NAIBdiver1
Contributor
We were very surprised by the large numbers and variety of fish in the La Paz area. So many different fish and the colours were great ! The hammerhead and whale shark dives were alot of work (hard swimming into current), but well worth the effort. (Helps to be pretty physically fit !). Water temperature, pretty much the same all week at 82F degrees,almost 28C. 3mm for me more than enough (2nd week October)
Nitrox available and custom blends. I dove 32% all week. 3 dives a day - $20.00 (USD) a day for the nitrox. There were choices of using aluminum 80's, HP steel 100's or 120's (extra $$$'s for the bigger tanks). No problem using USD there.
We were disappointed not seeing manta's, but the large number of sea lions, hammerhead and whale sharks more than made up for that ! 3 out of 4 - not bad ! There were also large numbers of eels of different species on most dives and not uncommon to see 2 or more in the same hole. One dive I saw 5 green morays in the same hole ! Sometimes there were so many fish that they got in the way of the particular fish that you wanted to video ! If you're looking for corals, you'll be disappointed as there are hardly any. Mostly rocks. We dove 4 different wrecks as well during the week.
The whaleshark encounter was snorkle only. A small ultralite airplane spotted them, the boat took you as close as possible and in you went, swim like crazy with directions being shouted from the boat. After seeing the shark, back on the boat and off again. We were divided into two groups. We did this 5 or 6 times. Hard swim, but amazing encounters !
The sea lion encounters were out of this world ! Got lots of video of them playing with us and what great posers ! Out of 15 dives, we saw sea lions on at least 5 or 6 of the dives. After one dive, I did my SI back in the water snorkeling with them for some more "sea lion time".
The boat crews were excellent and knew the areas we dove well and were able to give excellent briefings. One note of caution, make sure your gear is well secured on the boat ! During the week, 3 different divers (including myself and a DM) lost a fin over board on the boat rides out to the dive sites. Boat left around 0830 and returned 1630 - 1730. Lunch and snacks were served aboard. The captain/cook made sure the was a vegetarian lunch for those so inclined (me and my gf). I have to mention that the dive master (Antonio) gave me his fins for the day that I lost one of mine. I thought for sure, no diving for me. Great crews !
Deciding on which filter to use (video - green or blue water) proved to be difficult as conditions changed from one site to another), so editing will need abit of colour correction. Although, I was happy that I brought both filters.
The hotel was nice and we had a room near the pool. There are rooms near the road. The road at times is somewhat busy with truck traffic and could be a bit noisy I assume. The room was clean, but had a couple of issues that weren't attented to (shower drain needed attention, mainly). The AC was great and the room could be as cold as you could stand it !
The food is good, fresh and well prepared. But the supply dwindles as the eating periods progress. Breakfast was a somewhat bothersome as there was a small area where fresh eggs where cooked and that tended to hold up the progress of others getting their breakfast. Other than that no other complaints (oh - they did burn the rice pudding one evening and served it anyway)
We were very pleased with our vacation at Club Cantamar. Would I go again ? Already planning for the next trip there ! I think though this area for diving is better suited to the more experienced diver. Some deeper dives, strong currents, waiting at the surface for a pickup in choppy water. The boat crews are excellent and if you want the DM's are more than happy to go with you.
Nitrox available and custom blends. I dove 32% all week. 3 dives a day - $20.00 (USD) a day for the nitrox. There were choices of using aluminum 80's, HP steel 100's or 120's (extra $$$'s for the bigger tanks). No problem using USD there.
We were disappointed not seeing manta's, but the large number of sea lions, hammerhead and whale sharks more than made up for that ! 3 out of 4 - not bad ! There were also large numbers of eels of different species on most dives and not uncommon to see 2 or more in the same hole. One dive I saw 5 green morays in the same hole ! Sometimes there were so many fish that they got in the way of the particular fish that you wanted to video ! If you're looking for corals, you'll be disappointed as there are hardly any. Mostly rocks. We dove 4 different wrecks as well during the week.
The whaleshark encounter was snorkle only. A small ultralite airplane spotted them, the boat took you as close as possible and in you went, swim like crazy with directions being shouted from the boat. After seeing the shark, back on the boat and off again. We were divided into two groups. We did this 5 or 6 times. Hard swim, but amazing encounters !
The sea lion encounters were out of this world ! Got lots of video of them playing with us and what great posers ! Out of 15 dives, we saw sea lions on at least 5 or 6 of the dives. After one dive, I did my SI back in the water snorkeling with them for some more "sea lion time".
The boat crews were excellent and knew the areas we dove well and were able to give excellent briefings. One note of caution, make sure your gear is well secured on the boat ! During the week, 3 different divers (including myself and a DM) lost a fin over board on the boat rides out to the dive sites. Boat left around 0830 and returned 1630 - 1730. Lunch and snacks were served aboard. The captain/cook made sure the was a vegetarian lunch for those so inclined (me and my gf). I have to mention that the dive master (Antonio) gave me his fins for the day that I lost one of mine. I thought for sure, no diving for me. Great crews !
Deciding on which filter to use (video - green or blue water) proved to be difficult as conditions changed from one site to another), so editing will need abit of colour correction. Although, I was happy that I brought both filters.
The hotel was nice and we had a room near the pool. There are rooms near the road. The road at times is somewhat busy with truck traffic and could be a bit noisy I assume. The room was clean, but had a couple of issues that weren't attented to (shower drain needed attention, mainly). The AC was great and the room could be as cold as you could stand it !
The food is good, fresh and well prepared. But the supply dwindles as the eating periods progress. Breakfast was a somewhat bothersome as there was a small area where fresh eggs where cooked and that tended to hold up the progress of others getting their breakfast. Other than that no other complaints (oh - they did burn the rice pudding one evening and served it anyway)
We were very pleased with our vacation at Club Cantamar. Would I go again ? Already planning for the next trip there ! I think though this area for diving is better suited to the more experienced diver. Some deeper dives, strong currents, waiting at the surface for a pickup in choppy water. The boat crews are excellent and if you want the DM's are more than happy to go with you.
