Cozumel vs Florida Keys...opinions wanted

[Augy]

A buddy and I are trying to decide whether to dive a week in Cozumel or the Florida Keys. We'll be going in late April/early May. We've both dove in Cozumel and loved it but neither of us has been to the Keys. From what we've figured, the costs will be about the same to go to either location. We've been trying to weigh the pros and cons of each but since we've never been to the Keys we don't really know what to expect. The pros we expect in the Keys are long dive times (shallow depths) and wrecks. Aside from that, we can't figure what else the Keys would have over Cozumel (aside from something new to both of us). What we both loved about Coz is the atmosphere, inexpensive food/beverages, hospitality, uncrowded diving, and the abundance of beautiful sealife.

So, if you have been to both locations, would you recommend going back to Coz or trying something new and going to the Keys.

Thanks for any and all opinions!

 

[Dee]

That's hard to compare, they are both so different. The atmosphere is definately lacking in the Keys, but so is the crowds of cruise ship pod people. The food isn't so inexpensive in Coz anymore unless you know the back road and places the locals go to but you get those great six-pack boats for uncrowded diving. The food in the Keys is what you're used to but you have to really hunt for 6-pack boats. Remember a boatful means money! While in the Keys, I really miss the healthy reefs I see in Coz. The upper Keys are the worse, I guess because they are where everyone stops. I much prefer either the middle to lower Keys or better yet, go north of the Keys to the Pompano Beach area.

One of the biggest differences is in the way you are treated. In Coz, you are catered to more. The DM wants to know where you want to go or what you want to see and he'll point out things for you during the dive. In Florida, the boat usually has a scheduled couple of sites to follow a time table. If you're on a morning 2-tank trip, they have to be back at the dock at a specific time in order to clean the boat and get ready for the next group. And the DM's do not get in the water with you. On the reef drift dives, they give a dive flag to a group of 4 to 6 divers and you get off the boat! You are only expected to stay with the dewd with the flag! I've seen a line of dive flags a half mile long, the dive boat following along, picking up folks as they surface. Both methods have their advantages, it just depends on what you need/expect from your dive operator.

So if you like trying new places, I'd go to Pompano Beach or the Lower Keys. If you want something familiar, you need the atmosphere to feel you're on vacation, then go back to Coz.
Just my 2¢

 

[Genesis]

Sounds like when I go down to the keys I should drag this with me if I go by land.....

That'll solve the scheduling problems

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

No comparison. I would take Cozumel over the Keys in a heartbeat.

 

[Cudabait]

Augy,

Genesis gave you a good hint....if you have access to a small private platform (boat) go to the keys, if not go to Coz!!

Regards,

 

[Wristshot]

if I could only go to one of the two places ever, I would select Cozumel.

We just got back from a week of diving in Key Largo, and we talk about going back again sometime. When I got back from Cozumel, I knew that I MUST go back again (and again!).

All the previous comments are true, but there can be some language issues. Knowing some spanish can really help in Cozumel.

You can find some great places to eat at really good prices in Cozumel if you ask around. We stayed away from the tourist-y and cruise ship places for the most part. Ask the dive ops for the local eateries for lunch. If you don't like mexican food, or you don't feel comfortable ordering in Spanish, then stay near the cruise ship pier. If you just want fast food or food you can pronounce then Florida will be okay.

We saw more large schools of fish in the Keys, but the corals seem to be more colorful in Cozumel.

There are more wrecks in the Keys, but the C-53 in Cozumel was a great dive experience.

Diving in most any of the Palancar dive sites in Cozumel can be truly awe-inspiring.

The costs can range for both places, depending upon how frugal you want to be, and how hard you want to try to control costs. Really though, the cost delta between the two is not a huge percentage of the total (if you do it right).

I guess I would sum it up by saying that Key Largo is real good, Cozumel is great.

Just my cinco centavos, and only because you asked.

Wristshot

 

[DandyDon]

I love Floirda Keys Wreck diving, but you don't give your training level or dive experience in your profile? Grove, Duanne, Bibb, Eagle, Thurderbolt, Busch, all great dives that do not at all compare to Cozumel...

If you're trained for deep diving in hard currents, and like wrecks.

don

 

[Augy]

Ok, thanks for the input. We're booked to Coz. I guess the Keys will have to wait awhile...maybe I'll be down in Florida for other reasons and can sneak off for some diving someday.