Just completed my Open Water PADI course with Native Diving Ecuador and couldn’t be more stoked with the experience. Jerome and Santiago were absolute legends—professional, patient, and genuinely passionate about diving. They made the whole process smooth, safe, and super enjoyable from start to finish. As someone who trains and works in movement and rehab, I really appreciated their focus on clear instruction and calm, confident coaching—exactly what you want when you’re learning something new (and underwater!). The dives were epic, and the whole vibe of the team was welcoming and fun. (The banana bread on the boat was a winner.) Massive thanks to the crew—highly recommend this spot if you’re looking to get certified in Ecuador. Michael

Santiago, our dive instructor, was kind and encouraging throughout the entire time. His fun attitude was essential in helping some students overcome their fear and dive into scuba! While the dive in the bay of Puerto Lopez was more murky visibility, we still had fun and saw some sting rays and puffer fish. Our time in las Islas Los Ahorcados, we had around 20 meters of visibility and saw amazing fish, coral, rays, and some saw some sharks. On both the way out and back to Los Ahorcados, we saw and stopped to view whales. Great experience! Only the instructor had a dive computer and a depth meter. Some of the air tubes had slight leaks on their connection points with the tanks, but that was not a problem. Overall, it was an incredible time and Santiago was great in helping us get scuba diving certified!

If I could give Native Diving more than 5 stars, I would! From start to finish, this was easily one of the most fun, comfortable, and professionally run dive experiences I’ve ever had. Jerome, the owner, clearly loves what he does - which sets the tone for the whole operation. He is super thoughtful and goes above and beyond to make sure every diver has an amazing experience. Instructor Santiago is so awesome - super welcoming, fun, knowledgeable, and makes you feel at ease immediately. The whole crew (wish I caught all the names!) was top-notch… warm, helpful, and genuinely fun to be around. Antonio is a very talented captain (also a dive master!), and Victor, the sailor, keeps the entire boat running like clockwork. He helps everyone in and out of gear, organizes everything, and somehow still manages to make these delicious gourmet sandwiches while we're diving you get to finish your dive and enjoy. Legend! I’m already certified so joined for many fun dives. My friend had such a great time she ended up doing both her Open Water and Advanced certs here. We had unforgettable dives, with rich marine life everywhere and a long time dream of diving with manta rays at Bajo Cope! Can’t recommend Native Diving enough. Luxury-level treatment, pro-level operation, and just a really great vibe all around.

It’s been a while since I met such a friendly, smiling, and professional crew. Santi, Dubel, Captain Antonio, Jerome — huge thanks for those few awesome dives. I really love how you run things, how much passion you put into it, and the great vibe you create. Thanks for all the tips — I've finally learned the drifts. I never expected we’d see so much in such a short time!!! fantastic adventure, see ya next time!!!

I hate giving 1 stars, but I have been a diver since 2009 (I am now 32 years old) & I was really concerned with the level of professionalism & safety with this dive company. I had read all the reviews & seen '4.6 star' so thought they were good. Here are the big 'stand out' problems which I hope you address: 1. Of 8 x staff members on board, only 1 x introduced themselves. With all my dive experience, we know who the dive masters are and who is our guide for each group. 2. Our 'dive master' was the captain of the boat who drove to the dive site & spoke no English. He never once asked our names, never once introduced himself, or asked our level of diving or even said 'hello' or 'how are you'. Super awful, especially once you've driven 90 minutes out to sea to Baja cope and paid $120.00 3. The dive school Never asked for my diver license (I could have been lying about my scuba level). This is super dangerous. 4. We were stuck in a BIG group of PADI open water & Advanced divers. The majority of the dive, the diver master was checking to see if the students had enough air. I don't understand why we had to be in one big group. This was ridiculous. 5. The equipment was not great. There was no depth gage. How are you supposed to know how deep you are?? I spoke to the PADI students and I found put they were not learning with a depth gage - this is so dangerous and not PADI certification. Also some of the respirators leaked or where too short. I drank so much water on my second dive. 6. Once back on shore, there was no regroup / signatures in dive books. It seems they don't even do this exercise with the students. Makes me so sad. As when I was learning this was the best part! (Talking about the dive, researching fish, learning more). Lazy instructors?? Or they simply don't care, or perhaps don't know how to be teachers? If you want to learn, I would learn elsewhere. This is not the proper dive experience, sorry to say.💔💔💔

I had the pleasure of diving with Native Diving and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great diving experience. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and they went above and beyond to make sure that I had a safe and enjoyable time. My instructor Jules was was also brilliant. I had never been diving before, so I was a little nervous about the experience. However, the staff there were very patient and understanding, and they took the time to explain everything to me in detail. They also made sure that I was comfortable with the equipment before we went in the water. I had such a great time with them that I'm already planning my next trip. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a great diving experience. P.s. English speaking

I did my open water certificate with native diving Ecuador and it was a great experience. Very knowledgeable French, English and Spanish speaking instructors with a love for the sport and appreciation and respect for the marine life. On the second day we went far out into the open waters to look for manta rays. Definitely no ordinary first diving experience.

