I just got back from Cancun on Tuesday of this week. I agree with the previous posters. Before leaving, I emailed Ben from Mayan Aqua Dive and set up three two-tank trips: Cancun, Cenotes, and Cozumel. I could not have been more impressed. At first I was a little concerned that everything was through email and there weren't specific times for each of the dives, and so on (I'm new to dive travel), but Ben called me at the hotel on the first day and they picked me up right on time each day after that.
The first trip was to the Cenotes. Jesus was the cave-certified instructor and was an excellent guide and diver. We went to Tajma-Ha Cenote which was incredible; Jesus had a knack for lighting up the caverns just right with his light, and pointing out interesting sites. He was concerned only about he safety and enjoyment of the divers. The ride down to the caverns was made a lot more interesting with his perspective on diving and the local culture.
The second dives were in the reefs off Cancun toward Isla Mujeres. While I can't disagree about going to Cozumel at least once during your trip, I would not have wanted to miss those reefs for anything. We saw two nurse sharks, a manta ray, enormous hermit crabs, and incredible massive schools of fish. The current was very strong, but Ulises (the divemaster) was really good about giving directions and helping negotiate the currents.
The third day, we went to Cozumel. Mayan Aqua Dive didn't do a Coz trip on Monday, but Ben seamlessly set up the trip with Manta Divers (with our knowledge and approval, of course). Alex from Manta was the instructor that went with us, in addition to the local divemaster in Cozumel. Both were excellent, very complete about safety, and ensured everyone on the boat (9 passengers plus crew) had a great time. We did a wall dive and then a shallower reef dive, both of which were about the most stress-free, easy dives I've ever done. Alex carried a video camera and two still cameras, and in just a few hours, delivered a great DVD and picture CD to the hotel to take home.
To top it all off, Ben followed up with an e-mail today asking how everything went. After reading positive and negative reviews about most dive shops in Cancun, I have to say that my experience with M.A.D. could not have gone any better.
I realize this is my first post, but please don't hold that against me. I got Ben's name and email from some posts in the SB archives, and I wanted to share my experiences with them as well.
Good luck and enjoy Cancun!
