combo) is available for some courses. See link at the bottom of course description to explore pricing and bundling options.
Open Water Diver
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 3 days
Cost: $449 USD
Includes:
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Open Water Diver e-Learning
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Open Water Diver videos
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5 confined water dives in our pool
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2 open water shore dives
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2 open water boat dives
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Entrance fees & Marine Park Pass
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Open Water Diver certification*
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Gear rental (including dive computer on open water dives)
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3 free nights dorm-style lodging at Cozumel Dive School (subject to availability and when booking directly with us)
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Free DAN (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance**.
Prerequisites:
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Minimum age: 10 years old
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You must be in good physical shape and be able to complete the medical statement stating that you have no contraindications to diving (see PADI Medical Form)
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Adequate swimming skills and comfort in the water
Read more about this program below...
Your Open Water Diver adventure with Cozumel Dive School will start on your couch back home with e-learning. This allows you to get the book work out of the way so you can focus on water skills when you arrive in Cozumel.
Before you arrive: You will be assigned a code to your Open Water Diver eLearning and will learn the basics of scuba diving theory arranged in five comprehensive modules/chapters, followed by five knowledge reviews to check your learning progress, four quizzes, and a final exam.
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Paperwork: You will also receive a set of documents that must be signed online before starting the practical part of the course: Medical Statement, Liability Release, and Safe Diving Practices. In order to participate in any water activities, you must have no contraindications to scuba diving (see PADI Medical Form)​.
​
At Cozumel Dive School: Upon your arrival to the island, your instructor will brief you on your course schedule. You can find our typical schedule below, however, adjustments may be made due to the weather and instructors' availability. Be sure to read our policy about rescheduling and cancellations. Our Open Water Diver courses consist of four students (maximum) per one instructor and are usually assisted by one of our Divemaster trainees for an added hand. For FREE DAN (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance, a signup is required with your instructor. We do not automatically sign yo up for the DAN insurance.
DAY ONE: Classroom & Pool
We'll review all the required forms and settle up with any remaining balances due. Next, you'll view the Open Water Diver videos (five in total) which usually take up a half-day. Now into the water with your gear where you'll complete five confined water dives in our training pool.
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DAY TWO: Water Skills & Shore Dives
Required water skills for Open Water Diver certification include a 200 m swim or a 300 m snorkel swim, and a 10-minute float without buoyancy assistance. Once these skills are demonstrated successfully, you'll move on to dive in the open water. Two shore dives at a dive site teeming with underwater life will help you ease into scuba diving for your first time.
​
DAY THREE: Boat Dives & Certification
Two Open Water dives from the boat over two different Cozumel reefs, certification.
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Other Notes: Your course material and diving training will keep you rather busy during your time at Cozumel Dive School so we strongly recommend that you complete all of your eLearning before arriving at Cozumel Dive School. Keep in mind that internet connection in Mexico can be intermittent in the event you plan to study while traveling.
* Provided that all the course requirements are met after your two exciting boat dives on day three, you will get a worldwide-acknowledged certification of an Open Water Diver (or Junior Open Water Diver if you’re below 15 years old). It is valid for the rest of your life and allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet without a supervision of a dive professional (if you’re 10 or 11 years old, the maximum depth is 12 meters / 40 feet).
** For FREE DAN (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance, a signup is required. Talk to your instructor on day one. We do not sign divers up for the insurance automatically.
​
NEXT STEP: Congratulations! Your Open Water Diver skills are the foundation of all your continued learning and you now have the keys to unlock a lifetime of underwater education and adventure. When you are ready, consider getting your Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) certification with Cozumel Dive School to extend your limits, dive experience and try diving at night, on the wrecks or with a side-mount tanks configuration!
Open Water Diver Course
$449 USD
Combo Course Pricing Available
Scuba Diver
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $364 USD
Includes:
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Open Water Diver e-Learning
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Open Water Diver videos
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3 confined water dives in our pool
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2 open water shore dives
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Entrance fees
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PADI Scuba Diver certification*
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Gear rental (including dive computer on shore dives)
-
2 free nights dorm-style lodging at Cozumel Dive School (subject to availability and when booking directly with us)
Prerequisites:
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Minimum age: 10 years old
-
You must be in good physical shape and be able to complete the medical statement stating that you have no contraindications to diving (see PADI Medical Form)
-
Adequate swimming skills and comfort in the water
Read more about this program below...