Pali Santo Travel is amazing. Cristina and her team are very professional, affordable rates and one of a kind experiences. I got to go out 3 days to do whale and dolphin watching and each day I felt so taken care of. What an amazing experience! They were vegan/gluten free friendly with lunches which is a huge 👍🏾

Very good experience. The guides were very nice, accommodating and spoke great English. It was a lot of fun and good value for the money. Enjoyed the snacks. Travel to and from montanita was easy, was able to book one day prior!

We did the ‘scientific tour’ of $90. It was okay. We spent 2 hours chasing the same mom and baby trying to get a sample. They got scared and dove under every time we came close. Not allowed to take photos of the ‘shooting’ but they were shooting every time we got close! Resulting in us not having ANY good photos or videos. As photographers we specifically joined this tour for good footage. Deeply disappointing. The biologists did not tell us much about the whales or migration etc. For double the price, we don’t find it worth it. Do not join this tour if they are doing skin sampling, because you will be disappointed. REGULAR TOUR: Still, if we did the Regular tour we would have felt even more ripped off: the regular whale watching was only 2x 10minutes! Many times we passed jumping whales but they did not even stop to watch! The whole world comes here to see the whales and than to rush it like this is very disappointing. Many people on the boat we spoke were very disappointed. FOOD Food was mediocre, unhealthy and very sugary. Only sugarloaded coke to drink and sandwich with jelly. Didn’t get any water. GUIDES The guides did not introduce themselves and barely interacted with us to make it a fun or interesting day. COMMUNICATION Also the communication on whatsapp was very very bad. It took 3 days of inefficient texting to book this tour. Everything was very lastminute and it gave us unnecessary stress during the time we were in Puerto Lopez. The lady told us we could bring a drone to film, but on the boat they said it’s not allowed near the island and also did not accommodate us later on the tour. They basically ignored our request.

We absolutely loved the tour of Isla de la Plata with Palo Santo this September. Our guides were so friendly, funny and knowledgeable, the lunch served onboard was delicious, and the service was very professional. We saw so much wildlife, even whales 4 meters from the boat!! Well worth the cost and an unforgettable experience!

Isla de la playa was really awesome. We saw humpback whales and the island was beautiful, and snorkeling was really fun. They let us jump off the top of the boats, plus they had a birthday party and we ate birthday cake. We had 4 snacks and the trip lasted from 9 until about 4. Great price for everything that we got to do. The staff was really friendly and helpful. I think there was a language barrier, but the lady quoted me a price, but later charged me the regular price. It may be a cultural thing because this has happened several times in Ecuador.

Knowledge bilingual guide. Helpful crew. Beautiful views with whales and boobies included!!

We did the isla de la plata daytrip with palosanto and it was amazing, mostly because of the whales. I wish we could have spent more time with the whales or gotten a bit closer, sometimes it felt we were rushing to get to our other activities, and in the end we were back earlier than planned. But getting to the island was also a great experience and would be worth it even if it is not the season for whales, with all of the cool birds there. The only thing I didn't like is that one of our guides was feeding the fishes and turtles to get them to the boat for the snorkeling, so people didn't need to swim to look for them. I think they are wild animals and should not get used to be fed by humans or they will stop feeding themselves. You will still see them while snorkeling even if they are not baited, you just have to look a bit more. It was nice to see several turtles when coming into the bay at the island, but when we found out that they are only there because people are feeding them trash, it became less nice. Our other guide was very informative during the hike and we learned a lot, so it was definately a great day!

