Cozumel or Costa Maya? (nov)
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robint
Contributor
Cozumel is a dive destination where cruise ships stop.
Costa Maya is a cruise ship stop with diving.
Cozumel has dozens of dive operators, dozens of dive boats, and thousands of divers each day on the reef system. Most divers are there specifically to dive and not on a cruise ship.
Costa Maya probably has only a few dive operators and only has divers who are there from cruise ships.
Both have their pros and cons.
Costa Maya is a cruise ship stop with diving.
Cozumel has dozens of dive operators, dozens of dive boats, and thousands of divers each day on the reef system. Most divers are there specifically to dive and not on a cruise ship.
Costa Maya probably has only a few dive operators and only has divers who are there from cruise ships.
Both have their pros and cons.
Given a choice between the two - would choose Cozumel for diving for a cruise ship experience. Don't get me wrong, the diving in Costa Maya / Mahahual is great. Just that where most of the dive ops take cruise ship divers is just good. The reefs dive ops in Mahahual usually take cruise ship divers are the closest reefs. By far the best diving is to the south, about 12-15 km south of the town. Unless you are land based and have the time, most do not venture very far.
I think Cozumel has many more excellent sites that dive ops will take cruise ship divers. Overall for a limited time visit by cruise ship may be the best bang for your buck.
But then you could do diving at both locations
.
I think Cozumel has many more excellent sites that dive ops will take cruise ship divers. Overall for a limited time visit by cruise ship may be the best bang for your buck.
But then you could do diving at both locations
.
mooney
Registered
I just did a costa maya/cozumel cruise 3 weeks ago. I dove Cozumel, and talking with the other divers that did both they weren't impressed with Costa Maya. Diving was OK they said but long walk with your gear through the shopping center and back from the pickup point. They said they would probably not do Costa for a dive next time. I have also heard that Costa is good for diving if you have more time there and are able to get to the outer reefs.
robint
Contributor
If you go to the Cozumel Forum, look at the "sticky notes" and you will find a list of dozens of dive operators on the island. Most of them only have one boat, but some run multiple boats. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cozumel/
You need to contact them with the info as to which pier you are arriving at and also the time. Also, let them know that you will be needing rental gear as this means they will have to run you back to their shop for fitting. Some have rental gear and some don't. I would contact 4-5 and see what they say. I know for sure Dive with Martin does cater to cruisers, so you might want to start with them.
I just returned from a western caribbean cruise and I dove at Costa maya. I booked the dive as a shore excursion thru the ship (royal caribbean) and the dive operator was dreamtime. We were picked up at the pier and bussed to the dive shop which was located on the beach. We never had to carry any gear and the staff would even change your tanks if you wanted them to. As they said "you are on vacation". We had 2 dive masters on our tour and they were very watchful over us. We did our dives on shallow reefs in the 60 foot range and the diving was great. the reefs were alive with fish, turtles, moray eels and colorful coral. I would definitely dive there again. I have dove in Cozumel several times and the diving there is beautiful. Enjoy your cruise, plan your shore excursions and where ever you dive you will not be dissappointed.
3000dives
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If you want to dive with thousands of divers and hundreds of dive boats then you want to go to Cozumel. If you want to dive pristine reefs where your dive boat will be the only one on the dive site if you choose the right operation then you go to Costa Maya.
There are only a few dive shops there and most are not located at any resort -stand alone so to speek. Check out Maya Palms they have their own dive shop and offer all types of shore excursions. You'll have to book direct with them, if you go to their web site you should be able to find their US reservations number.
There are only a few dive shops there and most are not located at any resort -stand alone so to speek. Check out Maya Palms they have their own dive shop and offer all types of shore excursions. You'll have to book direct with them, if you go to their web site you should be able to find their US reservations number.
Dreamtime in Costa Maya was our dive op as well. I believe that they are the only one that RC uses at Costa Maya. They have a great attitude, nice shop and good DM's. The fish tacos down the way on the beach are not half bad as well. The whole Costa Maya stop was great.
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