The Scuba Diver course is a smaller taste of the Open Water Diver course at Cozumel Diving School. Learning is comprised of the first 3 modules of Open Water Diver e-Learning, three videos, three confined water dives in our pool (five required for Open Water certification), followed by two open water shore dives to a maximum depth of 12 m / 40 ft. This is an ideal option for those with limited time.
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Before you arrive: You will be assigned a code to your Open Water Diver eLearning and will learn the basics of scuba diving theory arranged in three comprehensive modules/chapters, followed by three knowledge reviews to check your learning progress and three quizzes.
​
Paperwork: You will also receive a set of documents that must be signed online before starting the practical part of the course: Medical Statement, Liability Release, and Safe Diving Practices. In order to participate in any water activities, you must have no contraindications to scuba diving (see PADI Medical Form)​.
At Cozumel Dive School: Upon your arrival to the island, your instructor will brief you on your course schedule. You can find our typical schedule below, however, adjustments may be made due to the weather and instructors' availability. Be sure to read our policy about rescheduling and cancellations. Our Scuba Diver courses consist of four students (maximum) per one instructor and are usually assisted by one of our Divemaster trainees for an added hand.
​
DAY ONE: Classroom & Pool
You will complete three of the first Open Water Diver online manual modules on your phone or tablet before your arrival at the school. On the first day of your course at CDS, you will watch three of the five Open Water Diver videos and complete a pool session where you will put to work what you read and learned about! You should also be prepared to complete a 10-minute float without assisted buoyancy support.
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DAY TWO: Open Water
Your instructor will have you repeat these skills in the open ocean, leaving lots of time to explore one of our favorite shore dive sites teeming with coral and marine life. When all the requirements are met, you will get a certification as a Scuba Diver with the following limits: maximum dive depth of 12 m / 40 ft, and always under the supervision of a dive professional.
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Other Notes: Your course material and diving training will keep you rather busy during your time at Cozumel Dive School so we strongly recommend that you complete all of your eLearning before arriving at Cozumel Dive School. Keep in mind that internet connection in Mexico can be intermittent in the event you plan to study while traveling.
​
* Provided that all the course requirements are met, on the final day you will get a worldwide-acknowledged certification of a Scuba Diver (or Junior Scuba Diver if you’re below 15 years old). It is valid for the rest of your life and allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet with a supervision of a dive professional.
NEXT STEP: Your Scuba Diver skills can be carried forward to the Open Water training course to build on your education. Cozumel Dive School would be thrilled to help you complete your full Open Water Diver at a later date with us, or simply request a referral from us to complete your next course elsewhere.
QUICK OVERVIEW
BASIC option:
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Duration: Half-day
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Cost: $90 USD
Includes:
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PADI DSD eLearning
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Training session in the pool
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1 shore dive
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Entrance fees
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Scuba gear rental
Prerequisites:
-
Minimum age: 10 years old
-
No previous experience is needed, however, you must be able to complete the medical statement stating no contraindications to diving (see PADI Medical Form)
-
Feeling comfortable in the water and being a decent swimmer will definitely put you more at ease!
Read more about this program below...
Discover Scuba Diving
Basic Option
Never tried scuba diving before and not sure whether you’ll like it? Or perhaps you’re on the island for a day or two only? If there’s something you cannot miss while in Cozumel, it is definitely exploring the reefs!
Discover Scuba Diving experience is not a course, but a short, half-day program that starts with online eLearning and/or a presentation by your instructor, after which you get fitted in scuba gear and jump in our pool for a short training session. You will learn a few basic skills and signals used underwater. Once you feel comfortable, we will take you diving from the shore and you will explore a reef teeming with marine life to the max. depth of 12 m / 40 ft, of course under close supervision of your instructor. You will never forget your first breaths underwater and you will only want more!
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* There is an option to count your Discover Scuba Diving pool experience and ocean dive as the initial part of PADI Scuba Diver or PADI Open Water Diver certification, if you decide to complete these with us later. Ask your instructor for more details.
Discover Scuba Diving
Extended Option
QUICK OVERVIEW
EXTENDED option:
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Duration: 2 days
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Cost: $195 USD
Includes:
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First day: PADI DSD eLearning, training session in the pool + 1 shore dive
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Second day: 2 boat dives*
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Entrance fees
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Scuba gear rental
Prerequisites:
-
Minimum age: 10 years old
-
No previous experience needed, however, you must be able to complete the medical statement stating no contraindications to diving (see PADI Medical Form)
-
Feeling comfortable in the water and being a decent swimmer will definitely put you more at ease!