If you're considering diving in Ecuador, stop looking and book with Mares Ecuador. Pablo, Christina, and their incredible crew (including the beloved Manta, Pirata, and Max) roll out the red carpet from start to finish. From comfortable accommodations to delicious breakfasts and seamless dive operations, everything is handled with warmth, care, and true professionalism. But as amazing as the team is, the real star of the show was Mother Nature. On our journey to Isla de la Plata, we were treated to countless Humpback whales, including babies learning to breach—an absolute spectacle! Underwater, we explored vibrant marine life: giant starfish, swirling schools of tropical fish, curious Moray eels, more sea turtles than I could count, and the showstopper—giant manta rays with wingspans of 6–7 metres. During one dive, several mantas circled us for nearly 30 minutes. It was mesmerizing—like they were watching us as much as we were watching them. I've done over 70 dives, and this experience easily ranks in my top five. The combination of incredible wildlife, expert guidance, and heartfelt hospitality makes Mares Ecuador a must-do for any diver. I can’t wait to return!

100% - we had a perfect diving experience here: successfully passed our exam of the PADI open water diver and made new friends. The Mares Ecuador team & school are familial, passionate and in the same time very professional and supportive. Classes were available in Spanish, English and German; boats and diving equipment have top quality. Fun, underwater thrill plus license - enjoy this triad from pool towards ‘Isla de la plata’. We are looking forward to more joint diving adventures & booked already the next guided tour.

An Unforgettable Experience with Mares Dive School! 🌊🐠 If you're looking for a reliable, professional, and truly ethical dive school in Ecuador, Mares is the perfect choice. Located in a stunning natural setting, this school is much more than just a dive center — it's a true example of responsible tourism and love for the ocean. From the very beginning, Pablo and Christina, together with their family and amazing team, make you feel right at home. Their passion for the sea, commitment to environmental care, and personalized attention truly stand out. Each dive is carefully planned with the highest safety standards, all while showing deep respect for marine life. The instructors are patient, highly skilled, and have a unique ability to build confidence in both beginners and advanced divers. The gear is in excellent condition, and every detail is thoughtfully arranged to provide a safe, educational, and enriching experience. One of the things I appreciated the most was their focus on marine conservation. This is not just a dive school — it’s a platform to learn about underwater ecosystems, how to protect them, and why it's so important. It's truly inspiring to see how they integrate environmental education into every part of the process. Without a doubt, Mares Dive School not only delivers what it promises, but goes above and beyond. Whether you're looking to get certified or simply enjoy a one-of-a-kind underwater experience, here you'll find a warm, responsible, and passionate community. I would return a thousand times over! 100% recommended. 🌿💙

Amazing experience! We went to see the mantas and we had the best experience. Great food, professional team and they know the place really well so I felt really safe and happy with what we got to see.

Great diving school with marvelous dive instructors. My wife Sophia did her PADI Open Water Diver here and I my Advanced Diver. We felt secure and well accompanied all the time during exercises in the pool as well as navigating, deep dive and night dive in the Pacific Ocean.. plus, it was so much fun with Lucio, Marty, Javier, Lucas and the rest of the crew. Don't miss the tour to Isla de la Plata with its beautiful colorful underwater world. We will come back in January for our next dive adventure here!

Fantastic dives at Isla de la Plata. Pablo and his team were excellent. We saw several manta rays, countless turtles, moray eels and other fish. Incredible experience and glad to have a tour guide who was experienced in the area.

This Mares Ecuador diver shop is wonderful. We went to Isla de la Plata. The team did an outstanding job of conducting the trip. I have an open water 2 and the other person in our group was just getting an introduction to SCUBA. As both a diver and a pilot, I was so struck by the shops teamwork and commitment to safety. Perfect. They also have an amazing level of customer service. They provided a really nice meal on the trip and even had coffee for everyone before we left. Cannot recommend this group enough. Regardless of your skill level, I think you will be very pleased to do a trip or even a certification w them.

Hey team, I just wanted to thank you for those amazing dives. It was pure joy to go underwater with you in such a unique place. I was absolutely thrilled that we saw so many mantas, but just as happy that I got to meet you and be part of such a perfectly organized adventure. You created such a great vibe, brought together a bunch of strangers, and showed us this beautiful spot – which, let’s be real, was also a bit of a challenge. I’m super grateful for all the tips, info, jokes, and for the way you were always one step ahead of us – it made everything run so smoothly. This is seriously one of the top dive centers I’ve dived with – super professional, but also totally chill. I really appreciate all the little details you care about: everything kept tidy, our bags labeled with our names, asking about our expectations (and actually delivering on them), the clear and easy-to-follow briefings with dive site maps!!!!!, the smooth and almost invisible service (most of us didn’t even notice when you swapped our tanks for fresh ones), all those endless whale-watching stops, your calmness both underwater and on the boat, and at the same time keeping a super friendly vibe at the base (thanks girls!). Seriously – thank you. It was a truly special day.

