Cozumel Dives

[mccabejc]

I'm considering a trip to Cozumel, but I am a staunch beach diver. Actually, shallow beach dives (typically 40-50 ft. max.) I like the shallow part because I don't have to worry about the concerns that come with deep dives, plus I haven't run out of stuff to see above 60 ft.

Anyway, I realize most Coz dives are drift dives from a boat, and I have few questions:

1. What are the chances the dive op will head for a deep dive, or will I have a choice beforehand? I don't want to pay for a day of diving, then have to sit out some of the 100' dives.

2. If I don't go with a buddy, I assume they will pair me with someone, or maybe another pair of divers?

3. Do you bring safety sausages, etc., with you in case you get separated from the group and the boat?

 

[ggunn]

I'm considering a trip to Cozumel, but I am a staunch beach diver. Actually, shallow beach dives (typically 40-50 ft. max.) I like the shallow part because I don't have to worry about the concerns that come with deep dives, plus I haven't run out of stuff to see above 60 ft.

Anyway, I realize most Coz dives are drift dives from a boat, and I have few questions:

1. What are the chances the dive op will head for a deep dive, or will I have a choice beforehand? I don't want to pay for a day of diving, then have to sit out some of the 100' dives.

2. If I don't go with a buddy, I assume they will pair me with someone, or maybe another pair of divers?

3. Do you bring safety sausages, etc., with you in case you get separated from the group and the boat?

1. Your chances are pretty good. You'll have a vote, same as everybody else, but chances are pretty good that the first dive will be deeper than 60'. But 100' in 200 foot viz and 83 degrees is not as challenging as 30' in Puget Sound or wherever. There's really not that much diff there between 60' and 90'.

2. Folks frequently pair up on the boats.

3. I usually carry a sausage. It's more for letting other boats see me if I get separated rather than a fear of getting lost. Most dives are within a couple hundred yards of shore.

You won't find much shore diving at Cozumel, and any that you do won't show you much compared with what you'll see on a boat dive.

 

[jlyle]

I'm considering a trip to Cozumel, but I am a staunch beach diver. Actually, shallow beach dives (typically 40-50 ft. max.) I like the shallow part because I don't have to worry about the concerns that come with deep dives, plus I haven't run out of stuff to see above 60 ft.

Anyway, I realize most Coz dives are drift dives from a boat, and I have few questions:

1. What are the chances the dive op will head for a deep dive, or will I have a choice beforehand? I don't want to pay for a day of diving, then have to sit out some of the 100' dives.

2. If I don't go with a buddy, I assume they will pair me with someone, or maybe another pair of divers?

3. Do you bring safety sausages, etc., with you in case you get separated from the group and the boat?

You can always stay above the group on the reef/wall, so don't worry about having to go deep if you don't want to. Yes, they will pair you with someone at the beginning of the dive. In most cases, it's up to you how close you stay to your new "friend." I'm a photgrapher - my buddy is usually my camera. I carry a small safety sausage - never used it.

If you like long shore dives, stay at Scuba Club Cozumel and dive to your heart's content.

DSAO,
Jim (jlyle)

 

[lawofgravity]

I'm considering a trip to Cozumel, but I am a staunch beach diver. Actually, shallow beach dives (typically 40-50 ft. max.) I like the shallow part because I don't have to worry about the concerns that come with deep dives, plus I haven't run out of stuff to see above 60 ft.

Anyway, I realize most Coz dives are drift dives from a boat, and I have few questions:

1. What are the chances the dive op will head for a deep dive, or will I have a choice beforehand? I don't want to pay for a day of diving, then have to sit out some of the 100' dives.

2. If I don't go with a buddy, I assume they will pair me with someone, or maybe another pair of divers?

3. Do you bring safety sausages, etc., with you in case you get separated from the group and the boat?

1. Most good ops let the group decide where they want to dive, so chances are you're going to be outvoted. In your case I wonder if you can just pay for a one tank dive, go out with the group and just do the shallower second dive.

2. I imagine they would pair single divers with the DM

3. Yes, I brought mine on every dive, though thankfully I never had to use it.

Just curious why you would choose Cozumel if you're a staunch beach diver? Sounds like Bonaire would be perfect for you.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Hey Jim. I will be in Coz for the 3rd time in April. As for dive styles, I pretty much agree with you. A shallow "fish" dive at 40 feet for 60 minutes is always better than a 20 minute dive at 90 feet. Time is money. With that said, you may find yourself deep but just make sure to communicate with the dive op before you get on the boat. Even if you do go deep it doesn't mean you have to "follow." Most of the reefs are situated along a sloping wall so you can usually pick your spot along the "wall" and glide along. Most DM's seem to let experienced divers do what makes them happy as long as they can still see you.

