Maroma Beach can be the finish line for your SCUBA training. This package pairs open-water referral sessions in the Riviera Maya with free beach-club access at Maroma, plus round-trip transportation.

I really like two things about how this is set up: you’re given the full wetsuit-and-gear kit (including fins and a lead belt), and the group stays small, with a maximum of 15 people. That usually means more hands-on attention when you’re working on comfort in open water.

One thing to watch is that extra costs and requirements can sneak up on you. You must have your referral documents signed from your original school, and there’s a dock fee of $15 USD per person you pay at marina check-in. Also, the experience duration is shown as 45 minutes in the booking summary, while the referral course is described as a two-day program—confirm the exact schedule when you book.

Key highlights to know before you go

Four open-water boat sessions are included as part of the referral course.

Maroma Beach club access is included so you’re not just sitting on the boat all day.

Gear and insurance come with your booking (no solo equipment hunt).

Shared transportation covers hotel-to-marina-to-hotel at set times.

You’ll need signed referral paperwork from your original SCUBA school to participate.

SCUBA referral course plus Maroma Beach club: why this combo works

This is built for one specific moment in your training: you’ve already handled the theory and pool practice, and now you need supervised open-water experience to finish. If that’s where you’re at, it’s a smart use of time because you get guided sessions in the sea, not just a tourist-style snorkeling stop.

The Maroma Beach bonus is practical. You’re already in the Riviera Maya, so having free beach-club access means you can plan a more complete day (or two) instead of spending your energy purely underwater and then rushing elsewhere. In other words, you’re not done just because the boat ride ends.

This package is also designed for comfort and predictability. Equipment is provided, a bilingual guide supports you in English and Spanish, and the group size cap helps keep the pace manageable for people at different comfort levels.

What the two-day referral program actually means for you

The referral option is meant for divers who have completed the classroom and pool parts of certification. Your two-day complementary course includes four open-water boat sessions, supervised by a professional instructor.

Here’s the practical takeaway: you should treat this like training, not a casual sightseeing swim. You’ll be expected to follow instructions and be ready for hands-on coaching as you adapt to open water conditions. If you’re a little rusty, that’s normal—just don’t plan to show up with zero readiness, especially since your paperwork has to match what your original school completed.

One more note that matters: the booking information shows an experience duration of about 45 minutes, but the referral course description says it’s two days with four sea sessions. Before you go, make sure you receive the exact two-day timetable in writing so you’re not guessing. It’s the kind of mismatch that’s easy to sort out early.

Maroma Beach time: facilities included, but plan your essentials

You get free access to Maroma Beach and use of the facilities. That’s a real benefit because it turns your time on land into something with payoff, not just waiting around between transfer times.

What’s not included is also important. Food and beverage consumption aren’t included, and locker rental isn’t included. So if you want snacks, drinks, or a place to stash belongings, you’ll need to budget or plan ahead.

Also, consider what you bring from Playa del Carmen. The tour includes transportation and insurance, but valuables are discouraged. If you don’t want to spend your beach time worrying about your phone, keep it simple: bring what you need and keep it minimal.

Getting from Playa del Carmen to the marina: transfers and the dock fee

Transportation is included as a shared service: hotel to marina, then back to your hotel, at specific times. Pickup depends on where you’re staying, and the meeting time shown is 9:30 am—but your actual pickup window will vary by hotel.

The marina part matters because that’s where you’ll handle the dock fee. The dock fee is $15 USD per person, paid at marina check-in. This is not a small “maybe” expense. It’s explicitly listed as required, so I recommend you bring it with you and don’t wait until the last second with a scattered wallet.

Because transfers are shared, you should build in a little tolerance for waiting. If you’re the type who gets twitchy about tight schedules, this is the part to mentally loosen up.

Gear and comfort: wetsuits, fins, lead belt, and boat setup

One of the biggest value points here is equipment. You’re provided with the SCUBA essentials: mask, regulator, compensator vest, fins, and a lead belt. Wetsuits are also included. That takes one major hassle off your trip—no hunting for rentals, no surprise sizing problems, and no last-minute schedule scramble.

If you’ve rented gear before, you know how much “small stuff” affects comfort underwater. Getting the basics included tends to reduce stress right when you need focus.

There are also clear signs the operation tries to make setup easy. People describe the gear being set up so it’s ready when you board the boat, and they mention boats with a roof for sun protection and a sturdier ladder for getting back on board. That doesn’t mean every day is identical, but it does suggest the staff is set up for smooth transitions.

Guides and safety: small-group attention with bilingual support

A big part of the appeal is how personalized the experience is. You’ll have a bilingual guide in English and Spanish, and the group is limited to 15 travelers max. For referral training, that matters because you can’t really “wing it” in open water while you’re finishing certification.

