AUG 13 23: Second time using DWM. First last Apr for 15 dives including my first nite dive.
Experience level: Total 49 dives including the 16 from this trip.
Dive Operator -Dive with Martin - Reasons: dove with them my last visit in Apr, Safe and Reliable operation, equipment at no additional cost (except wet suits, dive computers and dive lites), small fast boats and they pick up at the Wyndham Pier. Usually the first boat to the dive sites. They were extremely easy to work with. Liked the idea of sending a check to pay for most of my dives before leaving the states. Cash only once in Cozumel. Paid about 75% upfront just in case some days where cancelled. Received back confirmation voucher and liability forms via email. Printed and had all filled out before leaving. Dropped them off and got fitted for BCD and confirm pickup time after arrival on the way to the Wyndham.
Note: I stayed at the Wyndham Sabor (separate review on this forum that includes everything except diving). On site dive op Sand Dollar charges $3 per day to use their pier for pickup. To offset this expense DWM paid my $2 per day marine park fee.
Equipment: Sealife DC1000 with SL 960 external strobe, Aeris XR1 dive computer, Henderson Neosport 3/2 jumpsuit, Tusa (Liberator mask Imprex snorkel full foot split fins) and Princeton Miniwave II, Tec 40 dive lite (had to replace this lite, lost on my first dive last Apr). Highly recommend having a small lite like the Tec 40 for day dives. Amazing how much more sealife you can spot looking under ledges and in dark places.
DIVE LOG
Day 1 Fri: Cozumel Airport Very smooth. Didnt get the red light. After picking up the rental car stopped by DVM shop to turn in my forms and get fitted for BCD. Pick up time 7:45 the next morning at the Wyndham pier. Partly cloudy and hot and humid.
Day 2 Sat: First Dive: Pick up time 7:50 am , Reef Palancar Cave, [WX: Sea State - Glass , Wind - Light , Sky - Sunny ], [Vis 70 ft , Max Depth - 83 ft, Max Temp at - 86 , Bottom Time 46 mins, Current - light ], [DM - Lacoro , Boat Captain - Bond, Number of Divers counting me - 7]. Ended with 900lbs. We stayed as group and the DM would check everyones air. He wanted to know when you reached 1000 lbs and no less than 800 you were sent to the surface. Saw 2 turtles, large grouper at a cleaning station and normal marine life.
Second Dive: Reef - Dalila, [Sea State - Calm, Wind - Light, Sky Partly Cloudy], [Vis 70 ft , Max Depth - 62 ft, Temp at Bottom 83- , Bottom Time 57 mins, Current 1 2 kts], Current made it real difficult to stay in one place trying to get photos. Ended with 800 lbs. Saw 2 turtles and 2 nurse sharks swimming. 1 large green moray (about 5 ft) but current and other divers kept me from getting a pic. Couple of lobsters and normal marine life. Drop off time 11:30 am,
Had Night dive schedule but canceled due to 2 divers opting out in the afternoon.
Day 3 Sun: First Dive: Pick up time 7:55 am, Reef Palancar Horseshoe, [Sea State - Calm , Wind - Light, Sky - Sunny], [Vis - 100 ft, Max Depth - 79 ft, Max Temp - 82 , Bottom Time 52 min, Current - light], [DM - David , Boat Captain - Antonio, Number of Divers counting me - 8]. Great safety brief. 1st person to hit 1000psi, David would ascent up to 25 ft and stay there until 500 psi is reach. Boat Capt had over a 50 ft line off stern of boat so everyone could hold onto and pull themselves to the boat to wait their turn. A lot easier than swimming to the boat. Had 2 fresh water pals one for cameras. I stayed about 15 ft above most divers wanted to get pics with bubbles rising. Ended with 900 PSI. Saw 1 turtle, lobster, crabs, 1 lion fish killed and fed to an anemone
Second Dive: Reef Caracolillo, [WX Sea State Slight Chop, Wind 5 mph, Sky Partly Cloudy], [Vis 100 ft , Max Depth - 66 ft, Temp at Bottom - 84 , Bottom Time 57 mins, Current 1 kt ], Ended with 900 PSI. Saw 2 turtles, eagle ray, scorpion fish string rays, 1 lion fish killed and feed to anemone, 3 file fish, 1 trumpet fish, arrow crap, a couple of schools of big eyed jacks, and lots of marine life. David scooped up the scorpion fish with his hand so everyone could get a great look. Current made it difficult to stay in one place when trying to take photos. Drop off time 11:15 am.
