AOW in the Yucatan: Yea or nay

[John Kuntz]

Opinions wanted.

I'll be visiting the yucatan in a couple of months, and I am debating whether I should get AOW before going.

Will I be missing out on a lot without it? Any can't miss dives that I'll miss? Or is there more than enough great things to see with just OW?

 

[boulderjohn]

You can get your AOW in the Yucatan.

The AOW is 5 dives, including deep and navigation. You would be doing 5 dives anyway--if you take the AOW, you will do those dives with an instructor who is teaching you something while you do them.

 

[northernone]

Lots to see OW only. But if possible I'd recommend getting more experience to prepare for the possibility of drift diving in cozumel. Will you be visiting the cavern zones of the cenotes as well?

When you book your diving you can ask the various operators what prerequisites they have on their dives.

 

[John Kuntz]

I am fairly experienced with 40+ dives, just haven't taken the AOW plunge. Using the time there to get the cert isn't really feasible as my wife will be doing some of the easier dives, while I take time separately to do more advanced ones. For example, I am very interested in cenote diving, she is not. I have the opportunity to get AOW in a couple of weeks, just don't want to drop the money on it if it won't make much difference in my experience there.

 

[Streydog]

I am only OW and have been diving in Cozumel quite a bit over the last 2.5 years. I don't think the advanced card means much in Cozumel, your first dive with a shop will determine where they are willing to take you. I can't speak for the rest of the Yucatan though. I am considering taking AOW soon locally though. Got my first taste of low visibility diving and got me thinking of how taking AOW in low visibility would help me quite a bit.

 

[Jeffrey A. Cogan]

I am fairly experienced with 40+ dives, just haven't taken the AOW plunge. Using the time there to get the cert isn't really feasible as my wife will be doing some of the easier dives, while I take time separately to do more advanced ones. For example, I am very interested in cenote diving, she is not. I have the opportunity to get AOW in a couple of weeks, just don't want to drop the money on it if it won't make much difference in my experience there.

I got my AOW in Cozumel, navigation, wreck, night, deep, forgot what else. I was the only student. Night was a little disappointing as it was a shore dive, but first time did a shore dive, so that was good.

 

[ibj40]

Opinions wanted.

I'll be visiting the yucatan in a couple of months, and I am debating whether I should get AOW before going.

Will I be missing out on a lot without it? Any can't miss dives that I'll miss? Or is there more than enough great things to see with just OW?

Have you decided on your specific destination in the Yucatan?

Answers and recommendations may vary.