Chili Charters?

[elora_c]

I was wondering if anyone has experience with Chili Charters? I came across them recently while trying to find dive ops that offer a 3-tank trip. On paper, they seem pretty good: 3 tank dive trip, 8 divers max but on a larger (still fast) boat that has a head, lets you dive your air, picks up at the downtown pier, handles equipment overnight, etc. TripAdvisor seems to like them, but there is almost nothing on them in this forum. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MMM]

Some of the resident ladies in my yoga class dive with them and quite like them.

 

[lionfish-eater]

I can highly recommend them. Rene Mena and the Mena family (Donna and Blondie) run chilli charters. They have been in business in Coz for decades. Some of you long timers might remember their captain Chilango as well. They run a first class charter business that will cater to your needs for diving, snorkling, fishing, ciello trips, subwing, Sunday cruising, etc. This is a true family operation that treats their customers like family as well. Try contacting Rene for more info.

They have many boats depending on your needs. Snorkel Tours - Chili Charters - El Cielo

Blondie is a Coz native, Rene was born and raised on the island and Donna moved from Canada many years ago. Rene leads the dives and knows the reefs better than most because he has been diving them his entire life.

I am a long time Coz diver and a huge Aldora fan, but sometimes I dive with friends that use other ops so I get to mix it up a little bit. My last trip my son and I did two days with 3p's and two days with Rene and Chili Charters. We enjoyed both, and the review of 3ps vs aldora thread is accurate. Chili felt more like a private charter with a more relaxed approach. Rene is amazing at spotting the good stuff. I carry a big magnifying glass to see some of the critters he spots. Nudis, seahorses, lettuce slugs,etc. On one of our dives, I spotted a juvenile drum and showed it to one of the photographers. Rene hand signaled to me : two fingers, drumming motion and then pointed in a forward direction. About five minutes later he motioned to me to look under a ledge, and there were the two juvi drums.

They are active with the REEF org and lead fish ID counts all the time. One of their frequent divers leads the week trip sponsered by REEF. If you want to learn fish ID,or go on a dive with very experienced spotter, Tracy Griffin is leading the trip currently advertised in Alert diver.

If you want some fun, Rene has a pair of subwings. Water Sports Accessories & Toys For Boats - Subwing

You can dive and then combine a trip to Cielo for the afternoon.

Coz has some of the best dive ops and Chili Charters is one of them.

 

[keepdivin]

Downtown pickup?

What time?

What pier?

 

[elora_c]

I can highly recommend them. Rene Mena and the Mena family (Donna and Blondie) run chilli charters. They have been in business in Coz for decades... .

Thanks for the thorough response! I was a little leery as many of the reviews seem to be from cruisers (or other tourists) doing snorkel tours, and I wasn't sure how their scuba outfit would be. I'm really bad at spotting, and identifying, critters so I always like to tag along near DMs who point out things.

 

[elora_c]

They depart from the Aqua Safari pier downtown. According to their website, they have "Flexible departure time." Which seems to be in line with lionfish-eater's comment of "Chili felt more like a private charter with a more relaxed approach." Which not be the best fit for a single diver looking to maximize dives (which is what I am looking for).

 

[keepdivin]

Thanks for the info.
I'm also a solo diver this trip and staying in town for the second half of my trip. Still deciding who to dive with and what departure time I'm willing to deal with.