We were there last year and we're going back in December (taking friends with us this trip). Not good that your boat left you. We'd heard of that happening, but the shop we used was really great, very attentive, and didn't leave anyone. (And we tipped when we paid up after our last dive.) How did you get so scratched up on the reef? 10 ocean dives and none of our group of 6 had any problems.
There are great packages to stay at Vista del Mar (condos on Half Moon Bay) and dive with Akumal Dive Adventures (their shop, right next door). You get 15% off on the accommodations and 10% off on your dives. We did Dos Ojos and Bat Cave cenotes with Hidden Worlds.
The diving in Akumal doesn't compare to Coz, but it's nice, easy drift dives, 50-80ft, on healthy reefs with a good amount of tropicals and big stuff to see. In 4 days last Dec we say 3 rays, 7 baraccuda, 4 turtles, 2 huge moray, a couple nurse sharks. There were lots of angels, parrot fish etc., too. The fish seemed larger and more oblivious to divers then most places.
It's very laid back, no nightlife to speak of. About 6 or 7 restaurants, 2 beach bars, maybe 5 shops, a small grocery and 3 convenience stores. From our condo to "town" (Akumal Bay) it was about a 15 min walk. But, you're about 25 min drive from either Playa del Carmen or Tulum so you can take a short drive for more restaurants, shops and nightlife (in PDC).
