Cozumel Dive Recommendations

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Wallsy82

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My fiance and I will be taking a cruise for our honeymoon this December and will be making a 12 hr stop in Cozumel. I was hoping they would have scuba diving excursions available through Royal Caribbean, however they do not. Now I am looking for a shop to go through in Cozumel. Does anyone have any recommendations of a reputable place to deal with?

Also, as I have never been to Cozumel I have no idea where the pier would be in relation to where I would have to travel to. If anyone can give me some recommendations on a good company to book a day of diving through that I can get to easily from wherever the dock may be, well you'd be my hero! Thanks for any info you can provide.

(edited for spelling)
 
We highly recommend Raul of Bottom Time Divers - http://www.bottomtimedivers.net/. We went to Cozumel for our honeymoon in March and he was recommended by another shop. Very experienced, patient, and knowledgeable diver. A huge plus was the intimate dive group - there were only 2 other divers with us each day. Regarding location - he picked up his divers personally. If you give him a try you won't be disappointed. - Clare & Erich
 
Another operator is papa hogs they are only a short distance from the pier and will work with you on your times. I have dove with them on 4 dives and have not been disapointed. On two of our dive it was just my son and I plus our divemaster and on the other 2 dives there were only 4 divers. They won't take out any more than 8 divers so you aren't on a cattle boat. I can only say good things about them. Take a look at their website: http://www.papahogs.com
 
http://www.divewithmartin.com/ Dive With Martin is who we have used for years. He is located at one of the cruise ship piers so if you dock at that one you would only need to step off the cruise ship and be at his shop. Otherwise you can probably take a taxi to it for about $4.00. He has small, fast boats and great dive masters. Ask for Orlando or Pablo if you can. You should be able to email him to set it up, then pay when you get there. Whoever you use, make sure you let them know your experience level, dive safe and have fun!
 
My husband and I have also used Dive With Martin on three past cruises and we are going next month as well. Excellent operation.
 
If you only have a little time, then the suggestions for dive ops you have received are all pretty good.

Here is what I think is the biggest drawback to diving one day in Cozumel. You get in a boat with a group of people you have never met, and you set out. The DM asks about dive sites, and people try to come to consensus. Usually it's no problem, because all of the potential first dive sites are pretty good. You problem comes when some of the people in the group are highly experienced and some are true beginners.

It makes a big difference. All Cozumel dives are by rule DM led, so everyone is pretty much together. As the dive begins, the DM will get a quick sense of who he has with him. If he senses that everyone is pretty good, you can get a sensational dive of complex swim throughs, etc. If he thinks the group has some people with significant buoyancy problems, then that same dive could be a pleasant little drift past all of those intricacies. I once had a guy announce that he had a pacemaker and could not go below 60 feet, which pretty much screwed any of the decent first dive possibilities for everyone.

Some of the bigger operators like Dive Paradise try to match people with similar abilities together. That sounds good, but that's where I got the guy with the pacemaker.

I suggest you find the web sites of each of the suggested groups and see if you can get registered ahead of time. Let them know your diving experience and try to get on a bnoat with similar people.
 
I was in the same situation and a buddy and I chartered our own six-pack with Aldora. It was expensive but I had two of the best dives of my life.
 
bluext diving. Trust me on this one. Look them up they have probably the best dive rep anywhere. Go to the Cozumel forum and ask around!!
 
My husband and I have been to Cozumel three times in the past 5 years. It is definitely one of our favorite dive spots! We prefer diving with Alison Dennis: http://www.scubawithalison.com/
She and her crew are terrific! She may be able to pick you up within walking distance of the pier (there are only two ports in Cozumel, the main port downtown and International Pier a few miles south) so you don't have to take a taxi; however, getting around Cozumel is pretty easy. You can reach her best via the email link on her website. Congratulation on your upcoming wedding. Enjoy your trip to the Island; you will have a wonderful time!
 
boulderjohn:
Here is what I think is the biggest drawback to diving one day in Cozumel. You get in a boat with a group of people you have never met, and you set out. The DM asks about dive sites, and people try to come to consensus. Usually it's no problem, because all of the potential first dive sites are pretty good. You problem comes when some of the people in the group are highly experienced and some are true beginners.
Click to expand...

Guess I have real lucky because every time we went with DWM we were the only divers on board. We book ahead and if we meet other divers on board we invite them to join us. Twice it was just my husband and myself and once us and one other couple! I always tell them our level and request specific sites (Of course conditions set the final destination.)
 
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