Cozumel vs. Bonaire & top Asian/Pacific dive spots??

[judydivescoz]

I have been to Bonaire, Cozumel and the T&C.
I liked the ease of shore diving in Bonaire, all we needed was a truck and tanks, almost endless dive sites that can be reached from shore. We also did several days of boat dives. What I did not like in Bonaire was the idea that your truck and especially anything in it, had a good chance of being stolen while you were shore diving. Our sunglasses and towels were taken while we were diving. Aside from that, the diving was spectacular. We stayed at the Divi and liked walking into town for drinks after dinner. The only other issue with Bonaire is getting there, from the east coast, its a tough ride.
We did the T&C on a liveabord, the walls were incredible. We saw plenty of the usual suspects plus a large amount of spotted eagle rays. It was a great trip. We would love to do another liveaboard trip in the T&C sometime soon.
Cozumel has become our favorite dive destination. We love the diving. We have been there many times since the hurricane (we had been there many times before as well) and have enjoyed seeing the reefs recover. The reefs were in great shape the last trip in October. Looking forward to a trip in Feb. We have made many friends on the island, its great to see them several times a year. Its easy to get there. The people are friendly and it is very safe!! Its affordable, we have a great vacation that does not break the bank and we do exactly what we want to do.

 

[scubadada]

Dive with a very high quality operator like Aldora Divers if you want to get the most out of Cozumel. I love Bonaire (Bonaire Dive & Adventure) and T&C (Caicos Adventures) too.

Good diving, Craig

 

[Mike]

Cozumel is a quick, cheap get-away with a bonus of decent diving. I thought the reefs were, in general, not in the best condition - lots of damage from weather and divers. With that said, if you are a beginner (or only ever dive Cozumel), you will love it and never know what you are missing. I surfaced from Palancar Gardens and was wondering which freaking boat was mine, as well as if the boat heading straight for me would notice, LOL!

I skipped several dives, frankly I think I have been spoiled by my Indonesian experiences. I would return to Cozumel for a getaway, but it would not be specifically for the diving, although I definitely would go diving.

I think if you started booking with a better dive operator you could get away from Palancar Gardens and see a completely different Cozumel. Maybe not one as good as Indonesia, but certainly much better then your previous experience.

Almost every dive I've been on in Cozumel over the last 3 trips we are almost always the only boat on the dive site. On 10 dives we might see one other dive group 1 time.

 

[farsidefan1]

I would rate them as follows Red Sea (fabulous fish life - schools of hammerheads etc) Fiji (unbelievable colors on coral and fish, seas snakes etc) GBR (some spectacular fish life, did it on the Spoilsport and service was amazing and dms were among the best ever) Bahamas had a surprising amount of large stuff, sharks on most dives. Rest of the caribbean are quite similar. I like Bonaire the least for the reasons some like it the most - the shore diving. Fish life is very good but getting there is a HUGE pain (yeah they don't tell you about the stop in Curacao but it is there and you have to get off and on and go through security again etc. As to the shore diving I guess it is an age thing. Keeping my balance stumbling across broken coral and uneven footing while carrying all your gear on is not really that much fun to me. Best shore diving was from the piers at Buddy dive and Don's habitat due to easy enty and exit. I love Roatan for truly easy shore diving and great macro life. Cancun provides great structures and one of the greatest night dives I've ever enjoyed. 4 octos, 5 huge crabs out in the open lobsers out for a stroll, 5 spendid toadfish, just amazing. Anyway that is how I'd rank them, as I said, all caribbean sites are about equal although each is distinctly different. Is it ok to say "separate but equal"?

 

[DandyDon]

Where are you, Jason?

If you have extensive money and time, you might prefer other locations for various reasons, but Coz is cool and close.

 

[okiraku_diver]

Can anyone compare the quality/experience of Cozumel diving to Bonaire or Dominica, or some of the better Pacific/Asian dive spots - Fiji, Thailand or the Red Sea?

I love Cozumel in summer, actually I have visited 4 times in August. Compared with Asian dive site, such as Bali in Indonesia, Maldive, I have never felt crowded dive site in Cozumel, reef condition is not bad.

Have fun in Cozumel

 

[parrotheaddiver]

Hi guys -

I am considering visiting Cozumel for the first time this July. Have historically shyed away from it because I have worried that its popularity could mean cattle-car dive boats, crowded dive sites and potentially diver-damaged reefs.

Can anyone compare the quality/experience of Cozumel diving to Bonaire or Dominica, or some of the better Pacific/Asian dive spots - Fiji, Thailand or the Red Sea?

Thanks!

You can't really compare Caribbean diving to the Pacific/Asian diving....it is like comparing a lake with the caribbean.... but the Caribbean is closer and more economical for us living here for the most part....Yes Cozumel is popular but with the drift diving the dive sites are not crowded nor are the reefs diver-damaged... there is some "cattle" boat diving...but if you choose you op wisely you can avoid that

 

[Where2Next]

I think if you started booking with a better dive operator you could get away from Palancar Gardens and see a completely different Cozumel. Maybe not one as good as Indonesia, but certainly much better then your previous experience.

Almost every dive I've been on in Cozumel over the last 3 trips we are almost always the only boat on the dive site. On 10 dives we might see one other dive group 1 time.

Mike, I suspect you are absolutely correct. I wanted to dive with Aldora; however I was outvoted by my group. We did dive with a smallpack; I am not here to effect an opps business, so I will not mention names. The sites I most wanted to dive were either a big NO or a last minute extra fee on top of an already reasonable price. Frankly it is my fault for not inquiring about the sites ahead of time - I just assumed.

Not to push Fiji (I am currently planning a trip, so it is on the top of my mind) I came across Paradise Fiji Resort. Pretty new, with an unbeatable deal right now. It makes up for the airfare. Boutique, upscale resort, max of 20 guests. Dive shop on site. $1100usd (2000fijian) for 5 nights, for 2 people (not each - total!) - includes food (diving extra). It is located right off of Rainbow Reef and the SomoSomo Straight. That is pretty damn good IMO. I am thinking about adding a third week just to stay here! (screw work)

 

[Mike]

Mike, I suspect you are absolutely correct. I wanted to dive with Aldora; however I was outvoted by my group.

I dive with Aldora. I think you'll be very happy with them.

 

[DeltaWardog]

My wife and I like Cozumel more than Bonaire, but we wouldn't trade our Bonaire experience for anything. We went to Bonaire for our third scuba trip to learn how to "do it ourselves" without a divemaster holding our hands. It was great for that experience alone. But the reef variety and especially larger animal life pales in comparison to Cozumel, in our experience.

Also the petty crime on Bonaire *is* a problem. Lots of people report having things stolen from their rental trucks at the dive sites. Until the local government makes it a priority to patrol the dive sites and prosecute the offenders (neither of which happens today) we probably won't go back.