From the strong feedback around the staff, what stands out is communication and support. You’ll see names like Mau, Alex, Giovanni, Amauri Zermeño, Evan, Moe, Alexander, Carlos, Ivan, and Gandhi tied to excellent on-water guidance. Common themes show up: clear instructions, constant check-ins, and instructors who help people get comfortable at their own pace.

Safety is also supported by the fact that insurance is included, and there are clear participation limits. SCUBA sessions aren’t allowed for pregnant people, people with recent ear/heart/lung surgeries, heart conditions, claustrophobia, diabetes, lung collapse, epilepsy, asthma, or high blood pressure. People who consumed alcohol or drugs also aren’t allowed.

You’ll also want to follow two smart timing rules mentioned in the info:

• Don’t fly until at least 12 hours after your session.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol the day before.

For me, that’s the sign of a real training-oriented operation: they’re spelling out limits instead of pretending everyone can do the same activity.

What you should expect underwater: reef sites and skill-building focus

The program centers on open-water skill completion, so it’s less about a “tourist checklist” and more about practicing what you learned earlier. You’ll be on supervised boat outings designed to build comfort with the real conditions you can’t fully simulate in a pool.

Reef locations are part of the draw. People describe specific favorite outings like Paradise and the Archos area, including both shallow and deeper experiences. Reef time also means you can often expect coral and sea life, not just repetitive training drills.

Since this is referral training, your experience will likely feel structured: gear checks, guidance during the session, and an instructor keeping an eye on your comfort and control. That’s how you finish certification without turning the experience into a stressful endurance test.

Value for $300: what’s included, what’s extra, and what you’re really buying

The price is $300 per person, and the included package is bigger than a typical single-day “see reefs” outing.

What you get that drives value:

• Four open-water boat sessions as part of the referral course
• Wetsuit and full SCUBA gear setup
• Round-trip shared transfers between hotel and marina
• Free Maroma Beach access and facilities
• Bilingual guide support
• Insurance

What costs extra (and you should plan for):

• Dock fee: $15 USD per person at marina check-in
• Locker rental
• Private transportation (not included)
• Souvenirs and photos
• Food and beverage consumption

That last list is where budget surprises usually happen. If you like taking photos, buying a small souvenir, or eating a full meal on-site, factor that in. If you’re traveling light and you’re fine bringing your own simple beach essentials, the $300 can feel very fair.

The best “value fit” is for people who specifically need open-water certification completion. If you’re already certified and just want a vacation reef swim, you’d be wasting money on training format. But if you’re at the referral stage, this is exactly the service you’re trying to find.

Food after your session: don’t assume a full meal is included

One caution I’d keep in your back pocket is food expectations. Food and beverage consumption aren’t included in the package, so you shouldn’t plan on a full meal being handled for you as part of the deal.

Also, timing can be more variable than you’d hope when a day runs like a training schedule plus beach time. If you’re traveling with kids or you’re sensitive to hunger during waits, plan simple backups: water and light snacks can help you stay comfortable while you wait for transfers.

If eating matters a lot to you, ask ahead about what’s available and when you’ll have an opportunity to eat. It’s the easiest way to avoid disappointment.

Who this is for in Riviera Maya

This works best if:

• You’ve already completed the theory and pool parts of SCUBA certification.
• You want supervised open-water practice to finish your certification.
• You want the extra reward of Maroma Beach club access without booking a separate beach setup.
• You prefer a smaller group (max 15) and bilingual guidance.

It’s not the right fit if you fall into the health limits listed in the info, or if you’re not able to handle the no-alcohol rule and the post-session flight timing.

Minimum age is 10, so this can fit older kids and teens—assuming they meet the health rules and the referral paperwork requirements.

Should you book this Maroma Adventures referral + beach package?

If you’re in the exact referral stage—paperwork done, theory done, pool done—this is a strong booking. You get four supervised open-water boat sessions, equipment included, and Maroma Beach access on top. For $300, the structure is practical: you’re paying for training support and transportation, not just a couple hours in the water.

I’d book it if you’re ready to treat open water as training, not a casual dip. Also, get clear on the two-day schedule upfront because the info you see may look shorter at a glance.

Skip it (or choose a different option) if you’re already fully certified and just want an easy reef outing. And don’t forget the non-negotiables: your signed referral documents and the dock fee you’ll pay at check-in.

FAQ

What do I need to bring for the referral program?

You must show referral documents signed by the diving school where you made the initial course. Those documents are required to participate.

How many open-water sessions are included?

The referral course includes four open-water boat sessions in the sea.

Is SCUBA equipment included?

Yes. The package includes the necessary SCUBA equipment such as mask, regulator, compensator vest, fins, and a lead belt, and wetsuits are provided.

Do I get access to Maroma Beach?

Yes. You receive free access to Maroma Beach and use of the facilities.

What extra fees should I budget for?

You’ll need to pay a dock fee of $15 USD per person at marina check-in. Locker rental is also not included.

Are guides bilingual and is it small group?

Yes. The guide is bilingual in English and Spanish, and the experience has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you won’t receive a refund.