My husband and I are traveling to Cancun and Isla Holbox for our anniversary in August. We were planning on getting our dives done in Cancun and save the whale sharks for Holbox. I have noticed a lot of the dive operators out of Cancun also offer trips (although much more expensive) to Cozumel for a two tank dive day. So I am wondering, from you, the experts, if the diving in Cozumel is that different and better quality from Cancun that we should spend the extra money and time? Or would Cancun diving suffice? We don't plan on being blown away, we have been fortunate to dive Moorea and Fiji and some amazing places. We just want the best that the area has to offer (no wrecks or cenotes). Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Cancun vs. Cozumel
- Thread starter CuddleswithCuttlefish
- Start date
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ocdiver1
Contributor
Cozumel diving is better than Cancun, and accommodation and diving is probably going to be less expensive..and its just an hour or so south to Playa del Carmen then the ferry over to Cozumel. You could do the whale sharks in a (very long) day trip from Cozumel, but I'd say do the whale sharks from Cancun by spending a couple of days there at the beginning or end of your trip, and spend the rest of the time in Cozumel. I definitely would say its not worth it to do a day trip to Cozumel from Cancun. If you are just dead set on staying up around Cancun, think about staying on Isla Mujeres...closer both to the whale sharks and to the better dive sites in the region (Sleeping Shark Cave, etc.)
Fish-R-Man
Contributor
I also feel the diving is way better in Cozumel. Your on the leeward side of the island so the water clarity is almost always better. There is also a lot more diverse types of bottom and structure to dive on in Coz.
Mike
Contributor
The dive sites around Cancun are very mediocre compared to Cozumel, the reef systems and topography are totally different between the two. If you want the best of what's offered in the region of Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel, it's hands down without a doubt going to be over in Cozumel. I've dived all three places and there is no comparison, the diving in Cancun and Isla Mujeres will put you to sleep compared to Cozumel. The biggest dive attractions around Cancun and Isla Mujeres are the under water sculpture garden near Isla, a few wrecks and sleeping shark cave dive site east of Isla. Keep in mind sleeping shark cave is the biggest over hyped dive in the region. There are no sleeping sharks. You might stumble across a nurse shark under a ledge, but you can do that anywhere between the three areas we are talking about and the reef at that dive site is nothing any different then any of the others around Cancun or Isla. If all you want is some fun, average caribbean diving, it's near Cancun and Isla, you can have some nice little relaxing dives there, but if you want as you said the best of the region, it's across the channel at Cozumel because the diving there is consistently better, all drift diving, giant coral formations, walls, swim thrus, huge variety of fish life.... Isla, Cancun, Play Del Carmen, Akumal, Tulum are about vacationing, Cozumel is about diving.
There are a few dive sites outside of Cozumel that are very good for specific reasons, however they tend to be seasonal, and they are individual isolated sites. The bull shark dive at Playa Del Carmen, to see bull sharks. The gun boat dive near cancun to see squadrons of eagle rays (seasonal). Tortugas dive site near Playa Del Carmen to see a ton of sea turtles however isn't seasonal I believe. The one caveat about diving around Isla Mujeres is if you're diving the northern and eastern sites you're basically in open ocean and you have the chance of seeing mantas, dolphins, whale sharks, sharks etc... however it's only a chance, the opportunity is there, but the chances aren't something you could count on. You might dive the same dive site 10 times and never see anything but jacks and snapper, but that 11th dive you might run into a dolphin.
I'd also recommend second thinking seeing the whale sharks at Holbox. You're most likely going to be in low viz green waters. The operators from Isla Mujeres are going to take you out into blue water to see them with better viz. Some do pick ups at the port of Morajeles which is at the end of Cancun saving you a ferry ride over to Isla Mujeres.
There are a few dive sites outside of Cozumel that are very good for specific reasons, however they tend to be seasonal, and they are individual isolated sites. The bull shark dive at Playa Del Carmen, to see bull sharks. The gun boat dive near cancun to see squadrons of eagle rays (seasonal). Tortugas dive site near Playa Del Carmen to see a ton of sea turtles however isn't seasonal I believe. The one caveat about diving around Isla Mujeres is if you're diving the northern and eastern sites you're basically in open ocean and you have the chance of seeing mantas, dolphins, whale sharks, sharks etc... however it's only a chance, the opportunity is there, but the chances aren't something you could count on. You might dive the same dive site 10 times and never see anything but jacks and snapper, but that 11th dive you might run into a dolphin.
I'd also recommend second thinking seeing the whale sharks at Holbox. You're most likely going to be in low viz green waters. The operators from Isla Mujeres are going to take you out into blue water to see them with better viz. Some do pick ups at the port of Morajeles which is at the end of Cancun saving you a ferry ride over to Isla Mujeres.
It is well worth a day trip to Cozumel for a couple of dives.
Divemasterdennis
Divemasterdennis
OP
Thanks so much for the information. I think we are going to go ahead and book the Cozumel day trip for diving. We are in fact going to Isla Holbox for the whale sharks so I think these things together will be the best that the area has to offer. I am definitely hearing across the board that it is worth it to spend the extra bit of money and head over to Cozumel to dive. Thanks for the input! It really helped!
I would agree with what Mike said...very nice lay-out.
Coz is definately the best place to dive in the region...
I found Cancun to be too commercial and catering to the Party and Shopping Crowds. Coz also has plenty of "Resort Bars", Senior Frog's, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville's, etc. and shopping to choose from, just not the crowds (after the cruise ship people leave). If diving is a major player in your plans, then I would do a day trip to Cancun and stay on Cozumel. If Cancun is the major driver for your trip, then you might be disappointed with "just" a one day trip to Coz to go diving after seeing the reef in Cancun, then seeing the reef in Coz.
But then there is next time
Which ever way you decide, a day of diving is still better than a day at work.
Cheers,
~ME~
:bounce4::bounce2:
Coz is definately the best place to dive in the region...
I found Cancun to be too commercial and catering to the Party and Shopping Crowds. Coz also has plenty of "Resort Bars", Senior Frog's, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville's, etc. and shopping to choose from, just not the crowds (after the cruise ship people leave). If diving is a major player in your plans, then I would do a day trip to Cancun and stay on Cozumel. If Cancun is the major driver for your trip, then you might be disappointed with "just" a one day trip to Coz to go diving after seeing the reef in Cancun, then seeing the reef in Coz.
But then there is next time
Which ever way you decide, a day of diving is still better than a day at work.
Cheers,
~ME~
:bounce4::bounce2:
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