Cozumel hotel with dive operation?

[AcornMan]

Many moons ago, my wife and I stayed at SCUBA Club Cozumel. We thought their dive operation was fantastic. The hotel itself was fine but nothing special. We're planning a short trip to Cozumel this summer, but this time we have teenage kids, so we need to keep them in mind when we plan. Three of us will be diving, but the fourth will not. So... we want a hotel with a good in-house dive operation that also has other fun amenities, such as a pool, maybe a beach, etc. An on-site restaurant with at least breakfast is also a must. Iberostar looks like it might be a good option. I was hoping for something closer to town, but I suppose the advantage way down there is that the boat trips to the dive sites will be shorter. I'd appreciate feedback about Iberostar and also suggestions about other good options. TIA.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Most dive ops can not pick up at Iberostar. If you stay there you are pretty much stuck with their in house op.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[shardison]

1. Talk to Dave @ Aldora divers above. They have a fantastic reputation as one of the best on the entire Island. I think they have a place to stay as well. however I think it's on the north end of the island?
2. Blue XT-SEA:: pretty good op also.... not sure about a place to stay
3. Blue Angel: Also a good op and place to stay... about 1.5 south of SCC, but runs pretty similar

I stay at SCC when I go too. But my wife is a non diver and just likes to chill in the hammocks while I go dive....

 

[imoto]

Dave,
Are you no longer picking up next to the Iberostar?

 

[judydivescoz]

You can stay almost anywhere (Iberostar is an exception) and any dive op will be able to pick you up. If you are looking for an AI option look at Fiesta Americana or The Cozumel Palace. FA has a nice beach and a great pool. Its a much shorter ride to town than Iberostar. The Palace is intown, small manmade beach and nice pool. Both hotels have in-house ops but you may want a small fast six pack experience rather than the slow boat most hotel ops offer. There are some nice hotels north of town, only a very few shops pick up and only a few have a beach. Playa Azul is very nice and has a beach. Some hotels do charge a pickup fee of a few dollars.

 

[imoto]

AI recommendations in Cozumel

Discussion about AI offerings

Iberostar is close to the dive sites and Dressel (in-house op) returns to the dock after each dive if you need to check on the non-diver.

 

[judydivescoz]

You can stay almost anywhere (Iberostar is an exception) and any dive op will be able to pick you up. If you are looking for an AI option look at Fiesta Americana or The Cozumel Palace. FA has a nice beach and a great pool. Its a much shorter ride to town than Iberostar. The Palace is intown, small manmade beach and nice pool. Both hotels have in-house ops but you may want a small fast six pack experience rather than the slow boat most hotel ops offer. There are some nice hotels north of town, only a very few shops pick up and only a few have a beach. Playa Azul is very nice and has a beach. Some hotels do charge a pickup fee of a few dollars.

A new op Salty Endevors keeps their boat in the northern Marina. I have dove with Henry the owner a few times, he is a great guide and lots of fun to dive with. Salty Endeavors - SCUBA diving on the incredible reefs of Cozumel Mexico!

 

[cmrangel]

I stayed at the Allegro Cozumel and dove with their house shop (Prodive Mexico) and had a great time. Good beaches, pool, all inclusive, etc. It is also down south so the boat rides are short. Good prices as well. Would go back anytime.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

For us to pick up divers at Iberostar they have to wade out to the boat. That is not our choice.

I have no beef with Dressel Divers (one time they saved my life…but that is another story) but they are a classic "cattle boat" operator and it seems most of their DMs are short term Europeans who really don't know the neat things on our reefs or how to find them. Safe…no doubt but that at least is my impression.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[flyboy08]

We recently stayed at the occidental and dove with ProDive . Food was hit or miss all else just great!

Nitrox is free with ProDive.