The diving experience was amazing. I dive for about 10 years, in multiple countries. and this was the best dive shop ive been in. Very professional guide, talks fluent english, very patient and helpful . The equipment is was very good as well. Warmly recommend to go to puerto lopez and dive with them.

Super experience with the exploramar team! Took my advanced open water here, Luis is a great instructor, highly recommend. Isla de la plata is a excellent diving spot it was epic to see the manta rays every dive and the whales breaching on the way there.

The worst organized dive school I’ve ever dived with in my life. My brother and I were really excited to dive at Isla de Plata — we came all the way from Holland and only had a few days, so I planned this dive about two weeks in advance. Everything seemed confirmed and perfectly arranged. Two days before the dive, the company reached out to us and tried to change the date. Since we already had other plans, we decided to stick with the original booking. Then, just one day before the dive, Sam confirmed our meeting time for the next morning. However, later that same afternoon, she sent me a WhatsApp message saying the dive was cancelled because there weren’t enough clients signed up. There was no phone call, no attempt to offer an alternative solution, and absolutely no empathy for our situation — they simply cancelled without any consideration. To make things worse, they refused to refund the money immediately, insisting it would take 24 hours, by which time we had already left the city. This is actually the second time something like this has happened, and my trust in this company and its staff is now completely gone. Their loss — they’ve lost what could have been loyal customers. I don’t recommend booking a dive with this school in advance, as they might cancel on you just half a day before your scheduled dive.

All true..... great experience. Great day. I did not see whales and dolphins .. not the season but great great day. Great boat, great guys, great crew... Be prepared for 4 km trek. Enjoy snockling. Tortues great birds and fish.... $35.all day Bought ticket in the agency. PS: top respect for H&S☺️

I went with a group to dive and watch manta rays and it was an amazing experience. The whole crew is super friendly and helpful.

Spend a really nice day with Exploramar in front of the isla de plata. The dives were amazing, everybody was super nice and I felt really good taken care of. Thank you guys 🙏

Amazing diving time with all the crew members. Especially Marie Jose and Josue, very nice people. Gears and boat are well maintained. We saw manta rays and whales every time in our 3 days of trip ! 🤩

I go diving and snorkeling with this agency every month! Amazing attitude! They provide excellent service and make you feel welcome all the time ☺️

Best scuba agency in puerto lopez! Very responsive, up to date equipment, boats are very clean and all staff members are friendly and knowledgeable. I did my open water course and they made it an easy process from the beginning. Will be back!

Wow simply perfect. Hernan, Ronald, Eduardo, Andres, Jonatan and others whose names I don't remember were all soo friendly, accommodating, pleasant, and fun. I highly recommend them all. Thank you all for a memorable few days/tours and making sure I got back to Puerto López in time to catch the bus to manta and flight to Quito. Fondest regards. See you again someday soon. 🙏

I went to La Isla de la Plata for a diving tour—the dive masters, Suzana and Majo, were very professional and had a light energy. The boat was clean and the group of divers was small. After the tour, they share videos from the dives. Anibal, the captain, was amazing. They took care of my diet preferences, and they're very attentive. We spot dolphins on the way to La Isla, lots of mantarays during the dives and humpback whale, I enjoyed the day. Thanks guys!

Best tour company to dive with in Puerto Lopez! Since Exploramar Diving cancelled our dive last minute, we found out about “Machalilla Tours”. We really loved all the dives we had from beginning untill the end: The divemaster was great and made very good videos of us during the dive, the equipement was good, the diveschool is responsive by call and whatsapp. For lunch we had fruits and sandwiches and because of lowseason we even had an private dive. Everything was great and we even saw a whaleshark ! 100% recommend when you’re looking for diving in puerto lopez!

Great dive operators, super nice and very knowledgeable about the dive sites. Will dive again with them!

(Translated by Google) For the price, I highly recommend it. If you're traveling to Puerto López and want to have a good time, it's a good option. (Original) Por el precio lo recomiendo bastante, si viajas a Puerto López y quieres pasarla bien es una buena opción.

(Translated by Google) Best adventure on the coast. The crew is very patient and makes every effort to see as many animals as possible. The whale watching lasted much longer than other operators (Original) Mejor aventura en la costa. La tripulación tiene mucha paciencia y hace todo el esfuerzo de ver la mayor cantidad de animales. El avistamiento de ballenas fue mucho mas tiempo que en otra operadoras

(Translated by Google) Highly recommended... excellent service!! (Original) Recomendadísimos... excelente atención!!

(Translated by Google) Excellent service (Original) Exelente servicio

(Translated by Google) Nothing impressive (Original) Nada impresionante