AI hotel and onsite dive op recommendation?

[jdevic]

oh no.....thats not good for us canadians. however, you can still go to coz if you want. you just need to put together your own travel plan. fly to cancun. ado bus to playa. ferry to coz (or you can fly). then reverse to get home. we have done that a few times. takes a bit of work planning though. but we almost never book charter packages.

playa is a great option though. we love it there. we usually split the trip between playa and coz. i have been to playa a number of times. shoot me a message if you need any input.

Westjet also cancelled all CZM flights till Jan 9. I was actually in Playa (AC AI) back in September, For 1 week tho, I'd probably save the hassle of ferry to CZM both ways. The Playa AC AI package is C$6xx a week at 4.5 star Blue Bay for 1px, almost as cheap as the flights alone.

 

[Charred]

Most of my experience in Cozumel (300 or so dives) has been mostly with Dressel. I like the short boat rides, relatively festive and less experienced diver base. It makes it fun.

I really like Iberostar. The food is good (and keeps improving it seems every time I go) and I like the vibe. My biggest complaint is the small rooms.

I'm headed out there in a few weeks, and chose not to dive with Dressel mostly due to distancing concerns. I'm working with a private operator with daily private trips for me and my dive group. But I did inquire about what they currently have to offer, i'll post here:

They do two tank dives every morning. Afternoon two tank dives are currently on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday just to P. Gardens and C. Shallows. I see no reference to nite dives at this time.

If you book 10 two tank dives (they can be split) it works out to be $33.60 per dive with Nitrox.

Historicaly speaking, the morning dives are limited to 60 minutes each and the afternoon dives are limited to 50 minutes. Max depth is 100 feet and you are to stay with your assigned guide.

I'll echo all of the above. I love the Iberostar and Dressel is good enough. I've dove with the ops in town and stayed in town. Yes I can dive a 70 min dive with the other ops but I'm not going to cry over the difference. Often if you are in the more experienced groups the DM calls the dive at 60 and then start your SS. So its a 60 min effective dive stretching out to 65.

After all, everyone dives the same reefs. If you are experienced you don't need the DM so own your dive and make it a good one. Tell the DM right up front you are not playing follow the leader but will be in visual distance at all times. And tip the DM for leaving you alone

The best part of Iberostar is doing the 3 tank day. Two tanks in the morning, lunch, single tank after lunch and you are in the pool 5 mins after the boat docks heading over the swim up bar. There is not a boutique dive op that can offer that

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

The best part of Iberostar is doing the 3 tank day. Two tanks in the morning, lunch, single tank after lunch and you are in the pool 5 mins after the boat docks heading over the swim up bar. There is not a boutique dive op that can offer that

It's also worth pointing out that you will always come back to the property to do your surface interval between dives.

Just walk off the boat, walk a few feet to the bar and grab a few sodas... or a few more feet for a snack. Its pretty darn nice.

 

[jdevic]

It's also worth pointing out that you will always come back to the property to do your surface interval between dives.

Just walk off the boat, walk a few feet to the bar and grab a few sodas... or a few more feet for a snack. Its pretty darn nice.

Darn, I am so pissed at Air Canada right now - was planning to fly down on Nov 19. I guess I will do Playa instead and maybe go back to Coz for Xmas.

 

[mcohen1021]

I've stayed at the allegro 2x. 1st time food was decent because it was all a-la-carte when the resort was empty. The 2nd time the food was not fit for human consumption... I have stayed at Secrets once bc my sister told me "how awesome" it was and I hated it. Not diver centric - no rinse tanks, no dive lockers and big cattle boats.

My .02 cents - get a condo, cook your bfast and lunches, then hit town for dinners. And you'd be much happier on a smaller boat with a smaller group with Dive With Martin. I would dive with them if I didnt have a few DM buddies on the island.

 

[27Words]

Most of my experience in Cozumel (300 or so dives) has been mostly with Dressel. I like the short boat rides, relatively festive and less experienced diver base. It makes it fun.

I really like Iberostar. The food is good (and keeps improving it seems every time I go) and I like the vibe. My biggest complaint is the small rooms.

I'm headed out there in a few weeks, and chose not to dive with Dressel mostly due to distancing concerns. I'm working with a private operator with daily private trips for me and my dive group. But I did inquire about what they currently have to offer, i'll post here:

They do two tank dives every morning. Afternoon two tank dives are currently on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday just to P. Gardens and C. Shallows. I see no reference to nite dives at this time.

If you book 10 two tank dives (they can be split) it works out to be $33.60 per dive with Nitrox.

Historicaly speaking, the morning dives are limited to 60 minutes each and the afternoon dives are limited to 50 minutes. Max depth is 100 feet and you are to stay with your assigned guide.

I am sorry if this is a stupid question, but I am relatively new to diving with only 8 dives under my belt, but when you mention two tank dives, are you referring to twin tanks? Or two separate dives?

 

[Charred]

I am sorry if this is a stupid question, but I am relatively new to diving with only 8 dives under my belt, but when you mention two tank dives, are you referring to twin tanks? Or two separate dives?

A 2 tank dive is a dive, followed by 1 hour surface interval, then another dive. The OP will put 2 tanks on the boat for each diver.

Almost all diving at Cozumel is a 2 tank dive.

 

[Manatee Diver]

The OP will put 2 tanks on the boat for each diver.

That depends, the onsite ops at the southern AI resorts will often head back to the dock to switch out tanks. Particularly during the busy months.

 

[rick00001967]

Westjet also cancelled all CZM flights till Jan 9.

bummer. my wife and i need to wait for the 2 weeks mandatory isolation to be lifted before we can go. hopefully soon. i haven't had any holiday time since before last christmas.

 

[ggunn]

I am sorry if this is a stupid question, but I am relatively new to diving with only 8 dives under my belt, but when you mention two tank dives, are you referring to twin tanks? Or two separate dives?

One tank at a time. You won't see Mike Nelson.