How much to tip dive masters and boat crew in Cozumel?

[ggunn]

For a 2-tank trip: If they do a good job, I give them $60 for the two of us. $80 if they do a stellar job. Less if they don't.

Good for you that you can afford to tip like that. I can't.

 

[Christi]

Certainly could be, as I don't know of the personal finances of any of them.

How do you think a Cozumel divemaster sits in the hierarchy of jobs to have in Cozumel, say compared to a bartender or a waiter in a busy restaurant? Dive mastering in the US is basically a charity position, but wondering how it compares in Cozumel if it's thought of similar to the US version or considered a pretty coveted job to have or something in between? Taxi driver, police officer, hotel worker, dive master, which one is better off financially? Just wondering.

At the risk of doing a great disservice to my own crew - DM's and boat captains with a good shop ARE NOT living in poverty. While I cannot speak for other shops pay structures, I know that most shops range $35/trip - $55/trip (2 tanks) for the DM and $20 - $30/trip for the Captain. This can be reflected in the prices of the shops services - you can bet that the shops that are at the low end of the pricing are the ones that do not provide the level of pay or benefits that the higher priced shops do.

I can say that my staff is at the top end of both of those scales and they also receive a base salary that is well above minimum wage on top of their trip pay. They can live on what I pay them very comfortably. However, tips should not be contingent upon what they earn as a salary. Tips should be contingent upon the job they do for you and the service they provide - aside from your cost of diving. I also provide nitrox to Pedro everyday for his 2nd dive, more if he is doing 3 - 4 tanks, they have medical benefits, they do not have to pay for their uniforms, they are provided lunch when ding more than 2 tanks, and we have a wonderful family health plan set up for our employees and their family members - so when they need private medical care, they can receive it without worrying. Perhaps this is why I have staff retention with 2 of my employees having over 10 years (almost 11) as part of my team, and the "new" member of our team is already going on 5 years with us.

So, don't feel overly sorry for the DM's and Captains - they are in no means at the bottom of the hierarchy of jobs in Cozumel where they average $8 - $13usd an hour - and the minimum DAILY wage is roughly $8usd. I think one issue is that the disease of alcoholism (and addiction) runs rampant on this island and MANY spend their tips and salaries in the Cantina's (this is probably more prevalent than you may think) - they don't manage their finances, so they are broke the day after payday - it is very sad. Granted, low season is tough on all of us - but those with good shops and money management can get through low season without starving as well.

Please continue to tip your dive crew when they take care of you - they work hard and being rewarded and appreciated for a job well done is never a bad thing!

 

[James R]

You mean like actually scuba diving like you were certified to do?

I'm looking for the final slip down the slope to hell, where I can find a dive operation that will tether a line to me haul me down to depth, pull me along the dive, take pictures of interesting things with my camera for me, hold me at my safety stop, pull me out of the water with a sling, pour a beer down my throat back on the boat. Excretion is totally over-rated.

I get the diving part, but what does eliminating waste from your body have to do with it? Wow.

Ok, so you tip 2 to 3 times as much as most. Your call.

Seriously? Why are you so worried about it, Don? Are you feeling guilty for being a cheapskate tipper or something?

I would hate to see what some folks tip after a week to ten-day liveaboard....geez. :shocked2:

 

[gopbroek]

I would hate to see what some folks tip after a week to ten-day liveaboard

This comes to mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av_vcjD2h2g

 

[mmmbelows]

Wow Christi! All I can say is that's awesome to read, not only makes me feel better about those divemasters who share so much of what makes our dive vacations everything they are, but also so nice also to read about you taking good care of your people! That longevity of your employees being with you says it all. Sounds like they are all part of your family.

So it sounds like some dive master positions are a pretty good job to have from what is available to do as a job on Cozumel.

 

[DandyDon]

Pretty much like a normal dive in Scandinavia or the UK...

Which are not generally discussed in the Cozumel forum, not that Bonaire is. Like I said, I've been on plenty of non-lead trips, etc. This destination is different.

Why are you so worried about it, Don? Are you feeling guilty for being a cheapskate tipper or something?

Time for insults...??

 

[mmmbelows]

I get the diving part, but what does eliminating waste from your body have to do with it? Wow.

Drat! Victim of spellchecker again!

 

[cvchief]

Nothing for nothing, I know a hard working boat captain who is paid a good salary and does well on tips. He is stretched to the breaking point paying for the his family and the tuition for his son at University. He is trying to lift him up from his dad's humble blue collar life to become a professional.

I'll keep tipping a well as I can. I guess there is a lot of perspective to the issue.

 

[James R]

Time for insults...??

I didn't insult you, Don. I asked you a question. Let it go.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Come on james, give it a rest big spender.