Deep Blue dive op

[Pyro_]

hello, I am wondering if anyone has any experience with Deep Blue dive op either good or bad? it is one of the dive ops i am considering if i go to Cozumel in september.

Thanks

 

[Sue Sue]

My DH & I included a 3 day package in June with Deep Blue, www.deepbluecozumel.com to enjoy diving with friends. I will say that the standard of service and diving was good. Dive times to computer limits, good tank fills and Sandro, the DM assigned to us did a good job. However, compared to the Boutique style and service we have enjoyed, and prefer, for the past 11 + years with our Dive OP, Blue XT Sea Diving, www.bluextseadiving.com, the overall experience is like night and day.

The differences:

Deep Blue

Rinse/Transport gear : Not included in standard service. (BCD/Regs/Mask/Fins as well as Wetsuits) Was offered for extra Tip.
On Board service: Minimal
Refreshments/Snacks: Water and Banana
South Dive Sites - ie: Columbia, Punta Sur, Maracaibo : Extra Cost
Pick UP: 9:00 AM ; Town Pier and South
Boat: 6 pack/covered
Dive Time: Computer Limits
NITROX/Enriched air: YES - Extra Fee
Crew/Staff experience: Good; Meets needs and expectations
Cost: $71.00 -$75.00 per individual two tank dive (Refer to web site for published rates)

Blue XT Sea Diving

Rinse/Transport gear : Included in standard service. (NO wetsuits)
On Board service: Assist with BCD, boat re-entry, gear set-up and break down
Refreshments/Snacks: Water, Juice, Fruit, Baked Goods and Sandwiches
South Dive Sites - ie: Columbia, Punta Sur, Maracaibo : Included
Pick UP: 8:00 AM ; Town Pier and South
Boat: 6 pack/covered
Dive Time: Air Limits/up to 60 - 80 min. Maximum - Computer Limit depending on dive and diver
NITROX/Enriched air: YES-Extra fee
Crew/Staff experience: Excellent; Exceeds expectations
Cost: $85.00 per individual two tank rate (Refer to website for published rates). NOTE: Although Blue XT Sea's cost per 2 tank is higher than Deep Blue, the total for our diving with Deep Blue was actually only a few dollars less per day after the Extra fees were added for our long distance trips.

Overall, there are many dive op's on Cozumel to choose from, some Basic, or for that matter..very basic, and some Boutique. In our experience, which has been not only with Blue XT Sea Diving and Deep Blue, we feel some are similar to Deep Blue and some are similar to Blue XT SEA Diving. Which level of diving and service you prefer is truly up to the individual and what he/she wants for their diving enjoyment.

Regardless of which Dive OP you decide upon, Best Wishes for a fantastic Cozumel Dive Vacation !

 

[nodakdive]

Never been diving with BlueXTC, almost got to once, but it didn't work out on my end. I dive with Deep Blue all the time. They're like family to me now.

As to Sue Sue's itemized comparison, it's accurate to Deep Blue, though I would note that as to the "On Board Service" line, I believe that Deep Blue will do those things if you ask, actually, some of the DM's just do it until you ask them not to. (Gear set-up, for instance.)

You can get back in the boat with as much or as little help from them as you would like, too. If you want them to take your BCD, they will do it if you ask them.

There are pluses and minuses to Deep Blue's departure time, though I would say that in the 8 years I've been diving with them, we haven't run into another group underwater, even a handful of times. I've been with two other shops on the island for one week of diving with each, and with both we encountered other groups on the reef, multiple times. There were so many on one dive, I video taped it. The, actually, 3 times I was with Deep Blue and ran into another group, the other groups came from behind. We didn't "dive into" them.

Didn't know that BlueXTC had an 80 minute max dive time, but that's a high limit and of no real consequence in my opinion. YMMV. I wouldn't let that be a determining factor, even if I was accustomed to longer than 80 minute dives on an AL80. Which I'm not. Heh.

Oh, both shops will pick you up at your hotel's pier too, though I think there's at least one southern AI that charges the shops, and I don't think BlueXTC picks up there but they no-doubt have doable work arounds if you stay at that hotel. I'm not sure what Deep Blue does about pick-ups at that hotel, whose name I can't remember. Again, I wouldn't let it be a deciding factor. Both are good shops.

-Blair

 

[cozcharlie]

I haven't dove with Deep Blue in quite some time (dive with a friend who owns another dive shop), but Deep Blue was always quite professional when I did dive with them (probably 50+ times). Pretty well run shop. I run into people diving with them every now and then--the comments have always been positive.

