shardison
Contributor
I've dived both places.... I liked diving Kona alot... I liked diving Cozumel more!!! In my opinion, Cozumel has the biggest bang for the buck. As others have said, there are many hotel options that fit every budget. If you check out some of the AI resorts, you may find a package deal that includes all of your dives in the price when you book with them. Scuba Club Cozumel (for example), is $899.00 per diver+ Tax (double occupancy). That includes room, 2 boat dives a day (5 days) and unlimited shore diving, & 3 meals a day. I saw the biggest turtle I've ever seen off Santa Rosa Wall (It looked like the Starship Enterprise metaphorically speaking). Huge groupers, And 6-7 foot Baracuda. The best part however.... It's all drift diving!! No surge to deal with at all really. You just have to be aware of down currents, and enjoy the feeling of "Flying" when the current is moving.
All I can tell you is... I try to go back to Cozumel every year... Even if I can't financially swing it that year, I still "plan" to go. If I'm going to dive the Pacific again. It will be Tahiti or Australia.
Kona had good viz in January when i was there, but Coz's viz blows it out of the water in comparison... I saw some larger critters in Kona (perhaps the biggest puffer fish I've ever seen) Manta Rays of course, and the possibility of humpbacks in January.
Good luck and great diving wishes to you.
All I can tell you is... I try to go back to Cozumel every year... Even if I can't financially swing it that year, I still "plan" to go. If I'm going to dive the Pacific again. It will be Tahiti or Australia.
Kona had good viz in January when i was there, but Coz's viz blows it out of the water in comparison... I saw some larger critters in Kona (perhaps the biggest puffer fish I've ever seen) Manta Rays of course, and the possibility of humpbacks in January.
Good luck and great diving wishes to you.