Depth & Discovery: A Mahai Dive Expedition
Mahahual, Mexico. November 1-7, 2026
Two paths. One ocean.
Whether you’re taking your very first breath underwater or already logging dives around the world, this retreat is designed to immerse you in the living beauty of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef while staying nourished, grounded, and deeply connected to the ocean.
Spend your days diving coral gardens, walls, canyons, and reef systems with the expert local team at Takata Experience, and your evenings recovering oceanside at Mahai Retreat with nourishing meals, wellness experiences, and community.
Choose Your Path
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Learn to dive with a 3-day PADI Open Water Certification
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Join the Certified Diver Track with guided reef exploration
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Come together for coral restoration, interpretation dives, and ocean stewardship experiences
The Experience
More Than a Dive Trip
This retreat combines:
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Scuba diving
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Reef ecology
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Ocean stewardship
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Yoga, breathwork and stretching classes
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Sound healing, cold plunges and tea baths
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Massage or other healing treatment
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Community
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Oceanfront rest
Designed in partnership with Takata Experience, this week offers access to one of the most biodiverse reef systems in the world — just minutes from shore.
Expect:
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Diverse reef systems
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Coral gardens and sea fans
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Reef fish, turtles, rays, and dramatic topography
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Slow mornings and deep recovery
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Healthy meals and ocean air
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A balance of adventure and restoration
Retreat Schedule
Sunday, Nov 1
Arrivals · Welcome Dinner · Introductions
Monday Nov 2 - Friday Nov 6
(On-Site at Mahai)
Mornings: Sunrise Tea · Yoga · Breakfast
Afternoons: Lunch · Stretch · Breathwork · Treatments
Evenings: Dinner · Evening Gathering (Sound Bath / Fire Circle / Storytelling)
Diving:
Path One: Beginner's Open Water Certification
Monday: Takata 9:00 - 2:30
Quick review at 9 AM, confined session, packed lunch, one open water dive; finish with debrief.
Tuesday: Takata 9:00 - 2:30
Morning exercises, packed lunch, afternoon dive with debrief
Wednesday: Takata 9:00 - 5:30
Morning exercises, packed lunch, two open water dives
Path Two: Certified Divers
Monday: Takata 9:00 - 1:00
Two top reef dives to assess buoyancy, air consumption, and equipment handling.
Tuesday & Wednesday: Takata 9:00 - 1:00
Advanced dives (walls, canyons, topography) based on certification level and preferences—biodiversity focus (north/shallow) or dramatic topography (south/deeper)
Both Diving Groups
Thursday, Nov 5 — Coral Restoration
Sunrise Tea · Yoga · Coral Restoration Workshop · Packed Lunch · Coral Restoration Interpretation Dive · Sound Bath with Ixchel
Friday, Nov 6 — Lionfish Expedition
Sunrise Tea · Breakfast · Lionfish Hunting Expedition Dive · Ceviche preparation · Free Time & Treatments · Fire Circle
Saturday, Nov 7 — Closing
Sunrise Tea · Morning Yoga · Breakfast · Departure at 10:00 AM
WANT TO TALK TO US?
Wellness & Recovery
Dive Deep. Recover Fully.
Unlike traditional dive trips focused only on diving, this retreat is intentionally designed to support recovery and nervous system regulation between dives.
In the mornings and afternoons, we will have wellness sessions including:
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Gentle yoga
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Breathwork
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Stretching & mobility
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Cold Plunge
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Tea Bath
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Sound Bath
Your retreat includes one treatment, but you can add more a la carte throughout the week.
Treatments include:
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Massage
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Reiki
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Biofrequency Therapy
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Chakra Healing Therapy
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Private Tea Bath
This will help you stay energized, healthy and rejuvenated throughout the week.
The Mesoamerican
Barrier Reef
Mahahual sits along the second-largest barrier reef system in the world.
