Dive Op Rec? