Cozumel Diving Suggestions

[gldnrm01]

We´re here at the lovely Occidental Grand. So are several mosquitoes.

The weather has been mostly rainy and overcast. Still decent vis although you know the colors will really come out if it were brighter out. We´re diving with ¨Dive Palancar¨ - not our favorite after being here before from over the years and experienceing other dive operators. It´s definately a cattle operation - we have 7 more dives with them till we fininsh the package...ugh.

They suggest Santa Rosa wall every day. As well as nearby areas that are not bad...however what are some areas that you would suggest as being the best spots to dive here in Cozumel so that we can suggest once in the boat and not feel thay are just trying to get the dive over with.

Also, the last 2 dives our tanks were below 3000 psi (had about 2800 in it- any suggestions?) Thanks!

 

[Wristshot]

. . .what are some areas that you would suggest as being the best spots to dive here in Cozumel so that we can suggest once in the boat and not feel thay are just trying to get the dive over with.

Personally, I have really enjoyed all the dives I have done at any of the sections of the Palancar Reef; Gardens, Caves, Horseshoe etc. I would gladly do any of those in a heartbeat.

The owner of my LDS recommended San Francisco and Santa Rosa Walls.

I have seen Octopus both times I have dove Las Palmas. Excellent life there.

Divng the C-53 Wreck is one of my absolute favorites, but not everyone is into that.

Also, the last 2 dives our tanks were below 3000 psi (had about 2800 in it- any suggestions?) Thanks!

If I were consistently getting thin fills, then I might mention it to the owner / manager of the Dive Op. Of course, I don't sweat it until it is under 2700 psi. Tanks can change a couple hundred psi due to temperature changes. A tank reading 2800 on a cool morning might read a lot more on a hot afternoon dive. (just something to consider)

Remember that the people filling tanks are probably not the people you are dealing with (in most cases), so don't pound on them. If the thin fills are forcing you to end your dives early, then it might be an issue. Then again, it might be a motivator to get you to work on improving your air consumption.

Just a few thoughts at random,


Wristshot

 

[RTodd]

We´re here at the lovely Occidental Grand. So are several mosquitoes.

The weather has been mostly rainy and overcast. Still decent vis although you know the colors will really come out if it were brighter out. We´re diving with ¨Dive Palancar¨ - not our favorite after being here before from over the years and experienceing other dive operators. It´s definately a cattle operation - we have 7 more dives with them till we fininsh the package...ugh.

They suggest Santa Rosa wall every day. As well as nearby areas that are not bad...however what are some areas that you would suggest as being the best spots to dive here in Cozumel so that we can suggest once in the boat and not feel thay are just trying to get the dive over with.

Also, the last 2 dives our tanks were below 3000 psi (had about 2800 in it- any suggestions?) Thanks!

Deep Sites

Columbia Deep
Columbia Caves
Maracaibo "shallow"
Palancar Gardens

Shallow Sites

Paseo del Cedral

If you are experienced divers Barracuda. But I highly doubt this operation will take you there.

 

[redacted]

Your down south so take that opportunity to do Columbia Shallows. They may resist but press them as many of the more northerly ops try to take asdvantage of the SI time to move back north. Columbia shallow is 20 to 30 ft with heavy coral growth to within 10 ft of the surface and plentyful marine life. Dive should last at least an hour.

2800 fills from Dive Palancar should not matter much as they limit bottom times so severely you could do most of their dives with a 63 cu ft tank.

You might want to talk to one of the tour hawkers up front of the OG and ask about Dive With Martin. Use the rest of your DP package up on their afternoon shallow dives.

 

[peterbj7]

I did one dive with Paradise Divers a couple of weeks ago, and whilst the operation seemed reasonably professional, friendly & flexible, I and my two experienced companions were very disappointed with the actual dive. A flat, boring bottom with an uninteresting drop-off, and total life seen (by anyone) one lobster hiding under a lump of concrete and one ray of some sort - it was a very long way away. We all ended with our tanks at least half full, and all cancelled our second dive. Everyone tells me how fantastic diving at Cozumel is, and many people say this operator is one of the best, but I have to speak as I find and I honestly cannot think of a single dive I have ever done in Belize that was anywhere near as poor.