Aquamarinas

Aquamarinas

Overview & Experience

Aquamarinas is a German-run dive operation on Cozumel led by Volker Pohl, a certified biologist and the shop's main contact and guide. The center describes itself as the only German diving center holding a licence to conduct dives inside the National Marine Park off the coast of Cozumel, and it dives the island's section of the world's second-largest barrier reef.

Two things define the operation. The first is a marine-biology lens on the diving. The second is transparency: unlike most Cozumel shops, Aquamarinas publishes a full rate card covering dive trips, courses, rentals and extras, so you can price an entire week before contacting anyone.

Groups run to a maximum of six divers per guide, and the shop states that Volker responds to divers' wishes on dive site, depth and pace. Testimonials on the site date back to 2005.

Key Features & Services

• PADI courses from Bubblemaker through Divemaster, plus technical training
• Three licensed boats: Deep Exposure (max 16 divers plus 2 crew, with WC, freshwater shower and weather shelter), Deep Exposure II (max 6 divers plus 2 crew, with toilet), and Big Splash (max 25 divers plus 3 crew)
• Maximum six divers per group and guide
• Published dive rates (USD): two tanks $119–130; three tanks $150–190 (minimum 4 divers); night dive $95 (minimum 4 divers); snorkelling $50; non-divers $40–45
• Included in trip prices: catering during the surface interval, drinking water, National Marine Park entrance fee, guide, tanks and weights
• Nitrox at +$12 per tank; private guide at +$50–60
• Course prices (USD): Bubblemaker $90, Discover Scuba $90–95, Resort Course $160, Scuba Diver $300, Open Water $550, Advanced $400, Rescue $550, Divemaster $1,350, EFR $250, Nitrox $250; technical courses (Trimix, Deep Air, Cavern, Cave) on request
• Rental gear (USD per day): mask $6, fins $6, BCD $11, regulator $11, wetsuit $11, dive computer $15, dive light $8, complete set $27, complete set with computer $40
• Cenote dives offered alongside the reef programme
• Languages: German, English, French and Spanish
• Hotel pickup available for guests staying south of the San Miguel town center, depending on the boat
• Departures typically 09:00–09:15 from San Miguel or Fonatur harbour, about 4 km south

Why Aquamarinas Stands Apart

Very few Cozumel operators publish their prices at all, let alone a rate card that covers three-tank days, night dives, non-diver seats, nitrox surcharges, private guides, every course level and every rental item. For divers planning a multi-day trip — especially families or mixed groups where some people snorkel and some dive — that alone makes the shop easy to budget for.

The German-language service is the second differentiator, and the shop states it is the only German dive center licensed to run dives in the Cozumel National Marine Park. Add French and Spanish, and the guiding covers more of Europe than most island operators.

The third is the hard six-diver-per-guide cap. Boat capacity and group size are different numbers in Cozumel; Aquamarinas publishes both, and the smaller Deep Exposure II tops out at six divers in total.

Practical Details

• Address: Cozumel, Quintana Roo 77600, Mexico (the site lists no street address)
• Phone / WhatsApp / Signal: +52 987 111 2490
• Email: info@aquamarinas.com
• Website: https://aquamarinas.com/
• Owner and guide: Volker Pohl, certified biologist
• Certification agency: PADI
• Minimum certification for reef dives: PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent
• Tanks: aluminium 12 L with INT valves; DIN adapters available
• Water temperature: 26–31°C, with a 3 mm wetsuit or thicker recommended

Note that no transport is provided to the boats — a taxi is needed — and that gloves and knives are prohibited in the marine park except on wreck dives. Opening hours and a founding year are not published.