Cozumel planning for a group of newbies

[on99]

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum, gonna visit the fascinated Cozumel island in august, this’s my first caribbean trip, got a few questions on my planning:
1/ group of 4, I’m the only one who has diver license, others may do discovery diving, any dive shop recommend?
2/ any suggestion on snorkeling sites
3/ we will do snorkeling most the time, how much does it cost for mask rental? Would it be a good idea to purchase the whole set of mask snorkel n fins beforehand?
4/ we all want to spend one day on Maya cultural stuff like pyramid, shld we stay in Cozumel, isla mujeres or cancun?
5/ our trip will be after mid aug, hows the weather by then? Hows the water temp n current condition?

any suggestion is welcome n grateful:kiss2:

 

[mstevens]

Would it be a good idea to purchase the whole set of mask snorkel n fins beforehand?

Absolutely. Masks are all about fit, and it's far easier to ensure a good fit by having one's own. And who wants to use a snorkel that someone else has been chewing on?

we all want to spend one day on Maya cultural stuff like pyramid, shld we stay in Cozumel, isla mujeres or cancun?

Well, definitely NOT Cancun for this (or anything much, really). The San Gervasio site on the island is fine, but the ruins are small and spread out. If you can get to Tulum or Coba those are better experiences in my view. Getting to Isla Mujeres from Cozumel is a long process involving getting to the mainland by ferry, heading north by bus or other vehicle, then going to Isla Mujeres on a different ferry.

our trip will be after mid aug, hows the weather by then? Hows the water temp n current condition?

There's a sticky at the top of the forum that includes weather. It's accurate. Mid-August it's pretty hot. The water will be warm and clear.

 

[Skittl1321]

For the snorkeler's in your group, I know a number (including myself, my husband, my sister, her husband...) of people who have got this mask/snorkel set:
Amazon.com : U.S. Divers Admiral 2 Lx / Island Dry Adult Silicone Mask Combo (Electric Blue) : Diving Packages : Sports & Outdoors (My husband and I also used this mask for our pool work of scuba training, but decided to replace it for a comfier mask.) To be honest, I know plenty of snorkelers who are plenty happy with $10 walmart sets too.

It certainly is not as comfortable, nor fit my face as well as my $100 mask, but it never leaked on me, or anyone I know. If snorkeling isn't going to be a regular thing for them, they might balk at the price of most good, well fitted masks. (Heck- even when I went to get a new mask after I certified for scuba diving, I thought they were ridiculously priced.) But at least this will have the hygiene thing going for them! (I also really like the dry snorkel and purge on the snorkel.)

We thought the snorkeling at Chankanaab was fabulous, but the entry fee too high. It was also really crowded in the snorkel area. We found that there were fewer fish at Money Bar, but still enough to enjoy it, plus it was free (although we always purchase food and drink). We also found that there was some to see at the pier outside our hotel (Sabor). I've never done a boat snorkel trip in Coz, but when what looked like 20-50 divers were dumped overhead while we were diving in Paradise Reef, I wondered how enjoyable that was, since the reef was 30 feet below them. The water is clear, so surely there was a lot to see, but the fish were a lot lower.

 

[robint]

Your friends should think about doing the book and pool work at home before the trip if they want to get certified.

What type of hotel are you looking for? Are you wanting to have an all-inclusive and activities, beach, etc?

With a group your size, most larger dive ops will give you your own boat and take you to snorkel. They know the best spots and will take you out to them. Coral is not close to shore in Cozumel, so shore snorkeling is limited to coral rubble and sand. There are fish, but it is nothing like out on a reef.
If you are staying at a south resort, they can take you to Columbia shallows.
If you are staying at a north resort, they can take you to Chankanaab or Paradise shallows.

As far as Resort courses... realize they do not count towards actual certification.
It is best to do them with a real instructor, don't go with the cheapest you can find. You get what you pay for. A real instructor is going to be patient and safe, not rush you through.

Go to your local dive shop to buy good dive masks that fit. If your masks leak, you will not enjoy even a second in the water.

weather.... August is hot and humid, and in the middle of hurricane season. That does not mean you will have a hurricane, but it does mean you should expect rain showers, possibly every day for a short time, maybe 5 minutes one day, maybe 2 hours another. You can still dive and snorkel unless the seas are really rough.

 

[on99]

Absolutely. Masks are all about fit, and it's far easier to ensure a good fit by having one's own. And who wants to use a snorkel that someone else has been chewing on?

Well, definitely NOT Cancun for this (or anything much, really). The San Gervasio site on the island is fine, but the ruins are small and spread out. If you can get to Tulum or Coba those are better experiences in my view. Getting to Isla Mujeres from Cozumel is a long process involving getting to the mainland by ferry, heading north by bus or other vehicle, then going to Isla Mujeres on a different ferry.

There's a sticky at the top of the forum that includes weather. It's accurate. Mid-August it's pretty hot. The water will be warm and clear.

thx Stevens~
i do always recommend my buddies to get their own set of masks n snorkel, just trying to let them know renting a mask is not a wise way in terms of money.
how long dose it takes to get to Tulum/Coba from Cozumel? ferry plus taxi?

