HowDidIGetIntoThis?
December 9th, 2010, 01:43 AM
(Very) mini trip report:
For those divers seeking a small boat and a well run operation I suggest considering Chucho Nunez (Chucho Underwater - Dive in Cozumel (http://chucho-underwater.com)).
We were referred to Chucho by Alison (Scuba with Alison) when she was unable to accommodate us. I've been diving for a few years and my adult daughter is newly certified. This was to be a confidence building expedition and Chucho managed the job very nicely.
His boat is very tidy and efficiently run. Everything happened on time, or as close to it as the guests permitted.
Chucho is a man of few words and tells you what you need to know, then leaves you alone to enjoy the trip. His dive briefings tend to be a bit short and it is worthwhile to ask a few questions to draw him out. Asking questions was a great training exercise in itself as it got my daughter thinking about what she might want, or need, to know pre-dive. We found his somewhat reserved nature to be quite endearing - it must be really wearing to deal with a constant parade of new tourist faces and this approach allowed us all to have our own mental space on a small boat. He won't try to be your new best friend or have your baby, but you'll have a very good, and safe, dive experience.
We had a couple of crew changes during the week - Chucho usually had a captain and assistant on board - and they were all very kind and gracious folks.
The rental equipment was all in good condition and I was able to leave my own BCD and regs with him each night.
While Chucho was always willing to take requests for dive sites he was very fair in advising us as to whether our suggestions were the best option, considering then-current conditions. I thought that he did a great job of giving us a good variety of sites and dive conditions and there was usually just enough of a challenge at each site to keep my daughter progressing at a comfortable pace.
During the week we also got in two night dives, which were quite the bonus experience for a new diver.
The boat is rated for eight guests - we never had more than six and on a few occasions were just a twosome, which made for a really relaxed and enjoyable trip.
We all dove with computers and, on the rare occasion when there were air hogs in the group, Chucho took them to the surface and rejoined us. Ah, the benefits of endless viz.
Chucho had recommended that we stay at the Casa Mexicana and that worked very well for us (Coz virgins). The taxi ride to Marina Caleta was 90 pesos and there was always a taxi waiting for us.
The dock, beside the fuel tank, is pretty basic, but it does the job. The marina facilities are a short hike up the road. We never used them so I can't comment on them. If there is a rinse tank in the area I never saw it, but neither did I ask for it.
Payment was no hassle. Pesos, $US, or travellers cheques were all accepted. Once he had some confidence that we would indeed show up for the next dives he was very relaxed about carrying our tab until it was more convenient to settle the bill.
Communications worked well - he's as reliant on his blackberry as the rest of the world and responds to emails and phone messages promptly. Language is a little more of a challenge over the phone and Chucho's English is infinitely better than my Spanish.
In conclusion, I'll recommend Chucho as an operator who quietly does his job with pride and will give you a very good small-diveboat experience.
For those divers seeking a small boat and a well run operation I suggest considering Chucho Nunez (Chucho Underwater - Dive in Cozumel (http://chucho-underwater.com)).
We were referred to Chucho by Alison (Scuba with Alison) when she was unable to accommodate us. I've been diving for a few years and my adult daughter is newly certified. This was to be a confidence building expedition and Chucho managed the job very nicely.
His boat is very tidy and efficiently run. Everything happened on time, or as close to it as the guests permitted.
Chucho is a man of few words and tells you what you need to know, then leaves you alone to enjoy the trip. His dive briefings tend to be a bit short and it is worthwhile to ask a few questions to draw him out. Asking questions was a great training exercise in itself as it got my daughter thinking about what she might want, or need, to know pre-dive. We found his somewhat reserved nature to be quite endearing - it must be really wearing to deal with a constant parade of new tourist faces and this approach allowed us all to have our own mental space on a small boat. He won't try to be your new best friend or have your baby, but you'll have a very good, and safe, dive experience.
We had a couple of crew changes during the week - Chucho usually had a captain and assistant on board - and they were all very kind and gracious folks.
The rental equipment was all in good condition and I was able to leave my own BCD and regs with him each night.
While Chucho was always willing to take requests for dive sites he was very fair in advising us as to whether our suggestions were the best option, considering then-current conditions. I thought that he did a great job of giving us a good variety of sites and dive conditions and there was usually just enough of a challenge at each site to keep my daughter progressing at a comfortable pace.
During the week we also got in two night dives, which were quite the bonus experience for a new diver.
The boat is rated for eight guests - we never had more than six and on a few occasions were just a twosome, which made for a really relaxed and enjoyable trip.
We all dove with computers and, on the rare occasion when there were air hogs in the group, Chucho took them to the surface and rejoined us. Ah, the benefits of endless viz.
Chucho had recommended that we stay at the Casa Mexicana and that worked very well for us (Coz virgins). The taxi ride to Marina Caleta was 90 pesos and there was always a taxi waiting for us.
The dock, beside the fuel tank, is pretty basic, but it does the job. The marina facilities are a short hike up the road. We never used them so I can't comment on them. If there is a rinse tank in the area I never saw it, but neither did I ask for it.
Payment was no hassle. Pesos, $US, or travellers cheques were all accepted. Once he had some confidence that we would indeed show up for the next dives he was very relaxed about carrying our tab until it was more convenient to settle the bill.
Communications worked well - he's as reliant on his blackberry as the rest of the world and responds to emails and phone messages promptly. Language is a little more of a challenge over the phone and Chucho's English is infinitely better than my Spanish.
In conclusion, I'll recommend Chucho as an operator who quietly does his job with pride and will give you a very good small-diveboat experience.