All inclusive resorts with shore diving in Cozumel

[wsr523]

Thanks for all the info. I'm sure we are going to have a great time no mater where we end up staying.

 

[imoto]

I remember diving the plane while on a cruise in 1988. I found two others from the ship and we did a shore dive there. I never knew the origin of the plane. I assumed at the time it was from the James Bond movie, Thunderbolt.

Thanks for the history.

 

[jonhall]

From my book, The True History of Cozumel (available on Amazon.com):

“In 1976, Cardona Jr. had just finished his film Survive, filmed in the mountains near Mexico City. He went on to film El triángulo diabólico de las Bermudas in Cozumel with John Huston and Carol Baker playing bit parts in January of 1977. He filmed Cyclone on the island a month later; the movie was not named Survive II, as reported by many websites and guidebooks.

Cardona Jr. bought the old hulk of the twin-engine plane used in the movie Cyclone from the government of Cozumel, filled it with Styrofoam, and dragged it from the Cozumel airport to the water. From there the plane was towed to a spot offshore in front of La Ceiba Hotel and sunk. This plane was a popular dive spot until Hurricanes Gilbert and Wilma strew its parts all over the seafloor.”

Fantastic history lesson! Thanks!

 

[ggunn]

Thanks for all the info. I'm sure we are going to have a great time no mater where we end up staying.

That's the truth!

 

[ReefHound]

Anyone know the history of the small plane that's off Hotel Barracuda, lying at the southwest corner of the Margaritaville play area?

 

[Brules]

Plane was in good shape after Gilbert. I dove it in the 90's and it was still in one piece and upright.

Before Wilma trashed it, it was flipped over and damaged by a cruise ship that got loose in a norte leaving port. They went full speed on the side thrusters and it was flipped over.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

The Villa Aldora is an interesting alternative to AI. Most rooms have full kitchens (or at least kitchenettes) which are used mainly for breakfasts, snacks and beer storage. (First thing on check in is a trip to the supermarket.) Aldora's surface intervals are at a beach day club where lunch can be purchased at reasonable prices. That just leaves dinner and you would be a short trek to town, or even use the free bicycles we offer.

We always have tanks there (mostly tiny HP 80s) and the wall off our beach is easy access and covered with all kinds of neat stuff. Only catches that you must be diving with Aldora—which may not be such a negative.

Dave Dillehay

Aldora Divers

 

[ReefHound]

The problem I have with having a kitchen is I make a trip to the market and stock up then on the last day I'm thinking holy crap look at all this remaining food! I'm always leaving behind an array of unopened boxes and cans. I hope it's going home with housekeeping or something and not getting trashed.

 

[blue steal]

Blue angel although not AI does offer breakfast. The grounds are nice and the shore diving is very convient.
They offer lunch, happy hour, and dinner in their restaurant.
When I used to stay there I would shore dive every afternoon or evening, just grab a tank and go.
Also enjoyed their kayaks and hammocks.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

The problem I have with having a kitchen is I make a trip to the market and stock up then on the last day I'm thinking holy crap look at all this remaining food! I'm always leaving behind an array of unopened boxes and cans. I hope it's going home with housekeeping or something and not getting trashed.

Yes, Juanita and Felli call it "shopping" when the clean vacated rooms! But not everyone leaves much.


Dave Dillehay

Aldora Divers