Cozumel or Utila?

[scubafroggirl]

My Hubby and I are planning our dive trip and are trying to decide between Utila and Cozumel. We cannot go until October as I am still a college student and that is fall break. We are still "newbies" -just certified in Ambergris on our honeymoon Oct 07'. Unfortunately we are only able to go once a year (for now) and fundage is an important detail. We have 18 dives under our belt so far and are looking forward to multiply that number by 1000 in the future. So any advice is welcome including a list of "Must See's" even though it might take us a while to "check" them off as we are landlocked in Utah (no, we are not Mormon). We have been bit the bug and can't wait to be back in the water.

Thanks in Advance, Tiffany ----- Underwater Dreamin'
:froggy::froggy:

 

[robint]

well, congrats on getting married, certified, and getting the bug!

Cozumel is probably the least expensive with lots of deals. Utila is probably more laid-back and remote. Either way, you are looking at hurricane season...... so weather can be iffy. It will really hot either place with some rain.

You might want to check out some websites like Caradonna Dive Adventures - Dive Travel and Vacations and Caribbean Dive Island Vacations at Bay Adventures for deals. They won't have anything for that far away yet, but since it is hurricane season you may be able to get something cheap when it gets closer.

 

[jackass]

Cozumel is cheaper than Utila? I think not.

Utila is the cheapest of the cheap with good quality dives. I prefer Roatan though, still super cheap.

Cozumel is great because you have Cenotes close by...

 

[scubafroggirl]

So maybe think about Roatan? Like I said we are very open to suggestion and with the time frame it gives me plenty of time to research .

 

[Xarifa]

Keep in mind that Coz is mainly drift diving--which at times, depending on the season and the weather, might possilbly be challenging for newer divers (and typically is boat-diving as well). Congrats on your marriage and catching the dive bug!! This board is a great place for info to help you make your own final determination! Good luck and good diving!

 

[scubafroggirl]

What about Isla Mujeres? Has anyone gone diving there?

:froggy:

 

[ReefHound]

Cozumel is cheaper than Utila? I think not.

Utila is the cheapest of the cheap with good quality dives. I prefer Roatan though, still super cheap.

It depends. Utila is typically a 7 night vacation, someone short of funds may only be able to afford 4 or 5 nights. Airfare to Utila is almost double than to Cozumel. In absolute dollars, I can do a Cozumel trip far cheaper than you can do Utila.

On the other hand, you can get better value *per dive* in Utila or Roatan, where you can do 4 or 5 dives per day (including shore dives) for the basic weekly price. Cozumel is almost all 2-tank trips at $50 and up per trip, if you do a similar amount of diving, ka-ching ka-ching.


froggirl, if I happened to find myself in Isla Mujeres I would do some diving there but I wouldn't go there for the purpose of diving. As for Cozumel vs Utila/Roatan, it's really a matter of whether you are looking for a nice vacation with some decent diving, or a dive-eat-sleep-dive-your-brains-out vacation. Don't forget Bonaire.

 

[georoc01]

Reefhound has given some great advice.

Also living landlocked in the Rockies, getting there is half the battle. Cozumel I can get a direct flight from Denver, can't do that to the other locales. Roatan is easier to get to than Utila, and has some great deals too.

Also you might want to do a couple of dives down the road there in Homestead prior to your next vacation, just to do a skills check prior to a trip if your dives are that far apart.

 

[CoyKoi]

Congrats on your marriage and C-card! Cozumel is indeed the least expensive if you're pinching pennies. Both Coz and Roatan are easy to get to from Salt Lake City -- and cheaper than to Utila. All are great dive destinations. Advantages to Coz: eating out is cheaper and easier if you stay close to town and eat at restaurants the locals frequent. Per dive fees are usually cheaper. Disadvantages (well, maybe): Coz is all drift diving. Sometimes the current can be ripping, sometimes hardly noticable. But you won't know until you get in the water. If you are not comfortable with that, go to Roatan instead. I recommend CoCoView Resort. If you are OK with drift diving, be sure EACH of you takes along a safety sausage on every dive. I recommend Aqua Safari for clean, inexpensive lodging and a great dive staff.

Have fun and dive safe!

 

[CoyKoi]

...I am still a college student...

University of Utah? That's my alma mater! Go UTES!