Hi all! I'm researching dive shops in downtown Cozumel (or dive shops that offer pick ups in downtown) and came across Barefoot dive center. I haven't seen a lot of info on this particular dive ops here, anyone has dove or done AOW training with them before? What was the experience like? Do you recommend this shop? Thanks!
Barefoot dive center?
- Thread starter happyblue
- Start date
Please register or login
Rob9876
Contributor
Believe I've walked past their shop a number of times, but never heard of anyone using them. However, from a quick search it looks like they've been around a number of years and have good reviews.
Other dive shops with downtown pickup: we usually use Tres Pelicanos, and they are great (a number of folks on ScubaBoard use them). I believe Salty Endeavors also picks up downtown, and they are also liked by a number of people on ScubaBoard.
Other dive shops with downtown pickup: we usually use Tres Pelicanos, and they are great (a number of folks on ScubaBoard use them). I believe Salty Endeavors also picks up downtown, and they are also liked by a number of people on ScubaBoard.
mediumone
Contributor
Blue Magic checks all of our boxes.
Thank you, this is super helpful! I have another question, is it true that downtown shops don't usually go to the dive sites in the south? And are dive sites in the south much better than the ones near downtown? I'm trying to see if it's worth renting a car and drive down to shops in the south for dives. Thanks!!
Rob9876
Contributor
No, pretty much everyone goes south of town, as most sites north of town are considered somewhat advanced and most dive ops need to see your dive skills a day or more before going up there. North of town is rare for a majority of shops, though more likely during prime eagle ray season (around January).
However, I believe there are some dive ops (especially those at resorts north of town) who may not go as far south on a regular basis as those dive ops whose boats are kept farther south. This might also apply to dive ops trying to save gas or be quicker to cater to cruise schedules.
The ones I mentioned will go to the good southern sites (and I'm guessing Blue Magic will too).
But to answer your other question: to me all of the boat dive sites are still pretty dang good. Just some in different ways than others. For example: the swim throughs of Columbia Deep and similar sites are a very cool experience, but often I see a more interesting variety of critters on more shallow dives. I've enjoyed every dive there.
Rob9876
Contributor
nodakdive
Contributor
To the OP with regard to this map, you can pretty clearly see "downtown". The road that cuts across the island leads, basically, right to the center of it.
The marina is right where Paradise Reef is. (Paraiso). If you look south, you'll see Palancar reef. Almost every shop is going to take you on a Palancar dive, sooner or later, probably sooner. It's kind of a "sweet spot" of Cozumel diving. There are 4 different Palancar sites.
Most shops, the shop I use now included, will get you from downtown to the marina if you meet at their shop. Cost is covered, of course. Deep Blue used to leave from downtown and pick-up anywhere south, but as of 2022 anyhow, they'll get you to the marina if you're staying downtown or anywhere north, or they will pick you up at your hotel dock anywhere south of "downtown".
Fwiw, Colombia, Punta Sur, Chun Chakaab, Maracaibo are far, far south, but are dived regularly by many shops. They're considered somewhat advanced dives.
Short story, no need to drive anywhere. Inquire with the shop about their procedure.
Similar threads
