New Divers - Best Place to dive in Mexico

[waterbaby123]

act005,

I have been to Coz many times, and my first trip there was as a newly certified diver. The current happened to be ripping that week...it was the strongest of any trip to Coz I have ever experienced. The key to it all is the dive operator. I only dive with one.

If you book another trip to Coz, look up living-underwater.com and Jeremy Anschel. He takes small groups, has a very personalized operation, is great with all level of diver, and has a great boat. Jeremy realized on my first dive that most of my problems were from ill fitting rental gear that I had brought with me from the states. He took great care of me that first day, and had better gear for me the next day. He taught me a lot about breathing and buoyancy on that first trip...should have charged me for the instruction!

He's also the best critter spotter I have ever encountered...

I hope you have a fantastic trip. Wish I was going too!

 

[scuba driver]

Hi Act 005.

I would recommend you SCUBA S.COOL in PLAYA DEL CARMEN, is a small shop own and run by mexicans, they are specialist in divers like you, that are looking for private services, and is no extra charge with them, the instructor is very experienced with beginners and they never take more than four divers per guide.

There is a dive site in Playa del Carmen where you have high chance to see turtles, "tortugas reef", they can take you there.

I also would recommend you to do "cenote diving" with these guys, the cenotes are sink holes connections to the underground system, and the diving there is just unforgettable.

If you are going to stay in Cozumel and want to try the diving in mainland contact them.

 

[waterbaby123]

Hey scuba,

I've been diving with livingunderwater on the Playa side...tortugas was a beautiful spot. I have never done the cenotes...that sounds very interesting. Why do you like it so much, if I amy ask?

Thanks!

 

[Aqua-Fire]

Sorry for resurrecting an old forum, had to put my .02 in on cabo. Cabo is very beautiful for a non tropical part of mexico. It is more expensive, but thats because its a very high end wealthy area. The town is very much americanized (good or bad, you decide) and it seems to be SoCals wealthy retreat getaway. I had a great time in Cabo, not anymore expensive to stay there than others ive been. (Depends were you stay) I am currently getting my OW cert, so i can not comment on the dive side of it. The harbor is a great time, and plenty of things to do in town (expecially night life.) have friends that loved it so much, they now have a time share and go 3x a year. If your into fishing... you've found your spot.

 

[andreslee]

Please take a look of the images of Alvaro Gonzalez in Cancun he dive with turtles AlwaysDiving | Facebook
I think you can now boon online directly to his website
www.alwaysdiving.com

My wife and I got our OW certification last March in Bayahibe, DR. This year we are looking to head somewhere in Mexico for a spring trip in early February. We did our 4 cert dives and a night dive there. This summer we did a quarry dive and decided that we may be vacation divers

My point here is that we are total newbies and are wondering where in Mexico would be a good place to dive. We want to be able to enjoy ourselves without feeling like we picked a place that was too advanced for us. The current thought was Cozumel, but after reading some on the board, I'll admit I'm worried that may be too much.

No mater where we dive, we plan on hiring a private DM so that we feel comfortable and dive within our limits.

Is there somewhere better suited for us than Cozumel? Is the pacific side better - like Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? Or should we just go to Coz and stay on the easier sites.

Thanks!

Adam

P.S. - My wife's dream is to be able to see a turtle under water, so if that helps....

 

[gbaratto]

Hello jennfl,

I just read your post and I know it's been a while, I wanted to ask you if you remember the name of the small shop you contacted. Thanks a lot.

 

[Chures]

You can try Cozumel or Playa del Carmen. Cabo is not exactly for beginner particularly in that time of the year (poor visibility)

 

[Chures]

Forgot to add that I've seen turtles several times in Cozumel

 

[Sabanist]

I reccommend a cavern dive in the cenotes around playa del carmen. definitely the coolest thing I've ever done, you will be amazed. I went with Aquanauts divers in Puerto aventuras, Maricio was our guide and he really knew what he was doing and did not bend any rules.

 

[buton]

every place has different stuff.. cancun and cozumel is great, clear blue waters... in contrast puerto vallarta is not that blue but if offer a lot of rocks formations underwater mantas, whales, eels, tourtles and it is also a fun dive..