About us

Kaptain is not a travel agency.

Kaptain is an experience, designed to help you discover Mexican culture, its way of life, the beauty of the country and its dive sites.

KAPTAIN KAPLUN

My name is Fernando Kaplun and I was born in Mexico City.

I grew up in one of the biggest cities in the world, but my passion for diving started very early.

It was thanks to one of my dear aunts, the first female dive instructor in Mexico. She used to take us along on her trips all over the country.

For me it was obvious: I wanted to become a diver.

At 12, I got my first dive certification.

After studying International Business in Mexico City, at 20 I made the big decision to follow my dream and move to Playa del Carmen, in the Riviera Maya, on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. I wanted to make a living doing what I love most; I wanted to live happily by the sea.

That’s how my career as a dive instructor began, 16 years ago.

I first worked on the beach, learning different water sports (windsurfing, fishing, snorkeling, sailing…) and then at a dive center inside a prestigious hotel. It was a very rewarding experience, where I learned about the needs and expectations of very different kinds of clients.

After five years learning as an employee, I felt the need for a new challenge. I wanted to open my own dive center. Just when I thought my International Business studies would never be useful, the perfect opportunity came to put all that knowledge into practice. Sharing the same passion with a great friend, we decided to embark on this crazy adventure.

In 2012 we had the opportunity to open not just a dive center, but a whole marina with diving and other water sports inside a prestigious 5-star hotel: the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda.

That’s how Dive-X was born.

Day after day, more than ten years went by. So many faces, so many stories and lessons, and yet I feel like my first day was yesterday. Making a living doing what you love is a real pleasure and a great opportunity. How many dives have I done? Good question, but as they say: “When you love something, you don’t count.”

I love challenges and I love to learn. In recent years I have never stopped improving and training. I am not only a dive instructor, I am also a cave diving guide, especially in the famous cenotes of the Riviera Maya.

The hotel where my dive center is located not only gave me professional freedom: it is also where I met my wife, while she was there on vacation.

In December 2021, after six years together, we said “I do” in Lille, in northern France, where she is from. My life then took a completely different direction. Dive-X is doing very well, but I felt I needed a new challenge.

I want to go further. I want to share my passion and my culture, and that’s why I created Kaptain.

Kaptain is not a travel agency; Kaptain is an experience, my experience.

I would love for you to discover Mexican culture, my way of life and, above all, the beauty of my country and its incredible dive sites.

Wherever you come from, we will travel together to enjoy some of the best diving experiences in the Riviera Maya. It will be an adventure, a fully immersive trip alongside a local. You will also discover traditional Mexican dishes and places only locals go to, far from the tourist routes.

I am passionate about what I do and very proud of my country. What makes me happy is sharing what I have.

Do you love diving? Are you drawn to new experiences and adventure?

Then I have exactly what you are looking for.

Get in touch and let’s meet. Let’s set up an online call or a coffee: I’ll be happy to meet you.