Papa Hogs Scuba Emporium
285 Costera Sur, Cozumel, QR, MEX
About the Center
Papa Hogs Scuba Emporium, located in Cozumel, Mexico, is a dive center with a rich history, established in 1991 by Mike and Margaret Gerus. The establishment prides itself on offering hometown hospitality, as embodied by its motto "Dive, Drink, Fish, Eat, Sleep…. Repeat!!". Celebrating over 30 years of service, Papa Hogs has had the pleasure of training multiple generations of divers within many families, fostering a special bond that is evident in the return of guests who now bring their own children to learn diving, reinforcing a "Welcome Home!!" sentiment.
The center is affiliated with recognized certification organizations such as PADI, SSI, and NAUI, offering a comprehensive range of courses from Discover Scuba Diving to the Instructor Development Course, as well as Open Water Diver. Beyond diving, Papa Hogs also provides snorkeling and fishing excursions, creating a complete Cozumel experience. The center's fleet of fast six and eight-pax boats allows for grouping divers by experience level, ensuring safe and enjoyable dives under the guidance of their experienced Dive Masters.
Papa Hogs Scuba Emporium is more than just a dive shop; it's a holistic destination. After a day of diving, guests can utilize the on-site lockers and shower facilities before heading to The Hog Town Cafe to relive their experiences over great Mexican and American cuisine. For those seeking basic yet comfortable accommodation, The Hogtown Hotel is available. The facilities also include a dive shop, equipment rental, air fills (nitrox), and options for boat diving, shore diving, and night diving.
With the ability to communicate in multiple languages, including Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian, and Catalan, Papa Hogs Scuba Emporium ensures personalized and barrier-free service. Its proximity to Cozumel's beaches and its family-friendly atmosphere make it an ideal spot for diving enthusiasts looking for an authentic and memorable Mexican experience, true to its "Dive, Drink, Fish, Eat, Sleep…. Repeat!!" ethos.
Available Courses
4 cursosDiscover Scuba Diving
Bautismo de buceo para quienes desean tener su primera experiencia bajo el agua con la supervisión de un instructor profesional.
Open Water Diver
Curso de iniciación al buceo recreativo. Obtén tu certificación para bucear de forma autónoma hasta 18 metros de profundidad.
Refresher Course
Papa Hogs in Cozumel offers a Refresher Course designed for certified divers who haven't dived in a while. This program is ideal for regaining confidence and brushing up on essential scuba skills in the warm, clear waters Cozumel is known for. The course focuses on reviewing dive theory, proper equipment setup, and critical safety procedures. Your instructor will guide you through practical exercises in shallow water, covering skills like mask clearing, regulator recovery, and buoyancy control, ensuring you feel comfortable and safe before undertaking more extensive dives. The accessible reefs of Cozumel provide an excellent environment for this review. While specific dive sites for the refresher are not detailed, the general accessibility of Cozumel's reefs means you'll be practicing in a location renowned for its vibrant marine life and healthy coral formations. This hands-on approach is vital for rebuilding your comfort level and ensuring you are ready for your next underwater adventure in this world-class diving destination. This course is perfect for anyone feeling a bit rusty or seeking a quick review before a dive trip. It offers a low-stress way to reconnect with the underwater world and ensure your skills are up-to-date with current diving practices. Papa Hogs prides itself on patient and experienced instructors dedicated to helping divers regain their comfort and proficiency. The center is affiliated with major certifying agencies including IDEA, NAUI, PADI, and SSI, providing a recognized standard for your skills update. Completing the Refresher Course at Papa Hogs means you will be better prepared and more confident for your subsequent dives in Cozumel. It's an investment in your safety and enjoyment, ensuring you can fully appreciate the incredible marine life the island has to offer. The price for this valuable refresher is $90.00 USD. The center also supports divers in multiple languages, including German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Russian, ensuring clear communication and a comfortable learning experience for a diverse range of international divers.
Advanced Course
Papa Hogs offers the Advanced Open Water Diver course, designed for certified Open Water divers seeking to enhance their underwater skills and experience. This program introduces you to various diving types and conditions, leveraging Cozumel's rich reefs and potential for deeper exploration. The curriculum typically includes five adventure dives, with deep diving and underwater navigation as mandatory components. You can select additional specialties like night diving, drift diving, or underwater photography based on your interests and Papa Hogs' offerings, all under the guidance of experienced instructors. This certification is a significant step in building diving confidence and expanding your capabilities, allowing access to sites beyond the Open Water scope, such as deeper wrecks or more complex reef structures. Papa Hogs instructors are well-versed in Cozumel's prime locations for advanced training. The course fee of $400 USD includes one two-tank boat dive, providing practical application of learned skills on Cozumel's famous reefs. Upon completion, you'll be qualified to dive to greater depths and engage in a wider array of diving activities, substantially enriching your overall diving adventures. Cozumel provides an exceptional environment for advanced diving. While specific monthly climate data is not provided, the region is known for its generally warm waters and good visibility, which are conducive to exploring diverse marine life and intricate reef formations. The advanced course allows you to explore beyond the typical 18-meter (60 ft) limit of Open Water dives, with the deep dive component often reaching depths of 30 meters (100 ft), offering a new perspective on the underwater world. Papa Hogs supports multiple certifying agencies, including IDEA, NAUI, PADI, and SSI, providing flexibility for divers. The center also caters to an international clientele, offering instruction in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Russian. While specific details on instructor-to-student ratios or boat types are not listed, the inclusion of a two-tank boat dive suggests a focus on practical, in-water experience on Cozumel's renowned dive sites. This course is an ideal progression for those looking to maximize their diving potential in a world-class destination.
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The National Park Fee is $10.00 per day per diver, which is an additional cost to the dive trip prices.
All boat dives include tanks, weights, and the services of a Dive Master. Two-tank trips typically include two dives, while three-tank trips include three dives. Marine Park Fees are included for two-tank and three-tank trips booked starting December 20th, 2025.
Equipment rental is available for BCD and regulator ($15.00/day), wetsuits ($5.00/day), dive computers ($10.00/day), and dive lights ($10.00/day). Tank rentals for shore diving are $10.00.
Yes, Nitrox tanks are available for $14.00 per tank, provided you hold the necessary certification.
The shop operates from 9 am to 3 pm for phone calls from the US, Canada, and worldwide. The Operations Center on the island is open from 7 am to 5 pm.
Yes, Papa Hogs offers pick-up services for hotels located south of town, from the Barracuda Hotel pier as far south as the Iberostar Resort. Please arrange pick-up times in advance.