Read more about this program below...
If you fall in love with your first ever Discover Scuba Diving experience on day one, you may ask to join the boat dives on the following day, provided we have availability. You will meet your instructor who will take you on two dives in two different locations, max. depth of 12 m/40 ft. You will have a chance to meet turtles, moray eels, eagle rays, or maybe even sharks and you’ll be served the best guacamole in your life for lunch in between the dives. Gear rental, Marine Park fees, lunch & soft drinks are included.
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* Boat dives are available provided that all the requirements from the first day were met. There is an option to count your Discover Scuba Diving pool experience and ocean dive as the initial part of PADI Scuba Diver or PADI Open Water Diver certification if you decide to complete these with us later. Ask your instructor for more details.
Open Water Referral
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $314 USD
(+$25 USD if you do not have eLearning and have your own physical Open Water manual)
Includes:
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2 open water shore dives
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2 open water boat dives
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Entrance fees & Marine Park Pass
-
Open Water Diver certification*
-
Gear rental (including dive computer on open water dives)
-
2 free nights dorm-style lodging at Cozumel Dive School (subject to availability and when booking directly with us)
Prerequisites:
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Own Open Water eLearning
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Completed Confined Water Dives 1-5, including Confined Flexi Skills, 200m swim, float and Advanced Snorkeling
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Completed Open Water eLearning, including quizzes 1-4, final exam and eLearning Quick Review
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Minimum age: 10 years old
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You must be in good physical shape and be able to complete the medical statement stating that you have no contraindications to diving (see PADI Medical Form)
-
Adequate swimming skills and comfort in the water
Read more about this program below...
If you stared your Open Water Diver adventure at home you can finish it with Cozumel Dive School.
Before you arrive: With your dive shop at home you will complete Confined Open Water dives 1-5. During your Confined dives you will also do Confined Flexi Skills, 200 m swim, 10 min float and Advanced Snorkeling skills. Your dive shop at home will assign you PADI Open Water eLearning, and you will learn the basics of scuba diving theory arranged in five comprehensive modules/chapters, followed by five knowledge reviews to check your learning progress, four quizzes, and a final exam. After your online exam you will do a eLearning Quick Review with your instructor.
Referral paperwork: Your dive shop at home will give you referral paperwork. You will bring the referral paperwork, your PADI eLearning course record and your Medical Statement with you to Cozumel Dive School.
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Paperwork: When you come to us you need to fill out a new set of Liability Release and Safe Diving Practices. If you didn't bring your Medical, you need to fill out a new Medical Statement and possibly have it signed by a physician prior to any water activities (see PADI Medical Form)​.
​
At Cozumel Dive School: Upon your arrival to the island, your instructor will brief you on your course schedule. You can find our typical schedule below, however, adjustments may be made due to the weather and instructors' availability. Be sure to read our policy about rescheduling and cancellations. Our Open Water Diver courses consist of four students (maximum) per one instructor and are usually assisted by one of our Divemaster trainees for an added hand.
DAY ONE: Water Skills & Shore Dives
Required water skills for Open Water Diver certification, including a 200 m swim or a 300 m snorkel swim, and a 10-minute float without buoyancy assistance. If you have not done the water skills at home, we will do them in the ocean. Once these skills are demonstrated successfully, you'll move on to dive in the open water. Two shore dives at a dive site teeming with underwater life will help you ease into scuba diving for your first time.
​
DAY TWO: Boat Dives & Certification
Two Open Water dives from the boat over two different Cozumel reefs, certification.
​
Other Notes: Your course material and diving training will keep you rather busy during your time at Cozumel Dive.
* Provided that all the course requirements are met after your two exciting boat dives on day two, you will get a worldwide-acknowledged certification of an Open Water Diver (or Junior Open Water Diver if you’re below 15 years old). It is valid for the rest of your life and allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet without a supervision of a dive professional (if you’re 10 or 11 years old, the maximum depth is 12 meters / 40 feet).
​
NEXT STEP: Congratulations! Your Open Water Diver skills are the foundation of all your continued learning and you now have the keys to unlock a lifetime of underwater education and adventure. When you are ready, consider getting your Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) certification with Cozumel Dive School to extend your limits, dive experience and try diving at night, on the wrecks or with a side-mount tanks configuration!
