Good diving for beginners in Cozumel?

[underachiever]

I found Boynton Beach/Pompano diving much like Cozumel...

Do they put a DM in the water with you? WE may check out the area somtime.

 

[Blue River]

we just had our granddaughter do her OW (junior) with http://www.scubashackcozumwe el.com/
we used to dive with Dive Paradise, but for a variety of reasons, we really love Roberta's operation (she's an ex-pat from Illinois) and I am glad to hear Coz is on the list of places to visit--they really got hammered economically by the recession combined with the swine/H1N1 influenza scare
we were there for the last week of July--fabulous water temps--recommend a shorty and/or skin or shirt (we're from Colorado and whitewater rafting is another hobby) we had an unusual number of jellies this time around, compared to all our other visits there
we stay in town (Casa Mexicana) so we have a choice of places to eat and walk around the plaza in the evenings....

 

[MMM]

Do they put a DM in the water with you? WE may check out the area somtime.

I don't recall. Might have. But there were lots of experienced divers on the boat. I had a blast.

 

[judydivescoz]

Do they put a DM in the water with you? WE may check out the area somtime.

We dove there a few days with no DM in the water. Very nice diving. Can't remember the name of the company we dove with but it was a nice boat owned by 2 women in Boynton Beach. If we ever dove that area again, I would try and figure out who they were and book with them again.

 

[CZMDM]

I found Boynton Beach/Pompano diving much like Cozumel...

I have never been diving at Pompano, but have a couple hundred dives in the Keys and the Marquesas (sp). I was not aware that diving in that area was deep and drift diving. All the dives I ever did in Florida were from an anchored boat whereas all the diving here is drift diving and most of the diving is much shallower than here in Cozumel. Almost all the dives in the Keys are very shallow compared to Cozumel.

IMHO anytime you are doing a drift dive I would call that advanced. If it seems easy, you have the DM and the Captain to thank. Of course once you have experience here it is usually very easy, but even experienced divers sometimes get thrown when they encounter a down current at a wall or a current that is going out to the open water. New divers struggle in the current. They have all sorts of issues, like weight problems, crashing into the reef, balance problems and just getting comfortable in general. They are usually the first out of air and a lot of times make dangerously rapid ascents. They have problems with the safety stop. If the boat is not close by they sometimes get panicky (sp). This is just my opinion after watching many new divers stuggle on their first couple of dives. Personally I feel that for anyones first ocean dive that it is a good idea to have a private DM.

 

[dmoore19]

My first ocean dives were in Cozumel. It is the only ocean diving I have done. We went with a group that was done with my LDS. There were the usual DMs on the dive from Dive Paradise plus another instructor from the LDS diving with us daily. I felt quite comfortable and never had a problem with panic. The instructor from the LDS helped me and other less experienced divers throughout the trip. I don't know if all LDS do escourted group trips but I for one think it helps by having someone you know that is there to help you out on your first dives makes a great confidence builder. I think my training was more than adequate and the instructor with the group reinforced the lessons I had already learned. Overall I would say Cozumel is a great place for your first ocean dives if all the planning is done properly. I would watch out for the other divers though they are the ones that caused me problems more than the conditions. One person knocked my regulator out of my mouth, kicked my mask of and kicked me square on the jaw, same person, night dive. The shops there are aware of the conditions and give good information in the predive letting you know what to expect. Once again, don't do anything you think is beyond your skill level. In my opinion COZUMEL is and excellent place to do your first ocean dives as long as you feel confident with the shop you are diving with.

 

[U4ick_73]

Did my checkout dives back in 1999 from dive shop at Fiesta Americana Hotel....my advice is to be very clear and persistent with letting the DM's know about being brand new to diving! My
VERY FIRST dive was Santa Rosa where I descended 100' into the abyss! I ended up doing
quite well, but let's be honest here........a 60+ wall dive should NEVER be a divers FIRST experience...just sayin! Highly recommend Colombia Shallows for your first couple dives. ;-)

 

[browntrout]

"Highly recommend Colombia Shallows for your first couple dives. ;-)"

I would second that if it's possible, problem is that it would almost always be a second dive on a typical two tank trip. Shallow dive with great stuff to see, little current (when we have been there) and not as much concern with a missed safety stop.

 

[ggunn]

...not as much concern with a missed safety stop.

True dat. Colombia Shallows IS a safety stop!

 

[MMM]

I have never been diving at Pompano, but have a couple hundred dives in the Keys and the Marquesas (sp). I was not aware that diving in that area was deep and drift diving. .

It is not as deep as Coz (in some spots) but it is drift diving. I've also dived in WPB and am recalling it was drift diving also. But it's probably been 10 years since I dived there and memory is hazy.