Currents in the Carribean?

[trt]

Hi

I'm going to the Carribean for a 2 week vacation at the end of November. I would like to go to Cozumel but I'm a bit concerned about the currents here, are they strong? I'm a fairly new diver and am a bit scared of currents so would like to go somewhere where there is not much current, where would you recommend if not Cozumel?

 

[Charlie99]

Even a relatively strong current in Cozumel is easier to dive than a 1/2 kt current from a moored boat. You drop into the water from a drifting boat, drift with the current, then surface. The boat has been tracking bubbles during the dive and should be nearby.

Unlike diving from a moored boat, you aren't fighting the current.

 

[trt]

Thanks for the reply, but how strong can the currents get? The reason I ask is that on one dive in the Maldives the current was so strong that we were clinging to rocks at the bottom, too terrified to let go in case we drifted off from our buddies, this was a really frightening experience and one which I would not like to repeat.

 

[Charlie99]

trt once bubbled...
Thanks for the reply, but how strong can the currents get? The reason I ask is that on one dive in the Maldives the current was so strong that we were clinging to rocks at the bottom, too terrified to let go in case we drifted off from our buddies, this was a really frightening experience and one which I would not like to repeat.

While others may chime in with horror stories of tremendous currents at the far northern or far southern sites, in 5 trips and about 80 dives in Cozumel I've never seen a current over 3 knots (5 feet per second). Most currents were under 2 knots (10' of drift every 3 seconds).

Stay at the same level as others in your group and you will be together.

One risk of high currents is that divers get spread over a wide area and the boat has a hard time finding anybody. This is particularly risky at the northern sites where you are not right next to land. IIRC, the harbormaster has to give explicit permission before a commercial charter boat takes divers to those sites. For most dive sites, if all else fails, you are within swimming distance of shore. Carrying signal tube is a wise precaution for both better visibility by your boat, and to keep other boats from running your over as you surface. Most divers, though, don't carry one in Cozumel and instead stick with a DM that carries a signal tube.

If you don't fight the current, drift dives are wonderful. While the conditions are not as benign as the Florida Keys, many newly certified divers go to Cozumel and have a safe, wonderful time.

 

[Sergeant Major]

I was in your position earlier this year. I had about 35 dives under my belt, wanted to go to Cozumel, but was concerned about the currents. I ended up going and I'm really glad I did. On several of the dives we did, the currents were barely noticeable. The current was fairly strong on some of the wall dives, but as the other divers have pointed out, you don't fight the current, you drift with it. It's actually really fun.

The diving in Cozumel is absolutely superb. Great visibility, good sea life, and fantastic terrain (particularly Palancar Reef). Out of the three places I've been in the Caribbean, Cozumel is my favorite. So I'd recommend it, and I wouldn't let the currents stop me.

But if you feel like you'd have some doubt, you can always do it later. I loved Bonaire and Grand Cayman, and I'd highly recommend both. Both are very good places to get experience. No currents on most of the dives, and good shallow diving opportunities.

 

[Walter]

Charlie,

"While the conditions are not as benign as the Florida Keys"

Have you ever dived the Florida Keys? I've personally encountered stronger currents in the Keys than in Cozumel.

 

[Charlie99]

Walter once bubbled...
Charlie,

"While the conditions are not as benign as the Florida Keys"

Have you ever dived the Florida Keys? I've personally encountered stronger currents in the Keys than in Cozumel.

LOL. Yes, I've been in the Keys.
Most recently last December. Next times are the end of this month, and then again Sept 26-Oct 7. Last times in Cozumel were January and March. Next time isn't yet booked, but probably early November.

Yes, you can find challenging conditions in the Keys, such as the 6'+ seas and the "charter fee is mine when we pull off the dock, whether or not you dive" agreement that it took to get a boat to go out last December. Although it had been 25kts, gusting to 30+ at Sombrero tower that morning, we still had a nice dive. Yes, I have seen some pretty strong current, particularly at the wrecks.

There are, however, lots of nice, relatively protected sites in the Keys ---- Looe Key and Pennecamp have nice shallow reefs, that typically have less challenging conditions than Cozumel.

We each, of course, are entitled to our opinions.