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Diving with… Aydin Dinc, The Cenote Guy, Mexico

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In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…


What is your name?

My name is Aydin Dinc.

What is the name of your business?

The Cenote Guy – Cenote Diving.

What is your role within the business?

Founder. I’m guiding in the Cenotes and I’m the manager of the business.

How long has the business operated for?

We started in February 2018.

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

Professionally diving since 2017 in Mexico.

Got certified in 1998. I was mostly diving for fun during vacations in the Mediterranean.

2017 MSDT Padi instructor

2017 TDI full cave Diver

What is your favorite type of diving?

For sure, cavern diving. I also love Ocean diving, the Big Blue and marine life.

Cavern and Cave is more like a living style, a daily ritual, a spiritual thought process for me.

Diving in caverns in very addictive. I enjoy the caverns on a daily basis and practice cave diving on my days off.

If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you, what would it be?

We are specialized in cavern diving and that´s what make our strength. The dives are tailormade taking into consideration the diver’s experience and skills. We are not doing any courses; we are not doing Ocean dives. We want to give you the best in cenote diving. Fully concentrating on GUIDING. Safety being our biggest focus. And, word of mouth, that’s how our customers choose us. That’s a niche we have chosen because it is not “regular diving.” It’s special, it’s Cenote Diving.

What is your favourite dive in your location and why?

Little Brother is by far the most enchanting dive of all. My personal favorite. Incredibly beautiful and with the most features you can have in Cenote diving. I am proud to guide in this place where you have the feeling of being on another planet, where the words are missing when trying to describe the experience.

What types of diving are available in your location?

We only do cavern diving. So, the main parameter is how much you get inside the overhead environment. I personally categorise them as:

Semi open water dives: The open water surface is wide and easy to spot, like Kukulkan, little brother, eden,  Barbie line, carwash, casa Cenote etc.

Penetration dives: You have this real feeling of getting under the ground and tunnels, adventure lovers are welcome! Tajmaha, Batcave, dreamgate etc.

Open water dives: Technically open water dives, but all around 30 meters / 90 feet of depth, for advanced divers. Like Angelita, zapot , Kinha etc.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

I’m into guiding and sharing my passion with my fellow divers is the best reward. It’s amazing how diving creates bonds after having done a Cenote dive. I have seen people crying after the dives, being moved. It’s impacting, calming and so out of this world. It’s a spiritual calling. And believe me, to be someone witnessing the emotion and in a way being the one that is facilitating such moments, is the greatest reward. Back in time, my first cenote dives were the most exciting things I have ever done in my life. And I know that it’s the case for the majority of our divers. A life changing experience.

What is your favorite underwater creature?

My favourite underwater creatures, that we are lucky to spot in a couple of cenotes, are the crocodiles. They are laying on the rocks and watching us calmly. They are the real inhabitants of the cenotes. They are small and very inoffensive. Always a nice encounter for our divers.

As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?

The fast growth of the region is somehow menacing our beautiful cenotes. We would like to keep this activity as an off the beaten path one!

Is your center involved in any environmental work?

We care about the environment and we are trying to reduce our footprint. No plastic cups and bags, no chemicals in the cenotes. We are helping and working with the local Mayan community to minimize our waste.

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

We are very happy and proud to have very competitive pricing. Having a high demand, we are doing way better in our offer for the people willing to have a very private experience to celebrate birthdays, honeymoons and special days in the cenotes. As our team of instructors is getting bigger, it’s easier to separate private divers from the other divers. We are into diversifying our offer to match with the demand. Keeping the quality and the safety as our main concern.

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?

From what we can see in the Riviera Maya, tourism activity is increasing. This region is the pearl of Mexican tourism. Radical measures should be taken to allow this blooming to be regulated in order to respect the nature. Unfortunately, the educative ‘pink’ approach is not working anymore – my humble opinion.

From the Airport on arrival to the departure day, the tourist should be hammered with preventive (and punitive) measures to make sure the preservation and protection of the environment is ensured.

Finally, what would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

Cenote diving is a different way of diving. The open water certification is more than enough to enjoy this very amazing adventure. We have seen a lot of divers never going back to “normal” ocean diving after having experienced Cenote Diving 😊

Where can our visitors find out more about your business? 

www.thecenoteguy.com

WhatsApp messages only: +52 984 100 78 65

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecenoteguy

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecenoteguy

Marine Life & Conservation

Raising Awareness for Scuttle the Cuttle – A Global First in Tackling Microplastic Pollution

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Addressing the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution, a new innovation is turning the tide—by placing real-world environmental action in the hands of children. Scuttle the Cuttle, a microplastic-collecting tool designed specifically for young users, has been launched as a practical and inspiring way to involve families in beach cleanups.

