Cancun trip Resort Decision

[jim2386]

We're working on a trip coming up in march and was wondering if anyone has stayed at the Grand Sirenis ( Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach Riviera Maya - All Inclusive - Cancun) and what they thought of it. Are there any good dive operations near by? Can you get a dive boat to take you over towards cozumel? I want to make sure before I book it that they have a reputable dive shop or shops near by. Thanks for any info you can give!

-Jim

 

[Spratman]

If you haven't book a resort yet, check pricing with allen@britsincancun.com. He usually has some awesome deals at very reasonable prices.

Dive ops? Contact Ben@mayanaquadive.com. Best shop in Cancun, awesome boat and staff, no junk reef dives, located on the beach at the Hotel Internationale KM 4.5. Also provides pick up and drop off at your hotel. Talk to him about cenotes....you HAVE to do at least one!

Dive safe!

 

[av8er23]

Not to hijack your thread but rather adding to it. I am also looking at going to Cancun very soon (May) for a honeymoon. Jim, last November I flew into Cancun and took the bus down to Playa Del Carmen and the ferry over to Cozumel. It took around 1:30 hours total and I believe that it is about 18-20 bucks usd per person one way. I do not think there are any boats that go to Cozumel from Cancun. I was wondering how the diving in Cancun was compared to Cozumel. I understand that they do not have the walls and reefs that Cozumel has but is the vis similar? Is there life on the reefs that are in Cancun? Are the dives shallower?

We are looking at the “Excellence Playa Mujeres” and the “Riu Palace Las Americas”
Does anyone have any information to share?

Thanks

 

[Spratman]

Ben runs boat trips over to Coz. They reefs are good, eagle rays and lots of fish. It doesn't have the walls, as you said, but many people like diving in Cancun better. It is frankly quite under rated for diving, primarily because many of the operators dump you off on a dead reef and you never get to see some of the great marine life like Manchones Reef, just off Isla Mujeres.

As listed in my above post, check with Allen@Britsincancun.com. He's a retired Brit Army guy and that's how we met (american Army vet). He's got excellent deals on AI's and non-AI's. Check the Mexico forum out. Lots posted about Mayan Aqua Dive offers Cancun Diving, Snorkeling, Cavern Diving, Cozumel Dives & PADI Courses. You have got to do the cenotes though. Truly awesome!

 

[DeepDiver36]

I just dove with Ben's crew at Mayan Aqua Dive last week. Two thumbs up! Very professional and takes care of you. We stayed at the hotel just over from his dock and dive center. We just walked along the beach for a few minutes to get to him.

As far as the diving. We did the Cenotes the first day, Coz the second and Cancun the third. All were really cool and worth the effort to get there. With that said, plan on spending a long, tiring day to get to coz for two 35 min dives. It's about 1.5 hr drive, park and then walk with gear to ferry, check in bags, 35 minute ferry ride, get bags, walk to scuba store, do paperwork, taxi to dock and your off. Then do it all in reverse. It just made for a very long day. Great Reef and lots of fish.

Cenotes is obviously not as bad but again, plan on making it an all day thing. Cancun was a snap. To the dock and back in three or four hours. Plenty of time to either make more dives or do the tourist thing.

Either way, Ben was the man and took great care of us. His team was professional and SAFE. Their boat was in good shape and had all the necessary equipment. Before we even left, a dock master or someone from the hotel came and asked our names, hotel and room number. When we returned to the dock, he was waiting to greet us and make sure we were all accounted for. All four of us.

Not sure if you have dove there before but I have pictures or video from all the dives so please PM me and it may give you some insight to what you can expect.

Dive deep!

 

[av8er23]

Deep Diver do you have any pics? I have dove the Cenotes and Cozumel but never Cancun. How would you compare the diving in Cancun to Cozumel? From what I have been told the vis is about the same (100'+), but there are not as many reefs and walls in Cancun. What resort did you stay at?

 

[DeepDiver36]

Here is a link to so photos/video: Home

I have had this same conversation with others. IMHO, you can get the same degree of diving in Cancun as is Coz. I am sure many would disagree but I would much rather stay in Cancun and log more time under the water then driving in a van.

Let me know what you think of the photos/video. Not of great quality but it was my first time at trying this. My Cancun photos/video of the reef were lost when the wife tried to download them and she did not know what she was doing. Great reason to go back, eh?

 

[Spratman]

the video of the wreck was good, especially for your first go around. I bought an underwater enclosure for my A70 last year and after they sent me the correct one, it arrived at home the day I left. So, that'll be my first chance at underwater photos.

Well, Ben let me try his Oly last year, and I took (thought I did) about thirty really good pictures. I change the mode but it didn't engage. Man, Ben's girlfriend was pissed at me...hehe. None of the pictures I took of her feeding fishies turned out...

Any reason is a great reason to go back.

 

[av8er23]

Thanks for the info. The Cancun video looks like you guys had some pretty good vis. Pictures not too bad for the first time. It takes some getting used to. I have found that the manual whitebalance can be very helpful when trying to get the vibrant colors out of the reefs. We booked today and will be staying at "The Royal Cancun". We are very excited... I will try to post some pics after we return.

 

[Spratman]

I hope you have a great time and the weather is beautiful!