Costa Maya Anyone with updated info?

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Natasha

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I'm a Fish!
Hi Divers:
I'll be in Costa Maya for one day only. Leaving in less then 8 weeks. How's the diving? Who did you dive with? Is there any shore diving?
Thanks!
 
Can't help you with anything recent, but we were down on that area (Xcalak) two years ago and the diving was great. I don't know about Mahahual area, but in Xcalak, there was no shore diving. The area inside the reef was quite shallow, the reef was a long ways out from shore and had a lot of wave break. The areas aren't that far apart, so I think it's about the same.

The diving is alot like what you would get diving Ambergris Caye, only 30 miles or so apart. We dove a lot of slot canyons, drop down on the reef, find a slot, drop down, swim to the end, swim up and over or around to the next slot, repeat. Max depth was about 80', some times not more then 60'. Boat live drifted above us, and we ascended when we needed to. Tons of life and the reefs were in great shape. Lots of color. Highlight was a free-swimming moray that was probably 6' long and as big around as my thigh. Came out on a sand flat one day and there were six huge southern rays hunting.

We dove with XTC diving out of Xcalak. One of the owners of the resort we stayed at dove with us and guided. Basically used the shop for a boat ride and tanks. There was never anyone within eyesight on the surface. We were always the only ones diving on a site.

When we were researching for our trip I got the impression that the shops in Mahahaul catered to the cruise ships which it sounds like you might be doing. I also got the impression that there was a pissing contest going on between a couple of the shops, which was somewhat verified by the folks in the area I dove in. Some of the diving reviews I saw from Mahahual were less then stellar with the dive times being restricted, and folks not getting picked up for dives, and general feeling of cattle boat diving. All of this kind of steered us towards Xcalak, and we were very happy with our stay there.

I'm not sure how the area has faired since last years hurricane, as far as shops being open, infastructure being re-built, or reef condition. You might check on Cruise Critic, and see what others impressions are. The day we drove up to Mahahual to check it out, there were no ships in port, and it seemed peaceful and laid back, but I bet it could be pretty busy with a ship or two in port.
 
HI:
Good info~~ Thanks. I am also on Cruise Critic. I'll ask over there too. Thanks again. I do know they have been repaired (The shopping ares and such) since the hurricane. I just don't know much about the diving situation. Thanks again.
 
There are several dive ops in Mahahual. Xcalak is out of the question if you arrive by cruise ship (well at least the travel time is not worth it).

Dreamtime is the major cruise ship contractor.


Blue Ocean Safari - in town

Bucanero del Caribe - in town

Maya Palms- 8 km south of town

There are also some newer operations appearing, do not know how good they are.

All the ones above offer good service. Depending on your experience and air usage may want to check with each about diving your own profile. I know that Bucanero is very good at letting you dive your profile. Some of the others vary. I have used all of the above over the years - but management and divemasters do change.


The diving is just fine - just down in October will be back in December. Reefs are in great shape, only the areas to the north where hit hard. The rate is about $70 for a 2 tank dive.

Hopefully this will not start the usual p:no: contest between some of the local shops. Some of you have seen this before. let's just all get along. :wink:
 
Thank you. So I take it there is no shore diving...
 
There are several dive ops in Mahahual. Xcalak is out of the question if you arrive by cruise ship (well at least the travel time is not worth it).

Can you tell me how far this boar ride would be? This was taken from the cruise ship excursions. Thank you again.

Here you will be split up into small groups and board one of the dive boats custom made to maneuver through the unique local reef corridors. You will be diving on the magnificent Meso-American Barrier Reef system, the largest barrier reef system in the Northern Hemisphere. This particular area is known for its healthy and pristine corals and breathtaking reef formations that form massive ledges and swim troughs. Common marine life experienced on these dives include turtles, lobsters, stingrays, eels, king crabs, barracuda, nurse sharks and dolphin as well as a variety of tropical reef fish such as damsels, butterfly fish, pork fish, parrot fish, schools of Creole wrasse and blue tangs.
 
All of the dive OPs , except Maya Palms, are located in the village of Mahahual. Maya Palms is located about 6 miles south of town. The Mesoamerican reef is some 600 miles long. In the Mahahual area it runs about 200 yards offshore. Depending on the dive site, boat times are about 5 - 20 minutes. Most of the better site and those less impacted by hurricane Dean 07 are to the south ( between 5 and 12 km to the south ).
 
Thanks again. I don't know which dive op the ship uses. Are you with a dive shop there?

Since I will be with non divers, I would just like to go with a local dive op, and hop on a one tank dive if there is such a thing there. Any ideas for this? Thanks again. You have been very helpful.
 
When I dive out of Mahahual, I use Bucaneros del Caribe out of the Hotel Mahuhual. We dove with them on Chincorros Banks a couple months ago. Sound outfit!:wink:
 
We're heading to Costa Maya in April. The info I have right now, you could go with Maya Palms Maya Palms Resort They go out on three tanks during the day, but they return between each dive to the resort. The normal dive is 930 depart, lunch at the resort and 1200 depart. They also offer a 230 depart. Sure you can jump on only one of these if you want.

Later!
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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