Diving in Cozumel

[hollyautumn]

Hi,
I am very new to diving having completed my Open Water Scuba Course – Pool and Classroom Training. Decided to do this in lieu of just a 45 minute glad to meet ya, now let's scuba resort class only when I go to Cozumel mid-February. I am wondering if anyone has experience with shore excursions from cruise ships there. I want to dive as safely as possible and I am not sure whether I should book a shore excursion or try to find something on my own. Have read a few posts about some not so good experiences... Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[parzdiver]

A few years back I booked through a cruise ship in Cozumel and they used Sand Dollar Sports. Had a great dive, and the operation was good. Most ops the ships use are going to be safe, but they can be larger groups (some called cattle boats) and can more limiting in either time or depth for folks. As a new diver, I did many cruise excursion dives and never had a problem. Some people prefer to book independently, and as long as you research the operation you are using and they understand you are on a schedule, you should be fine.

Are you going to do your checkout dives BEFORE the cruise or are you looking to do referral checkout dives when on the cruise?

 

[lavachickie]

Sounds like you're looking for a referral for your OW dives to end with certification. That'll take two days, I believe (four dives total, two each day). I've never hired for a shore excursion like you are doing (first time in Cozumel was last week!) but in my pre-trip research, I found many glowing recommendations for Scuba with Alison (Scuba Dive Cozumel | ScubaWithAlison). Made me want to go back and drive with her outfit!

Come back and give us a rundown of your trip. Have fun!

 

[CamG]

Greetings holyautumn and welcome aboard! It is great to hear of your training and if I understand correctly you are looking to do a referral. I would take the advice of lazachickie and look into the dive op she mentioned. Make sure that they can work with your cruise schedule or if you will have to make other plans. One thing is very certain diving Coz. is awesome! What a location to kick off your diving.
Please feel free to ask questions and be sure to use the search engine here to look at other threads and posts that have a wealth of practical tips and knowledge.
Congratulations and always dive safe and with in your training level. Please post your trip report and keep us up on your progress.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[boulderjohn]

Welcome to ScubaBoard. This is a huge site with many independent forums. Many of the people who can give you the best advice do not read the New Divers forum. If you scroll down, you will see a regional travel section, and if you drill down enough, you will an entire and very busy forum devoted to Cozumel. Your question will be better answered there. I will ask that your question be moved.

 

[BTravlin]

If you've completed your OW cert then I would recommend Blue XTSea. If you want to do the OW referral and finish in Cozumel then you'll need an instructor but I doubt you would have enough time in port to complete the required # of dives. I've never taken any instructions in Coz but watched Mateo at Aldora teaching for a week and was very impressed.

Check with both shops and see which one best meets your needs and cruise schedule.

 

[firstdive2005]

Hi Hollyautumn and welcome to diving.
Can you put out a little more info so people can give a better opinion to what you are looking for?
For instance- it seems you may be on a cruise ship. That's one day.
Are you wanting to complete certification?
Do you have dive gear?
I'm about to be there for a month. Staying right across from where you are offloading if you are on a ship.
Good times to ya! kevin

 

[billindenver]

I've never taken any instructions in Coz but watched Mateo at Aldora teaching for a week and was very impressed.

Mateo at Aldora is a phenomenal instructor. He is patient and packed full of knowledge. The guy lives and breathes scuba. He did my AOW, as well as my partner's. Did his OW as well and his wives discover scuba. I can't imagine a more enthusiastic instructor.

Firstdive2005...one month. A whole month? Ok, I'm not speaking to you anymore....jerk.

A whole flippin month.

Jerk.

I hate canadians. Probably an oilers fan too....that would just seal it.

 

[divefamily09]

Hi Hollyautumn. If you want a good instructor in Coz get a hold of Freddy at Mestizo dIvers. He is flexible with his schedule and is very good with students. Trained my wifes dad, sister, uncle, cousin and did our AOW.
John

 

[DandyDon]

Hi,
I am very new to diving having completed my Open Water Scuba Course – Pool and Classroom Training. Decided to do this in lieu of just a 45 minute glad to meet ya, now let's scuba resort class only when I go to Cozumel mid-February. I am wondering if anyone has experience with shore excursions from cruise ships there. I want to dive as safely as possible and I am not sure whether I should book a shore excursion or try to find something on my own. Have read a few posts about some not so good experiences... Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Well, when our wonderful membership sees a request for dive operators and instructors, it turns into a cheerleader session. :cheerleader: There many very good choices, and few bad ones.

Blue Angel Resort is my favorite and they have a 10am big boat for divers and snorkelers popular with cruise people. It's where I am sending my only daughter and only grandson when they dock for the day there. Of course, I will plead with them to follow my personal instructions, take their own gear & snorkel vest, etc.

Like the others, I wonder if you want to complete certification there or just do some dives there after your certify at home? As cold as Michigan is now, I suspect you want to do your C-dives, which takes two days. Not many cruise barges stay that long....? If that is the case tho, Matt is the primary instructor at Blue Angel and a very good one. I did my first Cenote/cave dives with him.

Do you have DAN dive insurance? It's a must have for any diver, including OW students. DAN Divers Alert Network : Insurance : Diving Accident Insurance Plan Also has some non-diving benefits built into the required membership and into the Master & Preferred plans. Do not consider the cheapest Standard plan, as it's a real dog and the next one up is only $10 more.

Whichever operator you use, hire a private DM as a buddy for the first couple of days after certification. Money well spent. :cool3:

Have a great trip and welcome to SB!