Do you use valet services?

[gopbroek]

I always use a valet boat (was a single boat op) and mistakes are pretty rare, when it does happen they have a procedure in place for working it out, like using a runner to the paradise beach or palancar pier while the boat is in transit. With the number of op's and the competition on Cozumel the op's are very good at keeping the gear straight and having it ready to go on the boat and if an error occurs, correcting it.

 

[KathyV]

What dive ops offer valet services (in Cozumel and elsewhere)? We are planning a trip for the fall and we love valet services - we are getting older and schlepping tanks and maintaining heavy equipment is getting more difficult.

We are used to getting valet services from Reef Divers on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and we would love to find something comparable in other locations. We have never had any problems with Reef Divers or on liveaboards with valet services.

 

[gopbroek]

What dive ops offer valet services (in Cozumel and elsewhere)? We are planning a trip for the fall and we love valet services - we are getting older and schlepping tanks and maintaining heavy equipment is getting more difficult.

We are used to getting valet services from Reef Divers on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and we would love to find something comparable in other locations. We have never had any problems with Reef Divers or on liveaboards with valet services.

Tres Pelicanos, they are not only a Valet op but let you dive your tank.

 

[KathyV]

Tres Pelicanos, they are not only a Valet op but let you dive your tank.

Thanks, have you done a hotel/dive package with them? Where did you stay?

 

[ggunn]

...but let you dive your tank.

Actually, that is pretty common practice on Cozumel.

---------- Post added March 3rd, 2015 at 06:27 PM ----------

What dive ops offer valet services (in Cozumel and elsewhere)? We are planning a trip for the fall and we love valet services - we are getting older and schlepping tanks and maintaining heavy equipment is getting more difficult.

No dive ops on Cozumel require you to haul your own tanks.

 

[MMM]

Yes sir! There were only a handful of dive ops doing valet service when I first started coming but now there are more choices. I have NEVER had a piece of gear missing and started diving with these guys more than a decade ago. Most ops have a "system" for keeping your gear together. My stuff is always sitting under my seat, unpacked, neatly folded, in the order I will be donning everything. My wetsuit is sweet smelling because he keeps and washes it. Different ops have different inclusions for valet and amenities on the boat, so make sure you are clear on all. I get all gear rinsed and stored, including my wetsuit and hooded vest...fleece jackets to wear on the boat, towels, fruit, pastries, water and soft drinks, a surface interval on the beach, seat cushions on the boat ride, a huge camera rinse tank, in-town pick up, gear picked up and delivered to my abode at the beginning and end (no trips to the shop), and the option of using large LP steel 120 tanks. But I just use the 90s or I would truly be "Living Underwater". The only finger I lift is to press my camera shutter button. Well, I carry my computer home to log my dives and my camera to look at my pretty pictures (and erase the not so pretty ones). Both my dives today were 85 minutes.

I want to recount this story, just to make a point about the REALLY TOP NOTCH shops. Toward the end of the first dive, it was just me, the DM and a NAUI DM from the New England area as the other divers had already gone up. We were cruising along at about 40 feet and saw a cattle boat dump a pile of divers in the water. Then we saw a guy in full panic mode swimming as hard as he could for the surface. Our DM dropped his reel and took off to intercept him and try to keep him from killing himself. Turned out the guy's mask had flooded and he didn't know how to clear it! He escorted the diver to his boat, saw him safely on board and then returned to get his reel from me. I doubt the other DM had even noticed what had transpired. All I can say is please try one of these valet ops. I don't think you will be disappointed. I highly recommend Living Underwater. The owner is your DM, customer sales rep, and gear washer/tender.

 

[rossandmaureen]

Marg is quite correct in her assessment of Living Underwater. I have used this dive op on nine trips to Cozumel and would not consider making a change. I have no doubt that others on this board have their favorites and cheerlead for them for good reason as I think that all the valet ops likely keep track of what their competition is doing. I do think the Jeremy at Living Underwater is one of the few (or perhaps only) that keeps your wetsuit and has it ready for you cleaned and nice and dry the next day. Combine that with dive your tank/computer, steel 120's, beach club surface intervals, snacks/water/pop on board, no charge for southern sites, warm parkas/towels and a great crew and owner....tough to beat!

 

[Saltyhawg]

When we dove Cozumel last year with Paradise Divers the only way you would have to surface before your air/NDL made you would be if your air outlasted the DM.....never happened in our group.

 

[Ron Lee]

This happened to me once. When I boarded the boat, I noticed some piece of gear--fins, if I recall--was not there. The boat radioed their sister boat, the two boats rendezvoused as we headed out to the dive site, and the other crew handed my fins to me.

Check your gear as soon as you board the boat. Any issue is resolved.

 

[gopbroek]

Yes, and I have stayed at the Bahia and Colonial (love the breakfast buffet included at Casa Mexicana) both are good hotels and inexpensive. Check with Jeanie she is very straight up to deal with.

(FYI, hit the wrong button, was replying to Kathy V post)