Scuba Diver to Open Water Diver Upgrade
QUICK OVERVIEW
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $290/330 USD
Includes:
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1 Confined Water session (pool or beach)
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1 Open Water session from the beach
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2 Open Water dives from the boat
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Entrance fees & Marine Park pass
-
Open Water Diver certification*
-
Gear rental
-
2 free-night dorm-style lodging at Cozumel Dive School (subject to availability and when booking directly with us)
Prerequisites:
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PADI Scuba Diver certification
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New Open Water eLearning from us ($330 USD option)
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Own Open Water eLearning or bring your hard copy of Open Water manual ($290 USD option)
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You must be in good physical shape and be able to complete the medical statement stating that you have no contraindications to diving (see PADI Medical Form)
-
Adequate swimming skills and comfort in the water
Read more about this program below...
Are you thinking about upgrading your PADI Scuba Diver certification to full Open Water Diver? You can easily do it in just 2 days with Cozumel Dive School!
Before you arrive: Finish your eLearning: Chapters 4 & 5, Knowledge Reviews 4 & 5, Quiz 4 and Final Exam. Or, if you have your hard copy manual, read through Chapters 4 & 5, complete Knowledge Reviews 4 & 5 and Quiz 4.
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Paperwork: You need to fill out a new set of Liability Release & Standard Safe Diving Practices forms. You may also need to fill out a new Medical Statement and have it signed by a physician prior to any water activities (see PADI Medical Form)​. If you have one already signed from the previous course, you may use it as long as it has been signed not more than 12 months before the upgrade course and your answers to the questions have not changed.
​
At Cozumel Dive School: Upon your arrival to our school, your instructor will brief you on your course schedule. You can find our typical schedule below, however, adjustments can be made due to the weather and instructors' availability. Be sure to read our policy about rescheduling and cancellations. Our Scuba Diver to Open Water Diver upgrade courses have maximum of four students per one instructor and are usually assisted by one of our Divemaster trainees for an added hand.
DAY ONE: Theory, Confined Water Skills & Open Water Skills
We start the day with some theory review: if you have eLearning, your start time is 9 am; if you have hard copy manual, your start time is 8 am. You will watch theory videos for Chapter 4 & 5 (about 1 hr total). If you have eLearning, you will do a paper Quick Review. If you have a hardcopy book (you need to bring your book), you will do Quiz 4 and Final exam on paper. After theory is done you will have a break for early lunch. At 12 pm we will start a Confined Water session. After reviewing your diving experience, we will run the confined session either in our pool or in confined water off the shore. You will do a 200 m swim or a 300 m snorkel swim. When you have mastered the skills is Confined Water you will start the Open Water session. During one dive from the shore you will repeat some skills but now in an ocean environment. Your day should be done around 4pm.
​
DAY TWO: Boat Dives & Certification
Two Open Water dives from the boat over two different Cozumel reefs, certification.
​
Other Notes: Your diving training will keep you rather busy during your time at Cozumel Dive.
* Provided that all the course requirements are met after your two exciting boat dives on day two, you will get a worldwide-acknowledged certification of an Open Water Diver (or Junior Open Water Diver if you’re below 15 years old). It is valid for the rest of your life and allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet without a supervision of a dive professional (if you’re 10 or 11 years old, the maximum depth is 12 meters / 40 feet).
​
NEXT STEP: Congratulations! Your Open Water Diver skills are the foundation of all your continued learning and you now have the keys to unlock a lifetime of underwater education and adventure. When you are ready, consider getting your Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) certification with Cozumel Dive School to extend your limits, dive experience and try diving at night, on the wrecks or with a side-mount tanks configuration!
Recreational Courses
Payment & Cancellation
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To reserve your spot: A non-refundable $200 USD (Open Water or Scuba Diver), $50 (Discover Scuba Diving) deposit is due with your booking.
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Full payment deadline: The first day of your course.
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Payment options accepted:
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PayPal (added 5% transfer fee should be paid by student)
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Cash (US dollars or Mexican pesos). Please contact us prior to payment for the current conversion rate to avoid shortages and extra fees
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National bank transfer via one of our bank accounts (Mexican, Swedish, Polish, Canadian) - allow minimum 3 banking days for transfers. International transfer might be possible, allowed up to 5-7 days for international transfer and sender pays any international transfer fees.
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Cancellation Policy & Fees:
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50/200 USD deposit is not refundable.
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You can change your course date at the discretion of Cozumel Dive School, free of charge and subject to weather and availability, with 24 hours’ notice.
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For Christmas, New Year and Easter seasons, the cancellation notice is extended to 48 hours before your course start.
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Read our complete Terms & Conditions for more details.
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