Akumal vs Puerto Aventuras Ocean Dive

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markwhit

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I am considering diving with Akumal Dive Adventures in Akumal or with Aquanauts in Puerto Aventuras. Which area has better ocean diving (where the reefs are in better shape and where there is more to see, etc). Thanks!
 
I don't know anything about diving out of Akumal, but my husband dove with Aquanauts and had a good time, and liked the boat and the people a lot.
 
Both shops are good choices. There is some overlap in sites dived out of Akumal and Aventuras, but also sites not dived out of both locations. Where are you staying and are you renting a car? If it's convenient, I'd do a few days with both and see as much as possible.

As far as reef health in that area, it's no secret that rapid development and lack of a marine park and no real control over marine activity from south or Puerto Morelos to Tulum have resulted in "water quality" issues and it is effecting the reef. There are some sites that are in pretty good shape with lots of fish and critters and decent looking coral. Other sites are dead and algae covered with few fish. Runs the gamut. Your opinion on the reefs here will really depend on your own past diving experience - where you've been, what you might be comparing it to, what you're expecting to see, etc.

Don't miss diving the cenotes. That's the real unique diving experience in the Riviera Maya.
 
The general consensus is that the diving is better in the areas north of Akumal unless you want to go all the way to Xcalak to the south. Aquanauts has a excellent reputation with the members of this board. One that I can verify from personal experience having had the pleasure of diving with Dennis in the past. You can send Dennis a PM - he is 'Pez de Diablo' on this board.
 
I was going to dive with Aquanauts in January, but I chickened out on catching a cab by myself and heading there. They don't do hotel pick ups anymore, and I would have had to take a 45min cab ride to meet them. I don't know, maybe too much overseas safety/counterterrorism training at work, but I sort of freaked out at the last minute (probably unnecessarily) at the thought of getting in a cab by myself (too many horror stories of single women getting in a cab in other countries). This said, Aquanauts was great in setting up what probably was going to be a great couple of days of diving. When I didn't show up, they called the hotel to make sure I was okay - it was genuine. Sure, I had to pay for the missed trip, but it was only fair since the boat was filled that day. I really wish I had not chickened out on the cab thing, and I'm booking with a dive shop that will pick me up at the hotel when I go next month, but I definitely thought the people at Aquanauts were caring. Maybe someday????
 
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I was going to dive with Aquanauts in January, but I chickened out on catching a cab by myself and heading there. They don't do hotel pick ups anymore, and I would have had to take a 45min cab ride to meet them. I don't know, maybe too much overseas safety/counterterrorism training at work, but I sort of freaked out at the last minute (probably unnecessarily) at the thought of getting in a cab by myself (too many horror stories of single women getting in a cab in other countries). This said, Aquanauts was great in setting up what probably was going to be a great couple of days of diving. When I didn't show up, they called the hotel to make sure I was okay - it was genuine. Sure, I had to pay for the missed trip, but it was only fair since the boat was filled that day. I really wish I had not chickened out on the cab thing, and I'm booking with a dive shop that will pick me up at the hotel when I go next month, but I definitely thought the people at Aquanauts were caring. Maybe someday????
I've been traveling to this area of Mexico for years and have even done solo trips. There is nothing to be afraid of with getting a cab alone. Just make sure you know in advance how much your trips should be and then ask the driver BEFORE getting in the car. If for whatever reason you don't want to cab it alone, you could always take a collectivo. They run up and down Hwy 307.
 
Flygirl
I travelled, lived and worked 2 years in Mexico when I was younger, always solo. I'm a blonde female so don't quite blend in the local population. Yet I never had a problem.

Sure, if you get out of your hotel, as a single female you WILL get catcalls and guys will come up and chitchat you, especially in the touristy areas. No reason to freak out, they can be blunt (which IMO makes it easier to say no to their proposals) but it's just words. They won't touch you or anything. I've be "chitchatted" by men of all ages, single or happily married, I may be wrong but I think it's really just words in many cases and that they would have freaked out had I said yes. Wear a long skirt and long sleeved shirt, ignore them or politely say no, and they'll leave you alone.
It can be annoying at first, but after a while you won't even notice it... until you go back home and start missing the compliments and the attention ;)

Only problem I had with taxi drivers there was the fare issue. Have it sorted out before getting in, as Scubawife said. A 45 minute drive is not cheap !

Great advice on the collectivo. It's usually a small van (VW van) that carries 8 or more passengers. Dirt cheap and allows you to ride both with locals and other travellers. You're far more likely to meet women there among the passengers, as I have yet to see a female Mexican cab driver. The only issue is if you have back problems, as the suspensions are not great and the roads often bumpy.

Forget about any sort of terrorist threat. There are military checkpoints all over Quintana Roo, the area is safe.

Hope you enjoy your trip.
 
The general consensus is that the diving is better in the areas north of Akumal unless you want to go all the way to Xcalak to the south. Aquanauts has a excellent reputation with the members of this board. One that I can verify from personal experience having had the pleasure of diving with Dennis in the past. You can send Dennis a PM - he is 'Pez de Diablo' on this board.
Not sure who this consensus was formed by!
I have done about 40 dives in Puerto Aventuras with Aquanauts a few years ago, definitely they are reputable and a good team. I personally find it a bit dull although of course there are no bad dives any where:-).
Playa has some good diving, I've done about 30 there but too many boats out for my liking. Many of the sites are pretty flat and lots of current so you can't stop to have a look at anything, especially with a divemaster banging on his tank :-)
I don't like the crowds in Cozumel and the boat traffic noise although the diving is super.
I have also been diving off Soliman, Tankah and Tulum area reefs extensively, i.e. more than 50 dives, and enjoy it at least equally to further north. Lots of structure and some sites have very nice healthy corals along with all the usual critters. Almost no currents and no boats around also makes a big difference to me because I like nice slow dives when I can poke around for interesting small critters.
To my view Xcalak is far and away the best in the region for me. The problem is getting there and staying there is a bit difficult and expensive and the bugs down there are downright fierce, still I went down there twice and had some really memorable dives.
2 cents please :-)
 

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