More kids than adults!!!

[Cyprian]

Howdy friends, I need your assistance. I've searched and read these forums.....and come to the conclusion, albeit my conclusion that I need to take kiddos to Cancun or PDC versus Cozumel for fun. So here is the deal, 16 on vacation with 7 divers possible. Of that count, 3 are juniors with 40' depth restriction. I'm not not to flirt with that rule, so would you say that Cancun/Playa is the place to go versus Coz? I know Coz is the better dive location, but from what I've read over there years......we are talking depth to get to the reefs/walls that my juniors cannot technically reach.

Help me out folks! And thanks in advance. Please ignore any idiotic questions to follow! I knew you would!

 

[Geofish Dive in Playa]

You are correct, since you have Junior Open Water divers Playa/Cancun will be a better option for you. I don't know much about the diving in Cancun, I have heard it is pretty good, but the reefs here in Playa are great for shallow water divers. We have several different shallow water reefs (35-40ft) that are chalked full of sea life and still have nice coral formations. Cozumel is a great dive destination, but you are correct, it is deep wall diving. They do have shallow reefs, but honestly the shallow water reefs that you would dive in Playa or Cancun will be better. So if I were you I would dive in Playa and then sneak off to Coz with the Open Water divers one day. Good luck with your search and happy diving.

 

[Cyprian]

You are correct, since you have Junior Open Water divers Playa/Cancun will be a better option for you. I don't know much about the diving in Cancun, I have heard it is pretty good, but the reefs here in Playa are great for shallow water divers. We have several different shallow water reefs (35-40ft) that are chalked full of sea life and still have nice coral formations. Cozumel is a great dive destination, but you are correct, it is deep wall diving. They do have shallow reefs, but honestly the shallow water reefs that you would dive in Playa or Cancun will be better. So if I were you I would dive in Playa and then sneak off to Coz with the Open Water divers one day. Good luck with your search and happy diving.

Thanks for the reply. Nice website, by the way. Look for an email from me soon.

 

[Geofish Dive in Playa]

Thanks, I look forward to that. If you have any questions at all about anything, this forum is full of people that can help you. So don't worry about asking a lot of questions. Take care.

 

[Cyprian]

Thanks again. I'm still digging through posts looking for hotel options, car or van rental options, etc. If anyone wants to chime in, please do so.

My situation is a little unique as mentioned in the original post....more kids than adults! I'm really looking for a hotel on the beach either all inclusive or within reasonable walking distance to restaurants. A big plus would be topside activity for the non-diver adults and kids while we divers are out in the blue water.

Thanks to all who reply.

 

[Geofish Dive in Playa]

A couple all inclusive's that are on the beach and in town are The Grand Porto Real and the Royal, but I think the Royal might be adult only so that might not work. Also there are a ton of all inclusive resorts in Playacar, which is only about a 5 minute cab ride into town. There they have the Riu Resorts, Sandos Playacar, The Reef Club, Viva Wyndham......plus many more. Also there are many hotels in town, on the beach that are within walking distance to great restaurants and activities for the kids. Alhambra, Playa Palms, Playa Maya, and The Kinbe are among a few.

 

[Tigerman]

I have had the pleasure of diving both cozumel and cancun and although the reefs around cancun is shallower and flatter, they where in at least as good condition and actually had more fish and other things on them than what I saw at Cozumel - with the exception of people.
I think youll have some great dives around cancun

You also do have the option to take the non-juniors for a daytrip to cozumel if you wish and you could also go to the cenotes for a day of absolutely incredible and very different diving. The cenotes I wouldnt recommend to the juniors though and I dont really know if juniors are allowed into them..

I actually had my best shark encounter at a reef just outside of Cancun.
Those man-eating killing machines are damn hard to get close to, but in Cancun I did
Hope I can find some more in the red sea at the end of the month

 

[Cyprian]

I have had the pleasure of diving both cozumel and cancun and although the reefs around cancun is shallower and flatter, they where in at least as good condition and actually had more fish and other things on them than what I saw at Cozumel - with the exception of people.
I think youll have some great dives around cancun

You also do have the option to take the non-juniors for a daytrip to cozumel if you wish and you could also go to the cenotes for a day of absolutely incredible and very different diving. The cenotes I wouldnt recommend to the juniors though and I dont really know if juniors are allowed into them..

I actually had my best shark encounter at a reef just outside of Cancun.
Those man-eating killing machines are damn hard to get close to, but in Cancun I did
Hope I can find some more in the red sea at the end of the month

Thanks, Tigerman. I'm assuming that you were in Cancun in the winter to encounter sharks? That's the one thing my juniors seem to be the most concerned about although I am trying to convince them that sharks are not "man-eating machines." LOL. Lots of Discovery and Science Channel!

Take care.

 

[Tigerman]

It was in August 2008 I was there.
Dived cancun, cozumel and the cenotes as well as snorkling with whalesharks.
If I was going back there tomorrow and had to choose one of them which I couldnt do it would actually be cozumel that was skipped..

 

[Spratman]

I have been diving Cancun for a while now and never saw anything close to a shark. T-man was very fortunate to see one. Normally, you have to go to the deep bouy to see bull sharks.

Your family will have a great time around Cancun. If you are still looking for shops and ops, check out Scorpio Divers // Scuba Diving // Diving the way it should be.// Scuba Diving Cancun Puerto Morelos Cozumel Cenotes. Talk to Ben and Jorge about dive packages and hotel accomodations. They can assist with both. They are great with younger divers.