 

[Karloss]

thx Stevens~
i do always recommend my buddies to get their own set of masks n snorkel, just trying to let them know renting a mask is not a wise way in terms of money.
how long dose it takes to get to Tulum/Coba from Cozumel? ferry plus taxi?

Speaking from memory the ferry is around 10.00 usd per person one way. I don't know about taxis on the mainland, you MAY be better off renting a car. I am sure some others will give experience on that.

 

[on99]

For the snorkeler's in your group, I know a number (including myself, my husband, my sister, her husband...) of people who have got this mask/snorkel set:
Amazon.com : U.S. Divers Admiral 2 Lx / Island Dry Adult Silicone Mask Combo (Electric Blue) : Diving Packages : Sports & Outdoors (My husband and I also used this mask for our pool work of scuba training, but decided to replace it for a comfier mask.) To be honest, I know plenty of snorkelers who are plenty happy with $10 walmart sets too.
It certainly is not as comfortable, nor fit my face as well as my $100 mask, but it never leaked on me, or anyone I know. If snorkeling isn't going to be a regular thing for them, they might balk at the price of most good, well fitted masks. (Heck- even when I went to get a new mask after I certified for scuba diving, I thought they were ridiculously priced.) But at least this will have the hygiene thing going for them! (I also really like the dry snorkel and purge on the snorkel.)
We thought the snorkeling at Chankanaab was fabulous, but the entry fee too high. It was also really crowded in the snorkel area. We found that there were fewer fish at Money Bar, but still enough to enjoy it, plus it was free (although we always purchase food and drink). We also found that there was some to see at the pier outside our hotel (Sabor). I've never done a boat snorkel trip in Coz, but when what looked like 20-50 divers were dumped overhead while we were diving in Paradise Reef, I wondered how enjoyable that was, since the reef was 30 feet below them. The water is clear, so surely there was a lot to see, but the fish were a lot lower.

thx Skittl~
i believe the $10 walmart set would easily fall apart during normal usage, 2 buddies of mine bought a similar stuff last time we went to thai pattaya, 1 leaked from temp glass sealant n another 1 got broken at the mask strap buckle, i would definitely stop them by getting those crap~
the us diver combo is a pretty good deal, thx for the link!

$10 walmart snorkeler doesnt need much coz they usually floating on the surface, but they will know if they dive into the water. in my point of view, masks is a consumable diving equipment, i keep switching mine from the day i got my OW license, it's been the 8th or 9th pair till now, since diff dive environment may need diff masks, fun dive, cave dive, free dive.... i always want to try sth difference ;P
dry/purge snorkel are great, but u may need to stop using it if u want to get ur DM license, coz u r gonna forget how to use those traditional snorkel after u get used to the dry one.

do u remember the entry fee for Chankanaab? wondering how high it is.
i dont usually do 20-30 feet dive unless sth really worth for macro shooting, i'll always ask DM abt it b4 i join the dive. an anonymous scuba diver took pics with me at 20feet sth when i was enjoying freedive in balicasag island, we were watching the same coral reef

 

[jbark]

I have not done this, so I can't speak for the quality of the operation, but there is at least one car service which will pick you up from the ferry dock in a van and take you to the ruins. A private tour type of thing. I found that while googling for a possible day trip while planning a cruise with a stop in coz.

here is a link i saved:

Chichen Itza Private Tour for Playa del Carmen

Again, I have not used this service I found them looking for an excursion from a cruise ship but the timing would not work. They also do similar private vans to tulum and/or coba.

The reason this looks appealing to me is that you get your own schedule and your own van. the total cost is not bad for 4 persons or more.

good luck,
Jerry

 

[Skittl1321]

dry/purge snorkel are great, but u may need to stop using it if u want to get ur DM license, coz u r gonna forget how to use those traditional snorkel after u get used to the dry one.

I'm not going to be a DM, so I'm good. (Since I don't really dive anywhere with a rough surface swim, I don't dive with the snorkel on my mask; I only use the snorkel when I'm going snorkeling.)

do u remember the entry fee for Chankanaab? wondering how high it is.

It is $21. That includes use of their pools, the nature trails, alligator exhibit, there's a sea lion show. They have a beach and lots of chairs for sunning (or under an umbrella). But if you are just going to snorkel, it's kinda a lot.

i dont usually do 20-30 feet dive unless sth really worth for macro shooting, i'll always ask DM abt it b4 i join the dive. an anonymous scuba diver took pics with me at 20feet sth when i was enjoying freedive in balicasag island, we were watching the same coral reef

We liked Columbia Shallows and Paradise Reef (the two really shallow dives) because they let us have a good long dive for our second dive. And if you are able to find a dive boat that will combine divers and snorkelers, these are often the sites. (Though I was mentioning Paradise as an option for your snorkelers in your group if you do a boat trip instead of shore snorkeling.) If the snorkelers in your group are more 'free divers', then my advise may not be worthwhile, as I have no experience there. My snorkeling is average vacation snorkeling.

I guess reading all the posts now I'm confused if your friends are wanting to become divers, or just want to do a Discovery Dive for fun. If they want to become divers- get a good dive quality mask, not the amazon one; though it is plenty fine for a Discovery Dive or for SNUBA.

 

[robint]

Current Ferry price is $163 pesos one way.