Buying dive gear in Cozumel

[Fistgar]

I'm planning on getting a 3mm full wetsuit for my diving in Cozumel next month and am wondering if there are any dive shops in Cozumel that are recommended to buy gear at. I would buy it here at home (Denver Colorado) but the prices at the local dive shops are simply too expensive for my taste since they only carry the fancy name brands. I've looked online but I really like being able to try things on before I buy them and since I only dive a couple times a year, I'm really not interested in getting the "best of the best" but something that is affordable. The dive op that I have reserved with only offers 3mm shorties and after being stung a few times, I really prefer a full wet suit otherwise I'd just rent.

Recommendations? :goingdown:

 

[dlofting]

I'm not sure about wetsuits but I just paid $53 for a safety sausage in Cozumel that I can buy online for $13. No choice as I lost the one I took with me..... next time I'll bring a spare.

 

[MMM]

Scuba gear in Cozumel is more expensive overall than anything you would purchase at home from LDS or on line and selection may be very limited/not your size etc. etc.

Cozumel Scuba Repair is my favourite shop here on the island but they are WAAAAY back in the hood. A few weeks ago I bought a battery for my transmitter at Studio Blue's shop in El Centro. At $10 U.S., that isn't an extravagent purchase but they are $3 on line. When you need one, you need one! But I would onLy buy here what I need right this minute.

FWIW, I bought a new BARE 5 mm full wetsuit in Canada last year and brought it down with me in December. It was on sale at LDS.

 

[BRT]

I think Cozumel Scuba Repair has comparable prices to the USA. Pretty good selection and nice people too!

 

[cbm32]

I had my inflater repaired at Scuba Repair Cozumel and it was only $20 for complete service that was done over night so that I didnt miss any dives.

I didnt buy any gear from them, but I walked around and did some looking. Prices didnt look bad on the stuff I was looking at. They have their own line of wet suits and BC's and such.

Welcome to Cozumel Scuba Repair - fixing your underwater expirience since 1990!

I would also say that if you dont need it for thermal protection, you could just buy a cheap dive skin to wear under the rental shorty to protect you from stingy things in the water.

Also, if you are not going until next month you have plenty of time to jump online and get what you want that way before leaving. Ebay or leisure pro or any number of online retailers can ship it to you in plenty of time.

 

[dmoore19]

I'm planning on getting a 3mm full wetsuit for my diving in Cozumel next month and am wondering if there are any dive shops in Cozumel that are recommended to buy gear at. I would buy it here at home (Denver Colorado) but the prices at the local dive shops are simply too expensive for my taste since they only carry the fancy name brands. I've looked online but I really like being able to try things on before I buy them and since I only dive a couple times a year, I'm really not interested in getting the "best of the best" but something that is affordable. The dive op that I have reserved with only offers 3mm shorties and after being stung a few times, I really prefer a full wet suit otherwise I'd just rent.

Recommendations? :goingdown:

What brands have you looked at? What is too expensive for your taste?

 

[diverjen]

Hi fellow Denverite! You might try Flatirons Scuba. Very Recently, they had a bunch of 3/2 full and shorties on clearance that were much more reasonably priced than some of the other shops I frequent locally. Hubby picked up a Bare 3/2 full for ~$70. He was stoked. Plus I just really like those guys they are no pressure sales, but really helpful.

 

[kwinter]

Stuff is expensive to import into Mexico. So you should only buy stuff down there that they make down there. I recommend several brands of tequila.

 

[Darol]

Scuba.com Ocean Quest 3mil at $114 with free shipping.....

 

[ColoDale]

Not sure which dive shops in the Denver area you have tried but, as said, Flatirons in Broomfield is good. I've deleted their emails so I can't tell about any sales now. You could try Coral Key scuba on Wadsworth. New owners and seem to have a bigger gear selection. I haven't checked out their prices though - haven't had to buy anything. They are closed right now - whole shop went diving.
Quite a few shops in CO will price match internet prices though you will have to show them and grey market items aren't matched to my knowledge.

I think it is true that prices in Cozumel will be higher but there have been times when we have had a look at Prodive on Salas and 5th Avenida Sur and got really good deals on new name brand 3mm wetsuits and shorties. However the sales are hit and miss. Sometimes there is nothing.

Cozumel Scuba repair by reputation seems to be good. Our DM buys alot from them for his use. I have had only emergency reg repairs (right after service here) with them.