Experience level: Total 49 dives including the 16 from this trip.
Dive Operator -Dive with Martin - Reasons: dove with them my last visit in Apr, Safe and Reliable operation, equipment at no additional cost (except wet suits, dive computers and dive lites), small fast boats and they pick up at the Wyndham Pier. Usually the first boat to the dive sites. They were extremely easy to work with. Liked the idea of sending a check to pay for most of my dives before leaving the states. Cash only once in Cozumel. Paid about 75% upfront just in case some days where cancelled. Received back confirmation voucher and liability forms via email. Printed and had all filled out before leaving. Dropped them off and got fitted for BCD and confirm pickup time after arrival on the way to the Wyndham.
Note: I stayed at the Wyndham Sabor (separate review on this forum that includes everything except diving). On site dive op Sand Dollar charges $3 per day to use their pier for pickup. To offset this expense DWM paid my $2 per day marine park fee.
Equipment: Sealife DC1000 with SL 960 external strobe, Aeris XR1 dive computer, Henderson Neosport 3/2 jumpsuit, Tusa (Liberator mask Imprex snorkel full foot split fins) and Princeton Miniwave II, Tec 40 dive lite (had to replace this lite, lost on my first dive last Apr). Highly recommend having a small lite like the Tec 40 for day dives. Amazing how much more sealife you can spot looking under ledges and in dark places.
DIVE LOG
Day 1 Fri: Cozumel Airport Very smooth. Didnt get the red light. After picking up the rental car stopped by DVM shop to turn in my forms and get fitted for BCD. Pick up time 7:45 the next morning at the Wyndham pier. Partly cloudy and hot and humid.
Day 2 Sat: First Dive: Pick up time 7:50 am , Reef Palancar Cave, [WX: Sea State - Glass , Wind - Light , Sky - Sunny ], [Vis 70 ft , Max Depth - 83 ft, Max Temp at - 86 , Bottom Time 46 mins, Current - light ], [DM - Lacoro , Boat Captain - Bond, Number of Divers counting me - 7]. Ended with 900lbs. We stayed as group and the DM would check everyones air. He wanted to know when you reached 1000 lbs and no less than 800 you were sent to the surface. Saw 2 turtles, large grouper at a cleaning station and normal marine life.
Second Dive: Reef - Dalila, [Sea State - Calm, Wind - Light, Sky Partly Cloudy], [Vis 70 ft , Max Depth - 62 ft, Temp at Bottom 83- , Bottom Time 57 mins, Current 1 2 kts], Current made it real difficult to stay in one place trying to get photos. Ended with 800 lbs. Saw 2 turtles and 2 nurse sharks swimming. 1 large green moray (about 5 ft) but current and other divers kept me from getting a pic. Couple of lobsters and normal marine life. Drop off time 11:30 am,
Had Night dive schedule but canceled due to 2 divers opting out in the afternoon.
Day 3 Sun: First Dive: Pick up time 7:55 am, Reef Palancar Horseshoe, [Sea State - Calm , Wind - Light, Sky - Sunny], [Vis - 100 ft, Max Depth - 79 ft, Max Temp - 82 , Bottom Time 52 min, Current - light], [DM - David , Boat Captain - Antonio, Number of Divers counting me - 8]. Great safety brief. 1st person to hit 1000psi, David would ascent up to 25 ft and stay there until 500 psi is reach. Boat Capt had over a 50 ft line off stern of boat so everyone could hold onto and pull themselves to the boat to wait their turn. A lot easier than swimming to the boat. Had 2 fresh water pals one for cameras. I stayed about 15 ft above most divers wanted to get pics with bubbles rising. Ended with 900 PSI. Saw 1 turtle, lobster, crabs, 1 lion fish killed and fed to an anemone
Second Dive: Reef Caracolillo, [WX Sea State Slight Chop, Wind 5 mph, Sky Partly Cloudy], [Vis 100 ft , Max Depth - 66 ft, Temp at Bottom - 84 , Bottom Time 57 mins, Current 1 kt ], Ended with 900 PSI. Saw 2 turtles, eagle ray, scorpion fish string rays, 1 lion fish killed and feed to anemone, 3 file fish, 1 trumpet fish, arrow crap, a couple of schools of big eyed jacks, and lots of marine life. David scooped up the scorpion fish with his hand so everyone could get a great look. Current made it difficult to stay in one place when trying to take photos. Drop off time 11:15 am.