Anyone Actually Dive the East Side?

[DiverMo]

I see that there are starting to be some dive ops that are starting to regularly make trips to the windward side for diving. Has anybody here been on one yet? What was the same or different? Just kind of curious what's "over there".

 

[Christi]

Aldora is the only shop that currently offers trips over there.

It's not nearly as spectacular as the "normal" side. It's sometimes an option when the port is closed. Healthy reef in some parts but it's more hype than anything else. People assume since it's not a regular thing to dive over there that it must be "highly advanced" or something special. There's a reason the diving is predominently on the west and south sides of the island...because that's where the best diving is...no secrets.

Some people like to brag that they've been over there, implying that is something special and "highly advanced" but the truth is that it's more like diving Playa del Carmen (although a little healthier) with strong currents at times.

 

[scubawife]

I wouldn't go nuts or pay additional trying to make arrangements to dive the east side of Cozumel, but, if you get conditions that are good to make it around the point and the dive op you are with suggests it, I would do it. It was nice to see something different and there is a bit of a sense of adventure about diving an area in Cozumel where you aren't seeing several other dive boats.

We did El Islote and then for the second site we just cruised around until something looked like it could be good. The DM jumped in and checked it out and that was our next dive site. This was not long after Wilma and it was great to see so much lush reef with lots of soft corals, sponges and fans.

This area is not part of the marine park so fisherman do come here. You won't see the abundance and variety of marine life that you find in the park. There is a good chance that you'll see some of the larger palegics and bigger fish.

The east side dives I've done were very similar to what I dive in Akumal on the mainland. One site also reminded me of the reef dives off the east end of Grand Cayman.

 

[marcus8]

We dove it one day last November when the ports were closed on the regular side. Damn Norte! But it was interesting to see. The sites we hit were not named but went out of Chen Rio and dove just south of that off a fishing boat. My impressions were....lots of fans which was nice to see, fewer fish though the splendid toad was everywhere over there, much more sand covered coral, some nice reef structures to swim around and through. I would never choose it over the west side but hey, if the port is closed again, I'd jump in over on the East side in a heart beat. It was definitely worth it to make the trek over to Chen Rio just to dive when the weather wasn't cooperating.

Mark

 

[Sue Sue]

" Some people like to brag that they've been over there, implying that is something special and "highly advanced" but the truth is that it's more like diving Playa del Carmen (although a little healthier) with strong currents at times."

Christi, Do they really do deep dives on the east side???? And with that I will see you VERY soon. Looking forward to staying within my limits and diving the beautiful West side. 5 days and counting.. Sue

 

[DiverMo]

Alright, thanks guys. I'll keep all this in mind. Nothing to get all hot and bothered about, but if the choice comes down to a trip to the east side or NO diving, it could be a viable alternative. Hey, it is nice to have options!

 

[mississippidiver]

I've contacted Aldora Divers and they claim to have marked a recently uncovered Spanish Galleon on the east side via gps. I plan on taking that dive on my next trip to Cozumel.

 

[scubawife]

Alright, thanks guys. I'll keep all this in mind. Nothing to get all hot and bothered about, but if the choice comes down to a trip to the east side or NO diving, it could be a viable alternative. Hey, it is nice to have options!

If you have the opportunity to dive on the east side from a boat without incurring additional expenses, take it. I don't think it's something to do only if there is no other alternative for diving. I enjoyed the dives I did. The dive op I use doesn't charge extra for going north, far south, over to tortugas on the mainland side, or to the east side of Cozumel. If I get a chance to do it again I will. Dive ops don't do it often because getting around the point can be dicey and conditions over there can be a bit unpredictable. It's also a long trip from the Caleta.

It was really interesting to see how different the reef and topography is on one side of the island vs the other. The boat dives we did weren't inferior to the west side marine park dives. Just different. We were a long way offshore. I have no idea if the shore diving sites are any good.

 

[scubawife]

I've contacted Aldora Divers and they claim to have marked a recently uncovered Spanish Galleon on the east side via gps. I plan on taking that dive on my next trip to Cozumel.

And what are they planning to charge for that trip? I would wait to hear from other divers (not Aldora staff) and see some pics and decide if it was worth the effort.

 

[Sue Sue]

Just curious as to what the distance from shore is on the East Side for those who have been diving there? Just wondering. Sue