Cozumel Advice

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I believe the in-house dive op at Secrets is Dive Palancar. They do 4 single tank dives a day which gives you the option of just doing shallow dives (50 to 60 ft) until you feel you are ready for more. It is a large op with many dive masters so they can provide a private DM if you choose. They dive very much on the conservative side so shallow dives will typically only run around 45 minutes so you will not be causing any dive time problems.

Enjoy

 

[Carlos Danger]

+1 for Aldora, Just got back from a 5 day trip with them. I'm sure there are other ops that will compare it's just who I found. I would suggest that you tell them your concerns and be honest about your experience level and comfort level. They will keep you with groups of similar capabilities. I was very happy with the level of service and they helped build my skills and confidence. Will use them again.

Another vote for Aldora here! Great DMs, plus they dive steel 120cf tanks for longer bottom times.

 

[Christi]

As a beginner, one thing that has been suggested to me is to hire a private DM for my first day. I think almost any op can do this for you. The op I chose is aware that I am both a beginner, and a nervous one. She has said that she'll let me know based on the make-up of the boat (all more experienced divers, lots of beginners, etc) whether she would require me to hire a private DM.

Regardless of the experience of the other divers on the boat - if this is your first ocean dive it should not even be an option!

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Actually we fit the hi capacity tanks to the diver. Men usually get the HP 120s with 50% more air, and the ladies get the 100 cf tanks that are smaller than the aluminum 80s but still have 25% more air. More air is good. For the ver small framed women and children we have tiny HP 80s that actually have a little more air than the Aluminum 80s but weigh much less. But the key is, we fit the tank to the diver.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[cbm32]

Before Dave's post I was thinking, "if his stress is from worrying about making other divers come up because he sucked through all his air, all divers having 120's doesnt do anything at all to alter that". Now maybe Dave can adjust the tanks size for him so that he doesnt run out of air before the other divers with him having so many different size tanks at his disposal, but maybe not.

I have never dove with Aldora. I have dove with three different dive ops on Coz, and only one of the three let me dive my air and computer and that was Tres Pelicanos. The other two sent everyone to the surface after 45 to 50 minutes (even though other posters have claimed to be able to dive thier air and computer with those same dive ops).

 

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

Just noting that we have enjoyed our times with both Dive With Martin and Aldora--but they're very different operations, and with very different prices and styles (and levels of amenity). Aldora uses big tanks, so even new, heavy-breathing divers can probably get a fair bit of bottom time; most other operators can provide slightly bigger tanks upon request, if that appeals to you. We first dove with DWM when we were very new divers (and used them a few more times later), and we've only been with Aldora as more experienced divers (which is just to say that I don't know what Aldora dives are like for people who aren't yet efficient with their tanks). I know Aldora is big enough to group divers by experience/ability, and I would expect that DWM does that too, at least to some extent--I personally tend to favor operators that are big enough to group divers, but I know there are a lot of one-boat ops out there that are highly thought of. At any rate, I doubt you need to worry much about being a hindrance to anyone. Last I knew, DWM used the model that I like best--people who are low on air can go up and get picked up, while those with more air continue on their dive--and a lot of other operators do it that way, too. Aldora tends to like to have groups ascend together, but I'm thinking it's rare that totally new divers will end up on a boat with a bunch of gruff old salts liable to complain about spending the big bucks and ending up with a short or average-length dive. Plus, even if that were to happen, Aldora has what one diver on our trip jokingly referred to as "the hose of shame" that allows the DM to easily share air with those who need it.

Your big decision right now might be to decide whether you want one of the select few concierge/big-tank operators or one of the many quality mainline operators, ideally ones that keep groups small. Cozumel sees a lot of new divers, and I think most of the DMs are good at looking out for them and offering a few tips along the way. I don't usually agree with the whole "hire a private DM" thing, but considering how different Cozumel dives can be from those in Dominica, and how new you are, it might not be a bad idea. Plus, with your own DM, you'll likely get a lot of cool stuff pointed out just to you, which may mean you won't get elbowed out of your toadfish or whatever by a bunch of eager photographers.

 

[lindenbruce]

Every time I have dove with Aldora, there was no hitting the surface at a set time prior to an hour. In fact most dives have exceeded an hour easily. Even on one trip where we did have an air hog in our personal group. And on those occasions when that diver ran low, which was most dives, the DM would hand off his long hose to that person so the rest of us and the air hog could enjoy a longer dive. So I have never had s sub-hour time limit set when diving with Aldora. It doesn't mean they haven't done it, it just means I have never experienced it. On my last trip and last dive of the trip I hit 142 on Devils' Throat and ticked off my Suunto Cobra toward the end of the dive. When it gave me a ceiling I showed it to the DM and he shrugged his shoulders and signaled okay and the group just did an extended stop at 15 feet until my computer cleared. I have had some really long dives with them and will continue to dive their operation. B.

 

[bhenson]

I sincerely appreciate your wisdom!

 

[Sue Sue]

behenson, you are asking questions, expressing concerns, seeking advice on how to improve.... First, you are on the right track , good for you !

My advice: If you have not already, take a look at the past couple months of posts and read the reviews posted by fellow Scubaboarders. Get a feel for the Dive Ops mentioned and choose your top 3-5 that sound comfortable. Then, contact each one, beginning with your top choice. Questions and info you should include:

Date of stay

Where you are staying

Experience

6 pack boat ?- I would go with this

Private DM- YES ! In fact, perhaps for you and wife a private DM for 2-3 days. One-on-One attention with buoyancy, weight, air, confidence

Rental equipment if needed

Will you need to meet at a pier elsewhere? If so, what $$

Once you settle on a Dive Op- then get your list together of to do's:

Service any equipment you own.
Get DAN insurance if needed-middle plan at least of not top plan
Perhaps get into a pool at home for a review of skills: SMB for sure
Continue to read ScubaBoard !

Now, all of that as I said was "First". Now for "Second"

Enjoy your time, relax and as my Cozumel DM, Pedro Pablo of Blue XT Sea Diving, for the past 11 years has taught me
"Take it very very slow". My DH and I take this advice to heart. And since this is coming from a DM who has logged 10,000 + dives and who practices what he teaches, I have know doubt that slow is the way to go !!!!

Best Wishes to you and yours. Have a wonderful adventure !

 

[Zman96]

Another added vote for getting the private DM for the first day of diving. You may be trained well and comfortable in the water, but for a very reasonable amount of money from most ops, it is tremendous piece of mind. The DM will be watching you and can offer you helpful hints after seeing you abilities for handling any currents or other underwater issues. I did this on my first dive trip to Cozumel based on the recommendation of those here and it was a great decision.
Email a few shops as others have suggested and let the know of you experience and concerns, along with the issues you had last year. For my diving I use BlueXT Sea. Small op with small 6 pax boat, and they keep, clean and prepare your gear for you each day. Christi's main DM Pedro is fantastic and a very slow and patient dive master.