What's the scoop on Papa Hog's?

[DandyDon]

$80 for 2 tank trip: Blue Note Scuba Diving -The diving Expert in Cozumel, Mexico

 

[FrenziedFerret]

Wait------I am confused.......I thought it was Papa Hogs that you were unhappy with.........and now it's Aldora??.......anybody else on your list?.........or have I missed something.............Betsy

I never said I'm "unhappy" with Papa Hog's. I'm only asking if anyone else has noticed they might not be as good as they used to be. My hope is it was only a temporary problem.

But I am very unhappy with Aldora! (And yes, I did complain to their management. They didn't seem to believe me, or care.) It was a long time ago, so they may be different now.

I'll look into Blue Angel, or maybe Blue XT if I can shore dive off the Iberostar pier.

 

[driftin' by]

that would be considered a wee bit unethical in our culture.

Which culture? Sounds like free enterprise to me which is alive and well in MY culture. There is nothing unethical about it as long as the "old crew" doesn't do anything slanderous. Nevertheless, I do find it awkward especially if there are hard feelings between the two parties. YMMV. FWIW, like with all new competitive ventures, I wish them all the success in the world.

Now, let the games begin!

I'll look into Blue Angel, or maybe Blue XT if I can shore dive off the Iberostar pier

Don't they call that Pier Diving?

 

[H2ODoc]

Yeah, same Pumba. I'm not sure I ever had the pleasure of knowing Opal.

We dove with Opal as the DM on one of the slow 10:00 am boats out of Blue Angel last year. She's like a humming bird - moving about 100 mph above and under water. Not in a bad way, but just tons of energy!

Also wanted to add my $0.02 and feedback for Blue Angel:

- hard working DMs and boat captains
- DMs genuinely seem to like helping
- they always seem to be open to diving anything
- I think you could store your gear on-site - they won't rinse it for you, but they have a rinse tank and big plastic boxes that you can store your gear in and it gets locked up at night. I assume anyone can store gear, but maybe it's only intended for guests of Caribe Blue?
- one thing that I've noted in 20 dives with Blue Angel... we've always been on boats with good people on board. Genuinely nice divers - most with a LOT of experience and all have had good attitudes. Granted... 20 dives ain't a lifetime, but it seems they attract a nice group of clients... including Driftin' by and wife!
- bottom line for us... the value is tough to beat - nice operation with good DMs for a nice price.

 

[MMM]

I assume anyone can store gear, but maybe it's only intended for guests of Caribe Blue?

Anyone diving with Blue Angel can store their gear at the shop, regardless of where they are staying. But that's not particularly useful to someone staying at the Iberostar....

When I am staying in town and bicycling to the dive shop, it's handy however. One cab ride to the shop upon arrival and one cab ride upon departure.... My dry bag goes into the bicycle basket carrier on trips in between.

They will also let you sit at the Caribe Blu pool after dives (drink beer, fill out log book, do a free shore dive, whatever).

 

[DandyDon]

I'll look into Blue Angel, or maybe Blue XT if I can shore dive off the Iberostar pier.

They're both fine Ops, but day and night different - and I wouldn't let a shore dive mean much to me. I don't care for them at all. I'd rather use the time for another $50-80 boat trip or a nap, whichever seems more important. I try to keep my home bud, myself, and our gear in practice and preparation that we can step out of a pickup or off a plane and be ready for a 100 ft dive in 30 minutes. That won't happen there often, as they'll usually work you into the right boat for a check-out dive anyway - so they can check you out mostly, but we've done 'em, with some problems...

Which culture? Sounds like free enterprise to me which is alive and well in MY culture. There is nothing unethical about it as long as the "old crew" doesn't do anything slanderous. Nevertheless, I do find it awkward especially if there are hard feelings between the two parties. YMMV. FWIW, like with all new competitive ventures, I wish them all the success in the world.

Now, let the games begin!

Don't they call that Pier Diving?

Yeah, I was thinking that the crews are often a more important consideration to a tourist diver than the internet site or boat. Some customers may appreciate knowing where their favorite crew went?

 

[driftin' by]

- hard working DMs and boat captains
- DMs genuinely seem to like helping
- they always seem to be open to diving anything
- I think you could store your gear on-site - they won't rinse it for you, but they have a rinse tank and big plastic boxes that you can store your gear in and it gets locked up at night. I assume anyone can store gear, but maybe it's only intended for guests of Caribe Blue?
- one thing that I've noted in 20 dives with Blue Angel... we've always been on boats with good people on board. Genuinely nice divers - most with a LOT of experience and all have had good attitudes. Granted... 20 dives ain't a lifetime, but it seems they attract a nice group of clients... including Driftin' by and wife!
- bottom line for us... the value is tough to beat - nice operation with good DMs for a nice price.

Couldn't agree more.... especially the clientele part. :blush:

They're both fine Ops, but day and night different

Very important to keep in mind.

Yeah, I was thinking that the crews are often a more important consideration to a tourist diver than the internet site or boat.

Don, did you mean non-tourist divers? That's to say, people who are "regulars"? Within reason, I'll following our favorite DM at Blue Angel to anywhere he goes. Besides being an extremely knowledgeable and competent diver, he's an easy-going and likable person. As a result of knowing him, there's not that 3-4 dive adjustment period of him getting to know us and us getting to know him. He knows we're confident and competent divers when we book and what our expectations are without extraneous dialog about diving in principal. Instead, we're able to catch up on our personal lives as if long-time, good friends which I find rewarding. YMMV

When I am staying in town and bicycling to the dive shop, it's handy however. One cab ride to the shop upon arrival and one cab ride upon departure.... My dry bag goes into the bicycle basket carrier on trips in between.

Bicycling.... What a neat and green idea especially today- Earth Day

 

[sharky60]

I think Dive with Martin will store your gear, seems like they used to keep ours for us if we weren't planning a shore dive later that day.

Other reco's:

.... but it seems they attract a nice group of clients...

...and despite that they let me dive there too!

... another vote for Blue Angel, I'll be with those fine folks late this week!

2. www.Bottomtimedivers.com Raul Plates is one of my all time favorite DM's on Coz. Great at finding those little critters, all critters for that matter, very safety minded and just a good guy. Consider giving him some of your dive time, you won't be dissapointed.

3. and of course, Blue XTSea, Miss Christy, can't use the Miss too much longer :d & crew will do you right.

 

[iguano]

Papa Hog's will clean and store your gear for you. You leave it on the boat when you get to your hotel and the boys take it back, rinse and store it for you. Then it is on the boat ready to go the next morning when they pick you up.

 

[Christi]

...Miss Christy, can't use the Miss too much longer...

Hehe! that just made me giggle and smile REAL big...haha! It's starting to sink in that I'm going to be an "old married woman" before year's end