Cozumel weather & diving conditions in January

[martyjay1010]

Hello All,
I'm planning a surprise birthday dive trip to Cozumel in January, planning on staying at Blue Angel Resort. This will be my first time to Cozumel so if anyone has info or tips on the dive conditions and weather at that time of year, anything would be appreciated. Also, if you've stayed at BA, what did you think of it? Thanks in advance!

-MJ

[islanddream]

Hi MJ:

We are staying at the Blue Angel for the first time in November. I chose that place because of all the great reviews on ScubaBoard and Trip Advisor. I'll post on SB after we return and give a report.

One of the things that appealed to me was that you can roll out of bed and right down to their dock and get on the boat. No cab rides, no ferries....how nice! Also, from what I've read the restuarant is excellent.

I've had great communication with Jeannie and really appreciate all of her speedy replies to my emails.

I can't say what the weather/water will be like in January since I've only been there in the springtime, but many people on SB have commented on weather during January. From what I remember they talk about nortes that can come in and shut down diving until they blow through. I don't think water temp is going to be a big deal since it's still going to be in the high 70's low 80's during that time. People also talk about bringing a warm jacket or fleece for the boat ride to the dive site and after you get out of the water. I don't know if the viz is ever bad in Coz (except after a hurricane maybe!)...you can see forever. You won't believe how clear the water is!

I see you're from Tucson (I'm from Scottsdale) and we are so used to warm/hot weather altho it can get cold in January (got to 25 F last winter!). Heading to Coz in January will be nice for you...you'll love it and will want to go back any month of the year!

I'll let you know about our stay at the BA!

islanddream

[kixy1]

Welcome Marty,
If you do a search on Blue Angel I think you'll find most of your questions answered. I've stayed there, loved it, as I think you'll find most other posters here have. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.
As for the weather...that's another great one to do a search on. Also check out Christi's sticky Cozumel FAQ's at the top of this forum. In general, topside will be warm bring your shorts and tshirts, you might wants a light jacket for evenings. Water temps will be cooler, plan for a bit more protection and the trip back from from the dive on the boat can be chilly! Someone suggested I bring a warm, lined jacket for the ride back which I'm considering. I'll be there in early Feb again this year. Last year I wore my usual 3 mil full suit, but added a shorty over it after the second day as I started to get chilly. I'm adding a beanie this year and I think if I can keep warmer between dives on the boat I'll be fine. The weather can start to blow that time of year, so be sure to have some land activities planned in case they close the port, stay flexible, and have a GREAT time!! You're gunna love it :)

[MMM]

You will have a great time. I don't know where you are used to diving but in January, I am wearing my 5 mm suit with a 3 mm hooded vest under it. I hate being cold. I see by your dive count you don't have a lot of dives, so maybe you won't be down for all that long, but it definitely is something to consider as being cold will make you go through air faster and further shorten your dive time. Better to be too warm than too cold.

When I dived with Blue Angel, they had water but no snacks on the boat but I think I heard that has changed with the new owners. Jeannie can tell you if that's important. I am always starving after my first dive and usually eat something fairly substantial at a beach. BA doesn't do long SIs at a beach so if you are so inclined, you might want to pick up some stuff to snack on (that is, if BA isn't providing snacks, which, as I said, they might be by now).

[blue steal]

The last 2 times we stayed at the BA they had water, fruits, and different types of rolls as snacks on the SI. It is true that most SI are spent on the water, but sometimes we would pull into a pier down south and have a SI on the beach. I usually eat breakfast in the restaurant before we leave for diving. Restaurant opens for breakfast at 0700, boat leaves at 0800. If the churo man is around I get a couple of chocolate churros for the trip. Plus after returning from your second dive it will be time for lunch, yummy. Plus if I am not mistaken lunch is included on dive days with a drink, (may I suggest the "Victoria" beer).
Enjoy your trip...........:)

[Karibelle]

I've been bringing small groups to Cozumel from Edmonton, Alberta for several years now. We've always used Blue Angel, as that is where I did my first two OW cert dives in 2001. :-)

You can read some trip reports here (totally biased, as they're written by me) Cozumel – previous trips | Atkins SCUBA (http://atkinsscuba.com/cozumel-2011-2012-trips/dive-travel/)

If you prefer some slightly less biased reports, on the home page there are three "Guest Posts" written by participants on those trips. They've got some nice things to say about both Blue Angel and Cozumel... Atkins SCUBA (http://atkinsscuba.com/)

BA has been providing snacks during SI for several years now.

kari

[cvchief]

The last 2 times we stayed at the BA they had water, fruits, and different types of rolls as snacks on the SI. It is true that most SI are spent on the water, but sometimes we would pull into a pier down south and have a SI on the beach. I usually eat breakfast in the restaurant before we leave for diving. Restaurant opens for breakfast at 0700, boat leaves at 0800. If the churo man is around I get a couple of chocolate churros for the trip. Plus after returning from your second dive it will be time for lunch, yummy. Plus if I am not mistaken lunch is included on dive days with a drink, (may I suggest the "Victoria" beer).
Enjoy your trip...........:)

You know I always get a 6 pack of Victoria with the Sol after your recommendation a while ago!

[scubafanatic]

as previously briefly mentioned, January is prone to 'El Norte' (strong cold fronts blowing in from 'the north', hence "El Norte". It doesn't affect water temps, but the winds generate waves that most of the small Coz dive boats can't handle. Assuming the weather holds, nothing wrong with Coz in January, but be prepared to get 'blown out'. If you are doing a longer trip, the El Norte probably won't last long enough to ruin the entire trip and you will get at least some diving in, but if you are doing a shorter/weekend type trip, a well-placed El Norte lasting a couple of days can ruin all your diving.

[driftin' by]

Also, if you've stayed at BA, what did you think of it? Thanks in advance!

-MJ

Welcome to SB.... Check this out meign: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cozumel/400482-best-dive-week-ever.html

[martyjay1010]

Thank you everyone for the responses and great advice, it has been very helpful! I'm even more excited to go now than I was before! :D Do these 'El Nortes' spoil shore diving as well or is it just the boat dives that get cancelled? We're going to be there for 6 days total (3 days boat diving with BA) so hopefully we'll be able to catch some good weather in there somewhere. Again, thank you all!