One of the extraordinary things about diving here is accessibility:
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Training reefs only minutes away
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Walls and deeper topography nearby
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Diverse reef systems within short boat rides
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Excellent biodiversity
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Morning dives typically offer the best visibility and conditions.
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Weather permitting, we will take a trip to Banco Chinchorro, one of the most treasured diving spots on the Mesoamerican Reef.
Takata Experience
Diving with Purpose
Takata is a unique Dive and Research Center located in Mahahual, Mexico, with a vision to protect marine biodiversity through diving and research.
They focus on educating environmentally conscious divers while making a positive contribution to the local community. They provide personalized attention to divers of all levels of experience, from those breathing underwater for the first time to the more experienced divers who are looking for new challenges and adventure.
But Takata is not just about diving!
It’s a magnet that attracts people with positive energy and a commitment to the environment.
As a dive center, Takata uses its profits to fund the MARES Center and its important research and restoration projects.
What’s Included
Accomodations:
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6 nights of luxurious accommodations at Mahai Retreat (Mahahual, Mexico) - Choose your housing type at registration.
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Fresh, nourishing meals
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All wellness workshops and group activities: yoga, breathwork, cold plunge, sound bath, fire circle
- 1 Treatment (Massage, Reiki, Biofrequency)
Diving (Choose your path):
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Beginner's Open Water Certification:
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Online Open Water PADI e-course (4 to 5 hours of training plus online exam to be completed before arrival)
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3 days of in class and in water training towards certification.
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4 exploration dives with the certified divers (2 dives per morning trip)
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Certified Divers:
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Exploration dives - 2 per day for 5 days.
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What’s Not Included
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Equipment Rental (extra $100 includes fins, mask, wetsuits, weights, tanks, regulator and BCD - if you only need regulator and BCD it is still $100)
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Travel to Mahai Retreat (Mahahual, Mexico)
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Alcoholic drinks
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Additional massages or other treatments
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Your Insurance. We require you to have:
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Medical Insurance
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Travel Insurance
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Personal Diving Insurance. We recommend DAN (Divers Alert Network).
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Food That Fuels Your Reconnection
Food at Mahai is its own journey of healing and nourishment.
Every meal is designed by our on-site chef and nutritionist to fuel your journey:
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Tropical fruits, eggs, yogurt, and oatmeal to start your day strong
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Vibrant lunches and dinners with whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and soups with exquisite vegetarian or delicious local meat protein options.
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Light, satisfying desserts made with clean ingredients
→ All meals support energy, clarity, and balance—no decision fatigue, just deep nourishment.
Housing at Mahai
You deserve a true escape—a place where you can finally breathe, unwind, and be cared for. At Mahai, we’ve created a sanctuary where every detail is designed to melt stress and welcome you into deep comfort and renewal.
Your accommodations here are spacious, luxurious, and thoughtfully curated to support your journey back to ease and joy. From plush beds to serene ocean views, you’ll find a space that honors your need for rest and restoration.
Our Rooms:
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10 Suites
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2 Penthouse Suites
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King Bed, Day Bed, Rooftop seating with Pergola
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2 Mahai Suites
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King Bed, Day Bed, Garden, entry seating area
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2 Ocean Suites (1 with Air Conditioning)
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King Bed or 2 singles, Day Bed
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3 Ocean Double Suites
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2 matrimonial beds, Day bed
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1 Triple Suite
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3 singles, sofa, seating area
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Dorm
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4 person dormitory community room. Shares bathrooms with camping and pool area.
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- Camping Grove
- 4 camping spots to set up your tent
Travel
Mahai is located in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
The Tulum Airport (TQO) is the closest International airport to Mahai and is about a 2-1/2 hour drive. You can also fly in to Cancun (CUN), a 5 to 6 hour drive to Mahai. We work with a shuttle company that travels from Tulum to Mahahual or Cancun to Mahahual. We can help arrange transportation from these airports with you after you have registered for the retreat.
The domestic airport in Chetumal (CTM) is a 2 hour drive to Mahai. It is easy to find a taxi from this airport and make your way to Mahai.
