Trip Report Cozumel, February/March 2025: diving and lots of restaurants

[Johnoly]

.... the op I was scheduled with placed me on another boat in time for me not to miss a dive day. YMMV.

Not just Coz, but worldwide......if a boat operator has such a great reputation with their fellow operators to switch guests to, you can bet you picked one of the best in the area. It happens in Florida sometimes for those operators that are always recommended here.

 

[rmssetc]

This time around I chartered my boat dives through a family-run operation via divemaster Geiser (pics 1 & 2). Geiser was a DM at Scuba Club Cozumel for many years before Scuba Club folded. He now runs independent charters with family-owned boats.

...

[SARCASM]
Using only boats that have Marine Park permits, right?
[/SARCASM]

The biggest monetary advantage of chartering with Geiser was that I did not pay the $12 USD marine park fee for each day of diving. No wrist bands needed!

...
Um, you post like you're proud of that? Really?

Avoiding any discussion of what happens to the funds after they are collected (MX govt inefficiency and corruption, etc), why would a diver publically advertise that they are breaking the law to avoid a minimal fee that supports a protected marine park (while simultaneously hurting legitimate dive operators who have a higher charge through paying the fee)?

The other disadvantage is that no analyzer was on the boat to analyze the nitrox cylinders. I just trusted the fill and rolled with it.

That's not just "a disadvantage", but a reason to disqualify the operator and a violation of what you were taught when you were Nitrox trained.

Thanks for giving the divemaster's name & details. I will be certain to avoid giving him business in the future.

 

[OregonDM]

Been diving with Geyser a few times back in the Scuba Club days. Good dude and good DM.

I was going to say though, no wristbands is no bueno.

 

[Shawn C]

It sure sounds like Geiser is running a pirate boat - no licence to operate the boat in the park and not paying for the required wristbands to dive in the park.