First time diving Cozumel- Need Help!

[kmurray719]

Cozumel has recently hired a new 'harbor master' who is hypersensitive to anything remotely approaching 'sporty' seas, he's very gun-shy, conservative, so the odds of having the harbor closed to diving due to 'weather' are MUCH higher these days then they used to be.

The shore diving in Cozumel is essentially non-existent, useful for doing your scuba refresher and/or testing new or newly serviced gear, or checking one's weighting prior to doing the 'real' dives in Cozumel, so be careful not to get too excited about' unlimited shore diving'.

You are mistaken about both these statements. There were a few days at the beginning of his tenure where the harbor was closed unnecessarily (in the opinion of most people), with stories told about there being a closure for the entire Yucatan that he had to follow. Recently it seems to have gone the other way...we have had a lot of nortes this past month, and on a few days that the port was open, there were dive shops that opted not to take customers out because they believed the conditions to be bad enough that it would be unpleasant and unsafe. I have no idea if it's just a learning curve for him, or not really understanding the conditions here in Cozumel, but it does not seem to be true that right now there is a "MUCH higher" chance of the port being closed to diving than there should be.

You are correct that shore dives in Cozumel are not ever going to be as good as boat dives, but to say that they are essentially non-existent, and only useful for refresher or testing gear, is ridiculous. There are several shore dives that are very worth doing, especially if you're a photographer or interested in macro life. Or even if you just like moseying along at a slow pace for a few hours watching the marine life. I would never advise someone to do shore dives here instead of boat dives, but they can be a great addition to it.

 

[ggunn]

The shore diving in Cozumel is essentially non-existent, useful for doing your scuba refresher and/or testing new or newly serviced gear, or checking one's weighting prior to doing the 'real' dives in Cozumel, so be careful not to get too excited about' unlimited shore diving'.

I've had many very nice shore dives from Blue Angel. I wouldn't do it at the expense of boat diving but it's a good cheap add-on to the boat diving.

With respect to typical dive depths, if you're being quoted 40'-60' max depths, that's a sure sign of a cattle boat op. ... If you stick to 40' - 60' depths, you'll be seeing a LOT of sand, rubble, algae.

Except that it was Aldora he was talking to, which is not a cattle boat outfit. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding, but OTOH there is plenty to see at 40-60 FSW. Colombia Shallows is one of my favorite dives, and it has a 30-35 FSW max depth.

 

[JamieMc5280]

Not that this is super important- but I am in fact a "she" not a he and I haven't updated my profile to reflect my dive numbers. I am advanced certified and have 2 specialty dives so far- deep (The Great Blue Hole Belize & high altitude dives here at home.

 

[DandyDon]

Not that this is super important- but I am in fact a "she" not a he and I haven't updated my profile to reflect my dive numbers. I am advanced certified and have 2 specialty dives so far- deep (The Great Blue Hole Belize & high altitude dives here at home.

Sorry, Jamie - couldn't tell from the photo. But there are two of you diving, right? That'll help with room costs or taxi expenses.

Updating your profile is your option, but we can only give suggestions based on what you make known. Sounds like you've done some nice training. Cozumel drift diving is fun, but my advice on hiring a private DM the first day stands.

 

[ggunn]

Not that this is super important- but I am in fact a "she" not a he and I haven't updated my profile to reflect my dive numbers. I am advanced certified and have 2 specialty dives so far- deep (The Great Blue Hole Belize & high altitude dives here at home.

My sincerest apologies. I knew I had a 50:50 shot at getting it right.

 

[deepsea21]

I vote for staying in town at the Casa Mexicana (which we found 14 years ago and since then have never looked elsewere). The included free breakfast buffet is the best on the island and it opens at 7AM every morning so you get 35 minutes to enjoy breakfast before you need to think about diving. We are now diving with Tres Pelicanos which has their shop one street down and one block back from the Casa... a 5 minute walk and you are at the shop at 7:40AM for their courtesy transport to and from the marina. Blue Angel is too far from town if you want to get out and about in town. As far as balconies, every room in the Casa has one. Some face the city, the south, the direct oceanfront or the atrium where the breakfast is served. You can get an ocean view room at the city room price if you request a city view room that faces south on one of the upper floors. If you book a dive/hotel package with Tres Pelicanos they have negotiated rates with the Casa that I was not able to beat last year searching and searching and waiting and waiting for a deal to show up. Also, because they book so many rooms at the casa on packages, a request for a southen facing room that gives you ocean views all the way to the southern cruise dock will most likely be fulfilled.

 

[islanddream]

We always stay at the Blue Angel and have enjoyed every trip there. The rooms are large and very clean; utilitarian but they do have a mini-frig; great balcony facing the water; nice pool; shore diving (one of the few places with shore diving); a good restaurant; reasonable prices for dive and stay; breakfast is included; coffee and very hot water located in the lobby every morning; wonderful and friendly staff; small fast boats; great dive masters; easy walk into town (takes about 20 minutes); night diving from shore at no cost....tanks sitting out and available to guests. This is a divers hotel. No frills. Small...about 24 rooms. Nice to be able to hang wet stuff out on the balcony. We always take clothesline and clothespins. Our balcony looks like the Grapes of Wrath but nobody cares. At least everything gets dry!

We've gone diving with Aldora one time when the port was closed due to a norte. Aldora has a boat on the east side of the island where they can take divers when the port closes. We loved Aldora! The steel tanks were great, the service was outstanding, and their boat was very nice. Can't say enough good things about them.

I'm not sure what scubafanatic is talking about regarding having to go deeper than 60' to see anything. There's no way the max average depth is 100'!!! I've dived in Coz many times and can count on one hand the number of times I've been at or below 100'. The reefs are beautiful and have "healed" since Wilma. Some of our best dives have been in the shallow areas....lots of tropical fish, eels, turtles, nurse sharks, etc.

Go...enjoy....have fun...let us know about your trip.

 

[DandyDon]

it opens at 7AM every morning so you get 35 minutes to enjoy breakfast before you need to think about diving.

Not the week I was there. It was good, but late. Maybe that is a rarity...??

 

[JamieMc5280]

My sincerest apologies. I knew I had a 50:50 shot at getting it right.

It's all good! I think I need to change my profile pic though...the pink jacket doesn't give it away huh?

 

[ggunn]

It's all good! I think I need to change my profile pic though...the pink jacket doesn't give it away huh?

I try not to make judgements on the basis of attire. If you'd seen my costumes at Mardi Gras last week you might make some incorrect assumptions about me!