shardison
Contributor
Honestly.... I had the same concern when I heard that Cozumel was all drift diving.
Frankly, you're ahead of the game already (because you have demonstrated concern in regards to your diving skills being good enough to dive Coz).
To be honest, It sounds much scarier than it actually is ( not to say that accidents never happen). By the time you spend a couple days in the water at Meujeras you'll have developed a comfort level with being in open water again. I do agree that you'll want to find a good dive shop (Blue XT, Aldora, and Blue Angel all have great reviews) with quality DMs. Just tell your DM as much truthful information about your diving experience, comfort level, etc... and just use the DM as your "buddy" it actually is the best way to go because he probably knows where to find most anything you want to see. (they know where the big morays like to den, where the sea horses can be found (that's like looking for a flea on an elephant's ***) .
I mean... It's his/her backyard! Who else would be better to have as a guide then the person that knows every little knook and cranny?
As long as you keep your head about you, stay relaxed, and stay close to the reef ( staying close to the reef is more pertenant for some dives then others) you shouldn't have any issues. I was in Coz in May 2011 and their was a 12 year old boy that was diving every dive that I was diving and he hadn't been certified very long. He had a great time.... In fact it was hard to get him out of the water at times. The little turkey's lungs were so small that he still had 1200 lbs of air when the rest of us had already surfaced and were back on the boat.
Frankly, you're ahead of the game already (because you have demonstrated concern in regards to your diving skills being good enough to dive Coz).
To be honest, It sounds much scarier than it actually is ( not to say that accidents never happen). By the time you spend a couple days in the water at Meujeras you'll have developed a comfort level with being in open water again. I do agree that you'll want to find a good dive shop (Blue XT, Aldora, and Blue Angel all have great reviews) with quality DMs. Just tell your DM as much truthful information about your diving experience, comfort level, etc... and just use the DM as your "buddy" it actually is the best way to go because he probably knows where to find most anything you want to see. (they know where the big morays like to den, where the sea horses can be found (that's like looking for a flea on an elephant's ***) .
I mean... It's his/her backyard! Who else would be better to have as a guide then the person that knows every little knook and cranny?
As long as you keep your head about you, stay relaxed, and stay close to the reef ( staying close to the reef is more pertenant for some dives then others) you shouldn't have any issues. I was in Coz in May 2011 and their was a 12 year old boy that was diving every dive that I was diving and he hadn't been certified very long. He had a great time.... In fact it was hard to get him out of the water at times. The little turkey's lungs were so small that he still had 1200 lbs of air when the rest of us had already surfaced and were back on the boat.
