My diving so far has been in south Florida from Pompano down to Key Largo. I've got the itch for Cozumel and maybe Belize. How does the diving compare between these three locations? Is it worth the extra cost for transportatin to go out of the country?
Comparing dive sites
- Thread starter Garrobo
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Garrobo:
The water is very salty in either place.
If you've got that itch, you can undoubtedbly get something for it in Cozumel.
Real answer: Sure the transport costs are worth it... if your dive ability is comensurate with the expense.
Similar to skiing. The easy bunny runs the green runs are just fine to start out. You can glide along, look at the scenery and perfect your abilities. Would you care to go on the "expert" BLACK ski runs? Maybe so- you might even survive them, but what's the point?
A better example: You're learning to ski again. You see the Heli-Skiing. Hmmm, fly up a mountain and ski in deep powder from a helicopter. Is it worth the extra cost? You bet it is! But... can you enjoy it to its full worth versus cost?
Dive a bit. Dive a lot. Perfect your buoyancy and log a lot of inexpensive dives here in the USA. Then, when you're ready- and it won't be long... pack your bags!
Charlie99
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The fish, sponges, gorgonians, etc. in Cozumel aren't all that different than what you've seen in Florida.
OTOH, the reef structure itself in Cozumel is awesome. Not just a bit of 15' high coral reef here and there, but massive formations and walls with swimthroughs.
Definitely worth going.
OTOH, the reef structure itself in Cozumel is awesome. Not just a bit of 15' high coral reef here and there, but massive formations and walls with swimthroughs.
Definitely worth going.
Our first dive trip, a month after certifying in a hot spring in the middle of nowhere, USA, was to Cozumel. The diving was not overwhelming or overly challenging in its difficulty, and the life and topography below was stunning. We figured out drift diving by the second tank. We did swim-throughs at 80-some feet. If you're comfortable with your skills and can follow a divemaster's directions, I say go for Cozumel (which I personally would rate way above Belize, unless you do some pricey atoll dives like Turneffe, Glover's, Lighthouse, etc.). Why wait?
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highdesert:
How can one know if you are comfortable with skills which you have not yet learned?
Getting out of the water after a drift dive and having a beer does not equate to mastery of drift diving. Simple things come to mind such as surface rescue & recovery skills, being able to shoot a sausage from depth and do a 15' stop while awaiting pick-up and on and on.
Learn your skills where it's cheap and easy.
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