Cozumel Weather/Certification Questions

[Superman541]

Brand new Board member here. First post. Studying to become a PADI certified open water diver, and looking forward to that. Confined water dives are set for late November. My plan is to accomplish my open water certification dives in Cozumel where the water is dozens of degrees warmer than Puget Sound. This is set for the last half of January when I will be on the island for 11 days. Following that, another three days at Playa del Carmen for a wedding.

It just dawned on me to check water temperature conditions and other environmental data. Water will be around 80 degrees, which makes me happy. But now I see there are heavy winds at Cozumel in January. Sometimes. These winds can cause virtually all diving to cease. It appears that these wind events, when they occur, are of short duration.

Here is how you can help me with your input: What are the chances I will fail, due to weather conditions, to accomplish my certification dives during my stay there? (I REALLY do not want to do this in Puget Sound if I can avoid it) What strategies can I employ to help ensure I successfully become certified during my stay there?

Please also offer any other advice, such as favorite dive sites, dive shops, restaurants, etc. Thank you, in advance.

 

[jbjclj]

You should move this to the Cozumel board (under Mexico)

 

[Superman541]

Oops. I an unsure how to move a thread.

 

[waterone]

I would suggest getting certified in the Sound, beautiful! If you get certified there the warm water in Cozumel (around 78-80 in January) should seem much lighter and easier.

Really though getting certified out there with how much time you will be over there should be very easy, even if the harbor closed for a couple days.

I went out last January and I would suggest some sort of boat coat for possible wind and rain.