 

[Sue Sue]

To clarify:

IMMHO- Deep blue provided a good level of service. For the most part, our expectations for Good service were met.

Also, the dive time limits I posted, and corrections made thereafter, are based on my personal experience. I am not directly representing Blue XT Sea Diving .

 

[mstevens]

We've been diving with Deep Blue more than any other dive shop on the island.

They're fine. We have no complaints. For us, their relatively later departure time is preferable.

However, the only reason we currently dive with them is that our DM friend currently works for them. When he worked elsewhere, we used the shop where he worked. At one point, the shop where he worked (since sold to a new owner) provided additional services and amenities that Deep Blue doesn't (gear rinsing and transport, towels on the boat).

If it weren't for our friend, we'd probably dive with Blue XT Sea or Aldora, if we could get up early enough.

 

[nodakdive]

mstevens,
I think I know which DM you're talking about and I consider him one of the best DM's I've ever encountered. I, too, dove with that other shop, and really loved their boat. Nice ride and the floor was even padded as I recall, but he was managing, not DMing and so I didn't get to actually dive with him. I also suspect we've been diving together. Was it you that wanted to go to Colombia Shallows and we talked about it one night at the shop and went the next day? You had some snorkelers with you and I had some other divers with me? If it was you, I was so happy we ran into each other. Can't tell you the number of times I've been on the boat and suggested that as a second tank and had others who've never been there pooh pooh it. The one time I got the other divers to cave in, they were ecstatic about the place. I think many hear the word "shallow" and the testosterone or whatever kicks in. Their loss.

Sue Sue, thanks for the edit. I suspected that BlueXTC was the same as Deep Blue with regard to dive times, meaning the limit is based on your computer and air, but that there isn't any "set" limit. Fwiw, I agree with you that Deep Blue and BlueXTC are different operations. I've never been with BlueXTC, but it's easy enough to read between the lines, etc. If Deep Blue wasn't like family to me, I'd probably dive with BlueXTC. Steel 120's are cool and all, and great for some, but for me it's a way to push NDL's, and I try not to do that. Plus, I'm ready to take a break after an hour under water.

Pyro, whichever way you go, you'll be in good hands. The key to getting what you need is to be up front and let whichever shop know what you're after. If you want/need something most shops will do what they can to provide it, but if you don't say anything, they have no way of knowing. Be open about your desires and your abilities, etc. One other note, I noticed your number of dives, and if it's accurate, hiring a private DM for the first day/2 tanks, no matter which shop you chose, is a great idea. Have a great trip!!

-Blair

 

[Lorenzoid]

I dove with Deep Blue some years ago on my first trip to Cozumel and, according to my log book, I had no complaints whatsoever and had a great time. I found them by stumbling onto their shop, which looked like a decent little place--I did no advance research before arriving in Coz. In recent years I have gotten more accustomed to personalized service, dive resorts, and liveaboards. So last year's return to Coz I went with Blue XTSea. SueSue describes the differences in her post above and sums it up well. It's all a matter of what you want out of your experience.

 

[Aguablanco1]

We have dove with them twice (off cruise ships) and were very satisfied. Their times met our schedule and the service level was more than adequate. Only complaint is they really like Palancar, probably due to proximity of dock, and tried to take us there the second trip until I intervened. Prices are very reasonable and they even took us back close to the port.
RichH

 

[mstevens]

I think I know which DM you're talking about and I consider him one of the best DM's I've ever encountered...but he was managing, not DMing

Sounds like Sandro. He would dive with us at that shop, but typically fewer than half the dives. We usually ended up diving either with Pumbaa (who's still there) or with Gabriel (who is now managing at Del Mar Aquatics). He tried to make a go as an independent and we went with him on his friend's boat, but these are not the economic times in which to build a business. Plus I don't think he's that good with money decisions..

I, too, dove with that other shop, and really loved their boat. Nice ride and the floor was even padded as I recall.

I miss those warm towels, too. Ultimately, for us, it's about whom we're diving with and Sandro is now a friend. And I really like Chorno as a captain. I think his son "Chornito" is still at that other shop, though.

I also suspect we've been diving together. Was it you that wanted to go to Colombia Shallows and we talked about it one night at the shop and went the next day? You had some snorkelers with you and I had some other divers with me?

Sounds very plausible. I was probably the guy who never stopped talking when I wasn't underwater.