I generally suggest the smaller ops with six pack boats. Ops generally try to match divers of similiar levels and interests but the possibility of being stuck with "macho" divers that always want to go deep does exist. Another reason to go with the smaller boats. Less people to vote you out. Again, communication before hand will help. Just explain what type of diving you are interested in and most ops should help. Coz is VERY customer oriented. They aim to please.

Looking back at my Coz log I didn't see a dive that went past 80 feet. I usually try not to go past 70 feet alot when diving for a whole week but I will admit that the visibility in Coz is so good that you could be at 100 feet and not even realize it unless you watch those gauges. Man is the viz awesome! I noted in my log that the visibility was similiar to diving at Ginnie Springs at times. Ginnie is a fresh water spring where Dannon bottled water comes from. SO, it's clear and clean.

I always bring my sausage. The DM's are great but anything could happen. The current really rips at times in Coz but you learn quickly to use the current to your advantage. It really isn't like diving any other place I have been. In coz, the current is your friend. It's like flying!

I have never been on a Coz boat with uneven numbers. Usually 4 or 6 people on the small boats I use. Up to the DM I guess. I doubt you will ever be without a buddy in Coz though. It's like Disney for divers. They are EVERYWHERE!

I have used Papa Hogs and Blue Angel. Both were great. Blue Angel has a great shore dive right in front of "there" hotel, Caribe Blu. That's where we will be in April. Also hear good things about Blue XTsea. Have fun.

BTW, glad you had fun in Hawaii! Cya in Cally in about 6 months my friend. We'll try Old Marineland again if we can!

 

[scubadobadoo]

Just curious why you would choose Cozumel if you're a staunch beach diver? Sounds like Bonaire would be perfect for you.

I agree but I bet it's a pain to get to from Cally huh?

 

[mccabejc]

Yeah, Bonaire is a pain (5-7 hour layover), and the airfare is almost twice that of Cozumel. Though it sounds like the perfect place.

Really the only problem I have with the depth is the increased risk of DCI, especially after days of multiple dives. The extra depth just isn't worth the extra worry for me. I suppose if I was still in my 20's or 30's it wouldn't be that big of a concern, but it's been quite a while since I was in my 30's. Not sure I can even remember it....

Now, Jason, you'll be in Coz in April ??? Hmmmm....interesting....wonder if I could swing that....

 

[Charlie99]

Really the only problem I have with the depth is the increased risk of DCI, especially after days of multiple dives. The extra depth just isn't worth the extra worry for me.

There's a huge difference between a square profile dive to an 80' or 100' bottom or wreck, versus the normal Cozumel dive that spends 10 or 15 minutes at 80', then moves up to 50 or 60', then up into the 20-30' area. Very nice ascent. Much different than going to 80' for 25 minutes then immediately starting an ascent/stops.

As others have pointed out you can stay 20' or 30' shallower than the rest of the group most of the time. There are some dives, however, that have swimthroughs and you will either need to descend down to the swimthru depth, or break contact with the group, go over the top of the reef and then find them again. It's probably better to stay with the group, then spend more time shallow.

 

[loudives]

Some of the larger operators with many boats like Sand Dollar and Dive Paradise will put you on a boat that have divers that want to do the same profile. They can do it due to the volume of divers and many boats.
The problem is it will most likely be a real slow boat, have alot of Cruise ship people, and have as many as 25-30 people on board. Not the best diving conditions when everyone wants to see the same thing at the same time.
Make sure you go with an operator that does at least a 1 hour surface interval before the second dive and you should be OK. I'm 52 and found that 90' is not a problem in Coz and there are many dive sites where you can stay 60-80' if the others go deeper. Just make your feelings known and most others will respect that.
Operators that have small fast boats and do a min 1 hour interval are:
WWW.bottomtimedivers.net
Bluextsea
Liquid Blue
Blue angel
To name a few. Bluextsea and liquid blue you have to call way ahead of time they are small but have many repeat customers that book dives months in advance. Blue angel is alittle larger and sometimes can take last min. Bottomtimedivers does not do much ads so you can get on his boat with only a weeks notice.

 

[WyDive]

Have a good time.
I got back from Coz a few weeks ago and had a great time. Did 75 to 100 first dive Mon Tue Thu and Fri and second dive at 60 or less those days. On Wed I went to Mainland and did Cenote with Dennis Weeks of Diablo Divers. Great time max depth in cenote was about 40', most at or near 25 to 30. Made for a great Off-Gas day.
Watch your guages and have a great time.
PS I will be 51 nest month
:dazzler1: