A quick Cozumel trip report.
I have just returned from Cozumel where I did six days diving with Aldora. I could not be happier with the experience. This was my first trip to Mexico since I was a child. I can typically be found somewhere in Asia but wanted to give Mexico a try.
It’s a direct flight from Seattle to Cancun and a quarter of the flight time I am used to. Tickets were under $400 and we were even bumped to business class on the way down.
Aldora was professional and fun. I almost chose 3P’s but as I was diving alone I did not want to get paired up with multiple random divers and run the risk of short dives etc. With Aldora, it's dive as a group so I knew we would be coming up together at max bottom time. This worked out well for me.
I dove with Mario all week and met a bunch of great people. Made some new friends.
Our average bottom time was 84.5 minutes with the shortest at 63 minutes and the longest at 100 min.
I used an HP117, Titanium BP, and 4lbs. of lead in trim pockets wearing a 3mm full-suit & Tech Shorts.
Weighting was perfect for the HP Steel tank.
Nitrox was consistently filled to +/- 3700psi.
Visibility was easily well over 100’ at times and water was 85 degrees for the most part.
As for critters, I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of diving with a Hammerhead. We came out of a swim-through at Colombia Deep at 100’ to be greeted by a large Smooth Hammerhead at about 120’. Amazing experience.
Other highlights were Nurse Sharks, Green, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead Turtles, Spotted Eagle Ray, massive Green Moray Eels, Lobster, and a tiny Leaf Crab.
Food was far more expensive than I am used to in SE Asia but it was delicious.
Favorites were Mr. Taco, Guisados, Colores Y Sabores, & Crazy King Burrito.
We stayed at Casa Mexicana. Great location, clean rooms, friendly staff, and a good breakfast buffet ready prior to Aldora pickup. I was able to get in a couple of cups of coffee, fruit, and a made-to-order omelet and waffle every morning. The pier to be picked up is practically out the front door.
When I was not diving I was with my wife and son at one of the many Playa’s. We rented a car and made stops all over. We fell in love with Playa Palancar and enjoyed the Money Bar too. I was able to get dropped off by Aldora at both beaches where I had my family waiting. Made for easy days.
I suspect I will be an annual visitor from here on out as my family has fallen in love with Mexico. Particularly the people.
I can't wait to go back.
7/27 Palancar Gardens. 77 min 82ft
7/27 Cedral (Nurse Sharks) 78 min 65ft
7/28 Punta Sur Cathedral (Giant Loggerhead turtle) 63 min 121ft
7/28 Maracaibo 82 min 101ft
7/29 Columbia deep (9-10’ Hammerhead) 88 min 110ft
7/29 San Juan (Long Drift, 6’ & 8’ Nurse Sharks, massive Turtle, Lobsters) 97 min 72ft
7/30 Palancar 86 min 94ft
7/30 Santa Rosa wall (Drift, Giant Moray, Turtle, baby Shark, Lobsters) 91 min 83ft
7/31 Colombia Mid 86 min 114ft
7/31 Cedral (Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Moray Eels, tiny Nudibranchs,)100 min 80ft
8/1 Islote (East Coast off Rastas. Rolling reef, clean, tons of Coral life) 85 min 110ft
8/1 Punta Sur Cathedral (Spotted Eagle Ray, Leaf Crab) 82min 100ft
I have just returned from Cozumel where I did six days diving with Aldora. I could not be happier with the experience. This was my first trip to Mexico since I was a child. I can typically be found somewhere in Asia but wanted to give Mexico a try.
It’s a direct flight from Seattle to Cancun and a quarter of the flight time I am used to. Tickets were under $400 and we were even bumped to business class on the way down.
Aldora was professional and fun. I almost chose 3P’s but as I was diving alone I did not want to get paired up with multiple random divers and run the risk of short dives etc. With Aldora, it's dive as a group so I knew we would be coming up together at max bottom time. This worked out well for me.
I dove with Mario all week and met a bunch of great people. Made some new friends.
Our average bottom time was 84.5 minutes with the shortest at 63 minutes and the longest at 100 min.
I used an HP117, Titanium BP, and 4lbs. of lead in trim pockets wearing a 3mm full-suit & Tech Shorts.
Weighting was perfect for the HP Steel tank.
Nitrox was consistently filled to +/- 3700psi.
Visibility was easily well over 100’ at times and water was 85 degrees for the most part.
As for critters, I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of diving with a Hammerhead. We came out of a swim-through at Colombia Deep at 100’ to be greeted by a large Smooth Hammerhead at about 120’. Amazing experience.
Other highlights were Nurse Sharks, Green, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead Turtles, Spotted Eagle Ray, massive Green Moray Eels, Lobster, and a tiny Leaf Crab.
Food was far more expensive than I am used to in SE Asia but it was delicious.
Favorites were Mr. Taco, Guisados, Colores Y Sabores, & Crazy King Burrito.
We stayed at Casa Mexicana. Great location, clean rooms, friendly staff, and a good breakfast buffet ready prior to Aldora pickup. I was able to get in a couple of cups of coffee, fruit, and a made-to-order omelet and waffle every morning. The pier to be picked up is practically out the front door.
When I was not diving I was with my wife and son at one of the many Playa’s. We rented a car and made stops all over. We fell in love with Playa Palancar and enjoyed the Money Bar too. I was able to get dropped off by Aldora at both beaches where I had my family waiting. Made for easy days.
I suspect I will be an annual visitor from here on out as my family has fallen in love with Mexico. Particularly the people.
I can't wait to go back.
7/27 Palancar Gardens. 77 min 82ft
7/27 Cedral (Nurse Sharks) 78 min 65ft
7/28 Punta Sur Cathedral (Giant Loggerhead turtle) 63 min 121ft
7/28 Maracaibo 82 min 101ft
7/29 Columbia deep (9-10’ Hammerhead) 88 min 110ft
7/29 San Juan (Long Drift, 6’ & 8’ Nurse Sharks, massive Turtle, Lobsters) 97 min 72ft
7/30 Palancar 86 min 94ft
7/30 Santa Rosa wall (Drift, Giant Moray, Turtle, baby Shark, Lobsters) 91 min 83ft
7/31 Colombia Mid 86 min 114ft
7/31 Cedral (Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Moray Eels, tiny Nudibranchs,)100 min 80ft
8/1 Islote (East Coast off Rastas. Rolling reef, clean, tons of Coral life) 85 min 110ft
8/1 Punta Sur Cathedral (Spotted Eagle Ray, Leaf Crab) 82min 100ft
