Best Place in Cozumel?

[Moodiejeff]

I cant recommend the hotel dive operator though, Scuba Du. It's a real cattle boat operation with big crowded boats, I've seen as many as 45 per boat, and short diving times.

45 per boat?... Not even close to being true. In fact, if you cut that number in half I bet it still isn't true.

They do have bigger boats but the dive groups are never more than 6 per DM. I will agree on the short dive times (unless you can get on their smaller boats). When I went out with them 3 years ago there were never more than 12 divers per boat. If you look around at the online reviews you'll see that Scuba Du gets high marks for their operation.

I just came back from The Presidente (my 4th stay there)... I dove with Blue XT~Sea (2nd time), top notch all around.

I'll say it once again - The shore dive at Presidente is really good.... did a night shore dive and found myself face to face w/ a spotted eagle ray. I'd say he was no more than 5 ft. from us... He hung around for a while, watched us, then took off. Probably the coolest experience I've ever had while diving.

 

[Mawg]

45 per boat?... Not even close to being true. In fact, if you cut that number in half I bet it still isn't true.

They do have bigger boats but the dive groups are never more than 6 per DM. I will agree on the short dive times (unless you can get on their smaller boats). When I went out with them 3 years ago there were never more than 12 divers per boat. If you look around at the online reviews you'll see that Scuba Du gets high marks for their operation.

I just came back from The Presidente (my 4th stay there)... I dove with Blue XT~Sea (2nd time), top notch all around.

I'll say it once again - The shore dive at Presidente is really good.... did a night shore dive and found myself face to face w/ a spotted eagle ray. I'd say he was no more than 5 ft. from us... He hung around for a while, watched us, then took off. Probably the coolest experience I've ever had while diving.

" 45 per boat? ... Not even close to being true. In fact, if you cut that number in half, I'll bet it still isn't true."

I was there last May, Moodie, my 17th. stay at the Presidente and my 22nd trip to Cozumel. I was sitting there in front of the El Caribeno watching the divers load on this 50 foot , open dive boat. I counted them , 45, and crew, wearing Scuba Du shirts. Scuba Du also has 2 or 3 small boats that they use. I dont like either. I dove with SD in 1993 for the first and last time. 28 minute deep dives and 40 minute shallow dives at the same reefs over and over again wasn't what I was looking for. SD is fine for new divers or divers new to Cozumel. If you want to see more and learn more about Cozumel, you're gonna have to dive with other people. I have since tried 7 or 8 other operators and currently dive with Caribbean Divers and Careyitos. The island has so much to offer. Try scheduling a dive on the other side. I've done two, one with Simone Rossini and one a long time ago with Felipe Quinones, RIP. There, you'll see reefs that are almost pristine. Gives you a different perspective. I'll be there again in May and August. Cant wait to get back.

 

[5615mike]

El Presidente......stayed there several times. Very nice. Service is outstanding.

 

[ed3362]

I enjoy staying south of town since you have very short boat rides to the best dive spots. I would consider the 4 resorts down there in this order.
1. Occidental Grand
2. Iberostar
3. Allegro - Great for families and night shows
4. Reef Club - I am going there on March 3, and not to sure about it from what I here.
5 Presidente - A little farther north that what I would want for boat rides but great resort.