Aldora Divers

[Charred]

I've never seen anyone ever ask to go to high current sites. And even if you do, it could be calm. Hell, the whole week could be calm. I am not sure asking for high current sites is a reasonable request similar to saying I want to see a turtle on every dive. You would get laughed at if you came on here and complained you asked for a turtle on each dive and didnt get one.

Experienced divers don't really seek out high current just because they can handle it. Most seek calm sites and if they know a site is ripping they would vote against it.

I think this is a case of mismatched expectations. If you were demanding high current sites you probably just confused the operator.

 

[boulderjohn]

I've never seen anyone ever ask to go to high current sites. And even if you do, it could be calm. Hell, the whole week could be calm.

My first few years of diving were all in Cozumel, and as my skills grew, so did my desire to dive Barracuda Reef. I couldn't, though. The dive operators I was using would not go there. They told me the currents were too strong.

I found a dive operator that would take me there (Aldora), and I finally got to see it. There was no current at all! We swam around in whatever direction we felt like as we explored that beautiful reef. The next time I went there, the current was absolutely ripping, and it did take a lot of diving skill to keep from being swept off the reef.

 

[bradStyle]

I ended up diving Cedral 6 times and Yucab 5times.

The fastest current I've ever experienced in the southern dive sites was at Cedral, but I know these things are hit or miss. Sorry it didn't give you the boost you were looking for. I certainly didn't find anything in Raja to exceed what I've experienced in Cozumel. I will envy you that trip!

 

[ggunn]

The fastest current I've ever experienced in the southern dive sites was at Cedral...

Yo Tambien. One day at Cedral we got in at the southern end, blew completely though all of Cedral and Santa Rosa, and got out at the north end of San Fransisco.

 

[boulderjohn]

The fastest current I've ever experienced in the southern dive sites was at Cedral,

I have had dives there during which this line from a poem kept going through my head: "As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly...."

 

[ggunn]

I have had dives there during which this line from a poem kept going through my head: "As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly...."

One thing that stands out in my memory is the sandy area between the "canyon" and "mountain" sections of Cedral. That day (post #155) there was so much white sand entrained by the current it was like being in a blizzard.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

One thing that stands out in my memory is the sandy area between the "canyon" and "mountain" sections of Cedral. That day (post #155) there was so much white sand entrained by the current it was like being in a blizzard.

As Gordon described Cedral, I had one group I led there and we covered 4 reefs. When we came to the surface I just said to the group "Well we did not see much…but we saw a lot of it!"

 

[apuleyo]

Happy New Year!

My wife and I are planning to spend a good week of diving in Cozumel in a couple of months. My first choice is Aldora, and I have some questions.

As background, we are both experienced divers (I am a GUE cave diver) and we both dive a long hose BP/W configuration, leg pockets, etc. Diving is our passion but we are very serious about where and who we dive with.

1. How is the level assessed for arranging the boat groups and allowing dives at the more challenging spots (e.g. Barracuda reef)? a)Number of dives? b)Gas consumption? c) Overall diving performance + Awareness/Teamdiving in a check dive?

2. I am a bit paranoid with our own equipment to the point that I strongly prefer that nobody else except us manipulates our gear. We are used to personally analyze the gas and set our equipment up in the morning, change our tanks, and rinse everything up at the end of the day, all by ourselves. Would this be possible in Aldora?

First-hand responses from @Memo Mendoza or @Dave Dillehay would be extremely appreciated.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Snoweman]

Happy New Year!

My wife and I are planning to spend a good week of diving in Cozumel in a couple of months. My first choice is Aldora, and I have some questions.

As background, we are both experienced divers (I am a GUE cave diver) and we both dive a long hose BP/W configuration, leg pockets, etc. Diving is our passion but we are very serious about where and who we dive with.

1. How is the level assessed for arranging the boat groups and allowing dives at the more challenging spots (e.g. Barracuda reef)? a)Number of dives? b)Gas consumption? c) Overall diving performance + Awareness/Teamdiving in a check dive?

2. I am a bit paranoid with our own equipment to the point that I strongly prefer that nobody else except us manipulates our gear. We are used to personally analyze the gas and set our equipment up in the morning, change our tanks, and rinse everything up at the end of the day, all by ourselves. Would this be possible in Aldora?

First-hand responses from @Memo Mendoza or @Dave Dillehay would be extremely appreciated.

Many thanks in advance!

Handling your own gear is allowed at all of the dive operators I have used in Coz. You will be missing out on the concierge experience, though. I also wouldn't tip any less because of it, but that's me.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @apuleyo

I would suggest contacting Aldora directly to ask your questions and share your concerns.

Several years ago, my son and I did a week diving with Aldora. I communicated with Aldora before our visit and again when we checked into the shop. We were on a boat with a very experienced couple for the entire week, just the four of us. We took advantage of Aldora taking care of our equipment between days of diving but checked over our gear every morning before diving. One of the best land-based operators I have used. Best of luck for your trip.