Choosing the Best Dive Sites

[rgbfoundry]

It's getting very close to our May trip to Coz, and I need to choose a dive shop and dive sites!! This is probably a case where fewer options would speed up my decisions. Cozumel just has so much to offer.

Trip Dates: May 24th - June 1st
Diving Skill: Open Water. Comfortable with currents, but prefer dives 30ft. or shallower.

Problem: Can only dive two or three days during my entire stay.
Problem 2: My wife has problems equalizing, so we need to keep shallow, or even snorkel.

Request: Small groups on fast boats so our "shallowness" doesn't affect other divers or the guide. Maybe even scuba on a snorkel site as long as it's not too shallow for diving.

That's what I'm up against. I hope the ScubaBoard can kick in some recommended dive sites or dive operations. Alison? Do you have any availability during those days? Problems with the limitations?

Thanks in advance for anyone's help or suggestions.

 

[Moodiejeff]

It's getting very close to our May trip to Coz, and I need to choose a dive shop and dive sites!! This is probably a case where fewer options would speed up my decisions. Cozumel just has so much to offer.

Trip Dates: May 24th - June 1st
Diving Skill: Open Water. Comfortable with currents, but prefer dives 30ft. or shallower.

Problem: Can only dive two or three days during my entire stay.
Problem 2: My wife has problems equalizing, so we need to keep shallow, or even snorkel.

Request: Small groups on fast boats so our "shallowness" doesn't affect other divers or the guide. Maybe even scuba on a snorkel site as long as it's not too shallow for diving.

That's what I'm up against. I hope the ScubaBoard can kick in some recommended dive sites or dive operations. Alison? Do you have any availability during those days? Problems with the limitations?

Thanks in advance for anyone's help or suggestions.

You're going to have to jump on this pretty quick, a lot of the smaller ops are going to be booked already. Out of the smaller ones your best bet will be
Bottom Time Divers . He's just striking out on his own and you may get lucky and be the only 2 on the boat.

Or you can look into a dive op that specializes in Scuba & Snorkel trips... I don't know of any though.

Last year I had horrible problems equalizing for whatever reason - went to an ENT and he prescribed Nasonex for me... let me tell you, it was a godsend! I didn't have ANY problems this past trip, was the 1st one down with no nose pinching or blowing, all I had to do was swallow. You may want to consider looking into that for the wife.

 

[Hooked4Life]

You're going to have to jump on this pretty quick, a lot of the smaller ops are going to be booked already. Out of the smaller ones your best bet will be
Bottom Time Divers . He's just striking out on his own and you may get lucky and be the only 2 on the boat.

Or you can look into a dive op that specializes in Scuba & Snorkel trips... I don't know of any though.

Last year I had horrible problems equalizing for whatever reason - went to an ENT and he prescribed Nasonex for me... let me tell you, it was a godsend! I didn't have ANY problems this past trip, was the 1st one down with no nose pinching or blowing, all I had to do was swallow. You may want to consider looking into that for the wife.

RGB:

There are so many dive ops to choose from. I personally did a lot of searches on the forums until I made sure I was comfortable selecting one. In your case you want to make sure your wife has a good time diving. I would first reach out to the dive op and let them know your concerns ahead of time. Secondly I personally use Sudafed 24 hrs over the counter. It keeps me clear all day and the humidity when we were in cozumel in March was pretty bad sometimes. I have used Nasonex and it also does help. My girlfriend normally has problems equalizing and she had no problems at all.

Have a safe and enjyable trip.

 

[Rondo]

From my experience,the most difficult equalization area is between 20-30 ft.,if that is your reasoning for shallow dives,deeper isn't harder for equalization.

From the sound of it you may find your most enjoyable dives < 30ft. from the shore,most boat dives will be ~50ft. min..Several hotels have beach diving for the price of a $6 tank.