Cozumel for junior open water
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Robby
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Cozumel is a great place for new divers. I took my daughter there a couple of years ago for her first dives after getting certified. My wife did her open water checkout dives there last year.
I am likely the only nay sayer you will get but I don't recommend Coz for new divers.
The dives are often deep with 60 to 90 ft dives the norm, yes there are shallower dives but no telling if you will get them or not....you are not the only one on the boat so which dives you get is questionable. All are drift dives which means no mooring line or any reference line to descend or ascend on so both you and her need to be comfortable with doing free accents and descents .
I would suggest Key Largo as a better option. The shallow reef dives in the 25-40 range are a staple and all are moored sites
The dives are often deep with 60 to 90 ft dives the norm, yes there are shallower dives but no telling if you will get them or not....you are not the only one on the boat so which dives you get is questionable. All are drift dives which means no mooring line or any reference line to descend or ascend on so both you and her need to be comfortable with doing free accents and descents .
I would suggest Key Largo as a better option. The shallow reef dives in the 25-40 range are a staple and all are moored sites
No problem; we did the same for our daughter at that age and she did great. I'm sure you'll want to stay shallow and out of the stiffest currents, but it's easy to do that. It may mean hiring a private DM or going out with other newbies, but there are lots of ways to accommodate a new young diver on Cozumel. The dive ops there are used to handling new divers; you'll have plenty of options to show her a great time.
I'm AOW and have been diving for 20 years, so its about making sure she has a safe and enjoyable experience. The Keys are our second choice, I've done multiple trips to both Key Largo and Key West and love both, but mom is a non diver so a Cozumel all inclusive makes everybody happy.
I have been diving Cozumel since... hold on; let me look at my DAN renewal on the kitchen table... 1995. I don't know a lot about diving anywhere else, since I go to Cozumel once or twice a year and 95+% of my dives have been there but IMO, diving Cozumel will be a great experience for your daughter. In addition to the diving itself, there is the experience of the Mexican/Mayan culture. And don't just hole up in an AI the whole time; get out and see the place and eat in some of the local eateries. If you must do AI (I never would) find one close to town.
My (then)12 year old daughters first dive after certification was in Coz. We chartered a boat for $400 for the 4 of us so we had our own DM and boat to ourselves. Slightly more expensive, but well worth it. If not a private charter, I would advise a private DM , the going rate is around $50-$60 a day. Money well spent. There are so many sites to dive, finding one with a max depth of 60 feet won't be hard. Depending on my mood, some of my favorite dives are the shallow slow drift dives loaded with marine life.
My only regret is now she refuses to dive with me in Oklahoma lakes where the Visability is 10 feet on th best days.....
Lots of sites with a 60 feet max depth. Take a look for yourself.
cozumel divesite map depth - Google Search:
Good luck, safe travels,
Jay
My only regret is now she refuses to dive with me in Oklahoma lakes where the Visability is 10 feet on th best days.....
Lots of sites with a 60 feet max depth. Take a look for yourself.
cozumel divesite map depth - Google Search:
Good luck, safe travels,
Jay
There are plenty of sites that would be suitable for a Jr diver. You will just have to find a dive op that will cater to your needs. Many ops do a deep/shallow two tank trip but with the number of good shops on the island I am sure someone will work out for you. I did an afternoon dive with a family Friday at Yucab, it was their daughters first ocean dive. She did great and got to sea turtles, eels, lobsters and a very large sleeping nurse shark on her first dive.
Ditto what other divers have said about Coz being fine for Jr. OW divers. I have taken my grandson for some diving every year since he was certified at age 11. There are plenty of nice reefs suitable for inexperienced Jr. OW divers, and you can hire a private DM if everyone else on the boat is going to dive deeper than your desired profile. She is going to love the drift diving in Coz. Be prepared to take her back for follow-on vacations.
Cozdreamer
Contributor
Lucky her for getting certified and for having her whole life ahead of her to enjoy the beauty underwater! Money well spent and terrific memories for the family are ahead. Safe bubbles to you. Enjoy diving together! She will be a Coz-a-holic at first sight underwater!
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