CALI68
Contributor
I'm not very good a writing reports so I'll just say we hit all the major spots that you all know and love. Palancar, Columbia (deep and shallow) and Punta Sur blew my mind! Santa Rosa wall was awe inspiring. It was our first time, we love it there and I now know why you all do as well. Incredible diving...just incredible. I'm a huge fan of sponges, caves and swim through so it's safe to assume I was in heaven. Oh yea the 84 degree crystal clear water was nice too. 
What I'd like to focus on is the superb service we received from Christi and her wonderful company Blue XT-Sea. I'm an experienced diver with hundreds of dives yada yada yada so I have seen many many outfits and I am confident to say that I know what it takes to make a good one. (sorry just wanted to qualify myself before I throw out these remarks)
Boat: Shamu. I'd love to own one just like it. Fast as hell, clean, comfortable and kinda retro. The flooring in boat is superb. I fully dug the boat! It's just perfect for diving.
Captain: Mago. The first words that come to my mind are TOTALLY PRO and next would be FUNNY AS HELL! He is a VERY skilled captain in a place where that REALLY matters. Every time we would surface, there he was. Flawless. Every time I climbed up the latter there he was with a towel, bottled water and a portable shower ready to go. Really folks, amazing service and attention to detail. On a couple occasions Mago couldn't make it so a Captain by the name of Javier took over and I found him to be outstanding as well and a totally cool Guy. Also, Mago is a hell of a magician and he's quick to hit you with a few tricks during the SI. Very entertaining to say the least.
DM: Pedro. Pedro is a first rate DM and really it's safe to say he's as good as it gets. He keeps track of everyone all while finding an astonishing amount critters almost everywhere. Don't hate me but I'm a (gulp) DIR diver so my wife and I did our ascents and profiles a bit differently. After Pedro saw us dive he felt comfortable to let us do "our thing." We never abused his confidence and always kept in contact with him throughout the dive. Honestly his profiles and ascents were damn near DIR anyway. Also, our gear is definitely unusual and a bit complicated if you're unfamiliar with it but after one day he got it...no problem. Our gear was nearly perfect everyday minus a few minor tweaks here and there. I was VERY impressed with Pedro. That Guy is an awesome example of how a DM should be on ALL counts. He's also hilarious, full of energy and a GREAT Guy as well.
Owner: Christi. Cozumels Sweetheart! Christi will no longer be known to my wife and I as "Christi from SB that owns Blue XT-Sea" but rather "our friend" she is the nicest, most attentive dive related person I have ever met. She went waaaaaaay beyond the call of duty without ever being asked. You simply will not find better service from an owner. We shared a great meals with her, laughed, joked and became instant friends. She invited us to see her beautiful home and on that occasion we got to meet her dogs and cat as well. We will greatly miss her and we cannot wait to go back to see her, her pets and that beautiful Island again. Two thumbs way up!!!!
Other notes include the fact The Presidente is ALL THAT. It's a fabulous Hotel with gorgeous rooms and impeccable service! It's also very important for me to note that the water pressure was great too. Our room overlooked the Scuba Shack and the whole beach. It pains me to think of it right now because I want to back there right now. The food at The Hotel is ok but the real star of the trip was Mesa 17! Delicious food! Try the Cheesecake for desert......unless your not into a piece of cheesecake that tastes like it was wrapped in a toasted marshmallow! :11: INCREDIBLE!!! Guidos was insane as well. Excellent food but most of you know that already.
We had a great time and wanted to thank all the SB members that answered all our questions before going.....especially MoodieJeff (who I didn't find "moodie" at all )
-Chris
What I'd like to focus on is the superb service we received from Christi and her wonderful company Blue XT-Sea. I'm an experienced diver with hundreds of dives yada yada yada so I have seen many many outfits and I am confident to say that I know what it takes to make a good one. (sorry just wanted to qualify myself before I throw out these remarks)
Boat: Shamu. I'd love to own one just like it. Fast as hell, clean, comfortable and kinda retro. The flooring in boat is superb. I fully dug the boat! It's just perfect for diving.
Captain: Mago. The first words that come to my mind are TOTALLY PRO and next would be FUNNY AS HELL! He is a VERY skilled captain in a place where that REALLY matters. Every time we would surface, there he was. Flawless. Every time I climbed up the latter there he was with a towel, bottled water and a portable shower ready to go. Really folks, amazing service and attention to detail. On a couple occasions Mago couldn't make it so a Captain by the name of Javier took over and I found him to be outstanding as well and a totally cool Guy. Also, Mago is a hell of a magician and he's quick to hit you with a few tricks during the SI. Very entertaining to say the least.
DM: Pedro. Pedro is a first rate DM and really it's safe to say he's as good as it gets. He keeps track of everyone all while finding an astonishing amount critters almost everywhere. Don't hate me but I'm a (gulp) DIR diver so my wife and I did our ascents and profiles a bit differently. After Pedro saw us dive he felt comfortable to let us do "our thing." We never abused his confidence and always kept in contact with him throughout the dive. Honestly his profiles and ascents were damn near DIR anyway. Also, our gear is definitely unusual and a bit complicated if you're unfamiliar with it but after one day he got it...no problem. Our gear was nearly perfect everyday minus a few minor tweaks here and there. I was VERY impressed with Pedro. That Guy is an awesome example of how a DM should be on ALL counts. He's also hilarious, full of energy and a GREAT Guy as well.
Owner: Christi. Cozumels Sweetheart!
Christi will no longer be known to my wife and I as "Christi from SB that owns Blue XT-Sea" but rather "our friend" she is the nicest, most attentive dive related person I have ever met. She went waaaaaaay beyond the call of duty without ever being asked. You simply will not find better service from an owner. We shared a great meals with her, laughed, joked and became instant friends. She invited us to see her beautiful home and on that occasion we got to meet her dogs and cat as well. We will greatly miss her and we cannot wait to go back to see her, her pets and that beautiful Island again. Two thumbs way up!!!!Other notes include the fact The Presidente is ALL THAT. It's a fabulous Hotel with gorgeous rooms and impeccable service! It's also very important for me to note that the water pressure was great too.
Our room overlooked the Scuba Shack and the whole beach. It pains me to think of it right now because I want to back there right now. The food at The Hotel is ok but the real star of the trip was Mesa 17! Delicious food! Try the Cheesecake for desert......unless your not into a piece of cheesecake that tastes like it was wrapped in a toasted marshmallow! :11: INCREDIBLE!!! Guidos was insane as well. Excellent food but most of you know that already.We had a great time and wanted to thank all the SB members that answered all our questions before going.....especially MoodieJeff (who I didn't find "moodie" at all
)-Chris
