death_by_bloop
Registered
Hi, all -
A dive buddy and I are trying to make up our minds about a very brief getaway to Central America next month. After reviewing the many options, we've narrowed things down to a decision between cenotes (+Playa del Carmen and possibly Cozumel) diving -- that would be cavern, not cave -- and Utila.
I will only have about five days down there, while my buddy may opt to stay for another week and enjoy some land-based activities. Thus, the factors we're considering are:
+ safety (at the risk of resurrecting a dead horse to beat, an update on the situation [or non-situation] at the Bay Islands from any locals would be much appreciated)
+ marine life/underwater sights
+ non-diving activities (my buddy is a fan of the backpacker scene and not into "touristy")
+ pricing (bang for the buck)
+ season (is it a good time of year to go?)
+ any helpful tips for whichever we choose (e.g. mosi repellent at Dos Ojos)
[A couple of notes regarding proficiency: my buddy is "A"OW as well, has about ten fewer dives but is pretty solid in the water. Buoyancywise, I've been comfortable since my checkout dives back in February and have focused on improving buoyancy and trim since. That said, I haven't dived in fresh water since my first pool sessions, so I'd have to adjust for any cenote diving. (Just throwing that out there as a data point. Coming as I am from hooded 7 mil territory here in California, I'll be adjusting my weight regardless of where we go down there, but diving an overhead environment is of course a special case.)]
I've already read through a number of threads on these locations and have gleaned some useful tidbits from them, but further advice (as well as dive operation recommendations -- I've seen a few in past posts that look promising) from the seasoned SB crowd would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
A dive buddy and I are trying to make up our minds about a very brief getaway to Central America next month. After reviewing the many options, we've narrowed things down to a decision between cenotes (+Playa del Carmen and possibly Cozumel) diving -- that would be cavern, not cave -- and Utila.
I will only have about five days down there, while my buddy may opt to stay for another week and enjoy some land-based activities. Thus, the factors we're considering are:
+ safety (at the risk of resurrecting a dead horse to beat, an update on the situation [or non-situation] at the Bay Islands from any locals would be much appreciated)
+ marine life/underwater sights
+ non-diving activities (my buddy is a fan of the backpacker scene and not into "touristy")
+ pricing (bang for the buck)
+ season (is it a good time of year to go?)
+ any helpful tips for whichever we choose (e.g. mosi repellent at Dos Ojos)
[A couple of notes regarding proficiency: my buddy is "A"OW as well, has about ten fewer dives but is pretty solid in the water. Buoyancywise, I've been comfortable since my checkout dives back in February and have focused on improving buoyancy and trim since. That said, I haven't dived in fresh water since my first pool sessions, so I'd have to adjust for any cenote diving. (Just throwing that out there as a data point. Coming as I am from hooded 7 mil territory here in California, I'll be adjusting my weight regardless of where we go down there, but diving an overhead environment is of course a special case.)]
I've already read through a number of threads on these locations and have gleaned some useful tidbits from them, but further advice (as well as dive operation recommendations -- I've seen a few in past posts that look promising) from the seasoned SB crowd would be much appreciated.
Thank you!