Meet Andy Stewart

Andy Stewart is a PADI Course Director, technical diving instructor, and cave diver based in Mahahual, Mexico, with over 15 years of experience teaching recreational, professional, technical, cavern, and DPV diving.

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Originally from New Zealand, Andy learned to dive at the age of 15 and quickly developed a passion for underwater exploration, education, and the ocean environment. Over the years, that passion evolved into a career spanning dive instruction, instructor development, technical diving, operational consulting, and environmental advocacy.

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Before relocating permanently to Mexico, Andy built extensive experience within the diving industry in New Zealand and internationally. He served for more than 10 years as an Executive Board Member and is a Life Member of the New Zealand Underwater Association (NZUA), contributing to diver advocacy, fisheries management discussions, and environmental initiatives.

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His background also includes involvement in underwater cleanup projects, Project AWARE activities, and organizing nationwide fundraising efforts supporting marine conservation and cleanup diving.

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Andy’s professional diving career has included leadership and training roles within major dive operations, including working as Training Manager at a PADI 5 Star IDC Centre. As a PADI Course Director, he teaches a full range of PADI programs from beginner certifications through to Instructor level. His teaching philosophy focuses on safety, comfort, skill development, and building confident, capable divers through individualised instruction and small group experiences.

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Alongside recreational and professional training, Andy developed a strong passion for technical and overhead environment diving. His initial cave diving training was completed in Australia through the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA), with additional cave and technical training later completed in Mexico.

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​Andy continues to develop his own diving and teaching through advanced technical and cave training with organizations including TDI, GUE, and IANTD, learning from some of the world’s leading technical diving instructors. He believes that quality mentorship, real-world experience, and strong instruction are just as important as certifications when it comes to developing safe, capable, and confident divers.

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That passion for exploration eventually brought him permanently to the Yucatán Peninsula, where he has completed hundreds of cave dives and continues exploring lesser-known reef and cave systems throughout the region.

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Living and diving in Mahahual has allowed Andy to combine his passion for exploration with one of the Caribbean's most unique diving destinations, where deep reefs, DPV exploration, technical diving and nearby cave systems create opportunities far beyond the typical holiday dive experience.

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After teaching divers in New Zealand, Mexico, and internationally I wanted to build something different in Mahahual. Instead of large groups and fixed schedules, I created Mahahual Underwater Explorers to offer small-group diving, personalised training and genuine underwater exploration.

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Every diver has different goals, whether they're taking their first breaths underwater, earning a certification, or preparing for technical diving. Every course and every dive should reflect those goals by providing the time, attention and support needed to help each diver become safer, more confident and more capable underwater.​

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Today, through Mahahual Underwater Explorers, Andy offers personalised reef, DPV, technical, cavern and guided cave diving experiences throughout Mahahual and the Costa Maya region. From vibrant Caribbean reefs and DPV-assisted exploration dives to advanced technical training and guided cavern experiences, every dive is tailored to the individual diver’s experience level and goals.

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As Mahahual’s only instructor offering technical diving and DPV training, Andy specialises in small groups, personalised instruction, safety-focused diving, and authentic underwater exploration. He also has access to a dedicated training pool for skill development and diver comfort sessions, allowing students to progress in a relaxed and controlled environment.

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Beyond teaching and guiding, Andy has also worked as a technical advisor assisting dive operations with safety procedures, SOP reviews, and risk management practices. His experience has included reviewing diving accident findings and advising on operational best practices, bringing a strong professional and safety-focused approach to every aspect of diving instruction and exploration.

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Whether guiding certified divers, mentoring future professionals, or introducing new divers to the underwater world for the first time, Andy’s goal remains the same: creating safe and memorable diving experiences built around genuine exploration, strong diver education, and a lifelong passion for the underwater world.

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