Crafted entirely from recycled ocean plastic, Scuttle is a cuttlefish-shaped combination of bucket and sieve. Its engaging design, sustainability credentials, and focus on education make it more than just a toy—it’s a tool for change.

scuttle the cuttle

Designed for Impact

Scuttle’s core purpose is to help remove microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5mm—from beaches. With a mesh size of 2.8mm, Scuttle can collect small plastic fragments and nurdles before they degrade further. This addresses a critical but often overlooked part of the plastic pollution problem.

Built for Young Eco-Heroes

Scuttle is ergonomically designed for both children and adults. Lightweight, durable, and easy to carry, it allows even the youngest users to contribute meaningfully to beach cleanups. Its approachable design turns environmental action into a fun and empowering activity for children and families.

Circular by Design

From production to end-of-life, Scuttle reflects a strong commitment to the circular economy. Made from 100% recycled ocean plastic and fully recyclable, it is manufactured with long-term use in mind. The product not only removes waste from the environment but also repurposes existing waste in its construction, reducing environmental impact across its lifecycle.

Community and Collaboration

In addition to its environmental function, Scuttle is part of a broader movement to build awareness and encourage local partnerships. It supports responsible sourcing, local collaborations, and community-driven conservation efforts.

Scuttle is now available for purchase and is positioned as the first product of its kind focused specifically on the collection of microplastics through kid-friendly, hands-on cleanup.

For more information about Scuttle the Cuttle, visit odysseyinnovation.com/pages/scuttle.

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Marine Life & Conservation

I.CARE, SSI Blue Oceans, and Mares Team Up to Remove Over 36,000 Pounds of Debris from the Florida Keys

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The 3rd Annual I.CARE Trash Derby has come to a successful close, delivering a powerful message of community-driven conservation. In partnership with SSI Blue Oceans, Mares, and several other industry leaders, I.CARE once again led an inspiring grassroots effort to restore and protect the marine environment of the Florida Keys.

This year’s Trash Derby broke records, drawing support from more than 900 participants—including divers, boaters, and conservation advocates—who collectively removed an impressive 36,459 pounds of marine debris. Over a two-day period, teams worked on land, along shorelines, and at reef sites both above and below the water, making a meaningful contribution to the region’s ecological health.

“I am so proud of everyone involved in last week’s I.CARE Trash Derby,” said Mike Goldberg, Co-Founder of I.CARE. “This level of success comes from the passion and hard work of hundreds of people who care about our oceans, reefs, and local communities. I’m filled with gratitude.”

Recognizing Top Contributors: From Trash to Triumph

The event featured competition across three categories—Land & Shore, Private Boat, and Dive Operator—awarding teams based on the amount of debris collected per person. Additional special recognitions included the most monofilament retrieved and the most unusual item found. Congratulations to the standout teams of 2025:

Land & Shore Division:

  • Tired of Tires – 1,128.75 lbs/person

  • DerSno – 930.7 lbs/person

  • KnotaYacht – 124.2 lbs/person

Private Boat Division:

  • Triple Crown – 1,076.83 lbs/person

  • Fisherman & the Mermaid – 735.95 lbs/person

  • Dumpster Diving Divas – 572.875 lbs/person

Dive Operator Division:

  • Quiescence Diving – 430.6 lbs/person (average)

  • Key Dives – 141.3 lbs/person (average)

  • Captain’s Corner – 83.2 lbs/person (average)

Special Awards:

  • Most Monofilament Collected: Conch Republic Divers (26.8 lbs)

  • Most Unique Item Found: Bilge Buddies

Celebrating Conservation with Community and Education

The weekend concluded with the Trash Derby Festival at Founders Park in Islamorada. Attendees enjoyed live music, food, and sustainability-focused vendors, all centered around marine conservation. The festival also provided opportunities to connect with environmental organizations and celebrate the participants’ achievements.

“The energy and dedication from everyone involved was incredible,” said Rachael Steidley, SSI’s North America Marketing Manager. “This event goes beyond collecting trash—it’s about building a movement and inspiring conservation on a global scale.”

Looking Ahead to 2026: Raising the Bar

Plans are already underway for the 4th Annual I.CARE Trash Derby, with organizers calling on dive pros, boaters, and ocean advocates to help set an even bigger record next year.

To get involved or learn more about how you or your dive shop can participate in 2026, visit www.icaretrashderby.com or contact I.CARE at info@icareaboutcoral.org.

Let’s keep making waves for the planet—one pound at a time.

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