Direct Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel dive operators

[SCUBAJOE54]

I'm staying in Playa Del Carmen at the end of December and would like to spend a couple of days diving in Cozumel. Does anyone have recommendations for dive operators that have dive "speedboats" that go directly from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel dive sites? Is there any reason to consider using the ferry and using an operator based in Cozumel? It seems like using the ferry adds significant time and logistical steps. We are a family of five that is most interested in seeing colorful corals, reef fish, turtles, and rays. We are not particularly interested in deep dives.

Thanks for any thoughts you have!

 

[rick00001967]

i recommend contacting matt at tankha in playa. i assume they still run their own boat direct to coz.
however, if you are planning on doing a couple of days, you might wanna consider using the ferry and stay on the island for 2 or 3 nights at, or very close to a good dive op.
for one day, taking a dive boat over can make sense, but for more than that, especially with a family, i think you would enjoy it much more if you were able to stay over.

 

[Torontonian]

Yes definitely stay those few days in Cozumel, rather than the long ride from PDC to Coz each day.

There are many choices to stay in Cozumel and many good dive ops to choose from. Some dive ops even have their own or their preferred places to stay, if all you need is diving/snorkeling. Of course there are other hotel/resorts that can provide more (food, resort facilities, night shows, etc.)

 

[SCUBAJOE54]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, we already have our hotel booked in Playa Del Carmen. The rest of my family wanted an all inclusive resort with a nice beach, which seems to be pretty scarce in Cozumel. Is the boat ride over the channel really that bad? The two main direct boat choices seem to be Tankha and Acuaticaribe. I'm leaning toward Tankha as they seem to be more widely known.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I'm staying in Playa Del Carmen at the end of December and would like to spend a couple of days diving in Cozumel. Does anyone have recommendations for dive operators that have dive "speedboats" that go directly from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel dive sites?
Thanks for any thoughts you have!

I highly recommend Cenote Xperience, I have been diving with Nicolas since 2011. They have a small family run dive shop in Playa Del Carmen, They run cenote dives and ocean dives from Playa and to Cozumel.

Próximamente • Coming Soon – CenoteXperience

www.cenotexperience.com.mx

 

[profmason]

Where in town is your hotel? As far as I know there are two options to take speedboats to Cozumel. Tank ha is more to the south end and the other operation is out of playa de coco more to the north end. Since I stay in colosio, I go out of playa de coco. A number of shops will book you on either boat. I have used Dune (French owned) $110 which is around the corner from my condo. Show up at their shop at 8:45, they drive you to playa del coco where you meet the DM of the day (someone not associated with the shop) get on the speed boat and it is about 45 minutes to Cozumel. NO the boat ride is not bad. 2 typical CZM dives. They do not want to do the Palancar sites. Back by 2PM. I just searched my whatsapp for the name of the DMs the, but no luck. I prefer to do spend a few days son CZM, but do the one day express if I want a rest day.

 

[scrane]

The crossing can be rough.

 

[SCUBAJOE54]

Where in town is your hotel? As far as I know there are two options to take speedboats to Cozumel. Tank ha is more to the south end and the other operation is out of playa de coco more to the north end. Since I stay in colosio, I go out of playa de coco. A number of shops will book you on either boat. I have used Dune (French owned) $110 which is around the corner from my condo. Show up at their shop at 8:45, they drive you to playa del coco where you meet the DM of the day (someone not associated with the shop) get on the speed boat and it is about 45 minutes to Cozumel. NO the boat ride is not bad. 2 typical CZM dives. They do not want to do the Palancar sites. Back by 2PM. I just searched my whatsapp for the name of the DMs the, but no luck. I prefer to do spend a few days son CZM, but do the one day express if I want a

Thanks for everyone's input. After talking it over, we are going to stay in Cozumel at the Allegro Resort. They have a dive shop on site and a lovely beach for my three teenage daughters. The more I read, the more I realized that diving in Cozumel from Playa Del Carmen is not as simple as it looks at first. I'm really looking forward to it!

 

[Torontonian]

Thanks for everyone's input. After talking it over, we are going to stay in Cozumel at the Allegro Resort. They have a dive shop on site and a lovely beach for my three teenage daughters. The more I read, the more I realized that diving in Cozumel from Playa Del Carmen is not as simple as it looks at first. I'm really looking forward to it!

My family stayed at Allegro before. For those nitrox certified you can dive nitrox free. I got my 3 children all nitrox certified in that trip, and they started to dive nitrox (free)

Allegro has other stuff you can do. Sailing, standup paddle boarding, tennis, etc. They also have night shows some are decent some are just "fashion shows". Good food. Good resort.

By staying at Coz, you have more choices of where to dive. When we were there, the place was full, and the dive shop ran several boats going out and you sign up for which boat/sites you want to do. My kids were all AOW, so we had a wide range of choices.

 

[skalalaz]

i recommend contacting matt at tankha in playa. i assume they still run their own boat direct to coz.
however, if you are planning on doing a couple of days, you might wanna consider using the ferry and stay on the island for 2 or 3 nights at, or very close to a good dive op.
for one day, taking a dive boat over can make sense, but for more than that, especially with a family, i think you would enjoy it much more if you were able to stay over.

Tank-Ha still runs their fast boat to Cozumel. They have moved their office however, One block down on the same street.