Cozumel dive trip report: Sea Urchin, Villas Ixchel, Diablo Divers

[Dive-Ho]

Great report! Any pics?

Visibility on your dives was 40' to 60', which for Coz is said to be poor. Was there a reason the vis was down?

Man that is Very Poor viz for Coz :06:

 

[halocline]

Nice report. Regarding what there is to see at 90-120 ft, my experience has been that Colombia deep, Punta Sur, and Maricaibo all have alot to offer at those depths, although in general there is less diversity, especially with coral formation, at those depths, and the light is not as good. Intense light and active water movement are what spur most coral growth, which then provides habitat for many of the most colorful reef fishes. Shallower depths have those conditions; so for me, Yucab, Tormentos, and some of the shallower areas in Palancar are the most beautiful. The deeper dives in Cozumel are impressive for the larger sponges and rock formations, as well as some VERY impressive algae (foliose algae, not the ugly micro-algae that are an indication of poor water quality) fronds in Colombia. Interestingly enough, I assume it's the lack of fish diversity that allows these large algae fronds to survive. Surgeonfish and Angelfish in particular fed on algae and sponge; so areas where they dominate the fish population, you'll see less large algae and sponges.

 

[scubarick314]

Thank you for the informative report. I can't wait to go back.

 

[ae3753]

Great report! Any pics?

Visibility on your dives was 40' to 60', which for Coz is said to be poor. Was there a reason the vis was down?

It was overcast the entire time we were there, so not much light. When there was light, visibility increased significantly. Also, it could be user error. Anything over 60' and I'm not really too particular about the measurement. I'm not used to diving with places that have that much visibility. When you dive in about 10'-20' vis, you kinda are just happy to see even 30'.

I'll see if I can post pictures later. Though it won't be as impressive as others I have seen on scubaboard.

Mattboy, thanks for the 90'-120' info!

 

[ae3753]

Here are a few pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47573798@N00/

Canon S50 with the underwater housing, used the natural light, so nothing fancy.

 

[Rick Inman]

Here are a few pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47573798@N00/

Canon S50 with the underwater housing, used the natural light, so nothing fancy.

Nice pics! Thanks.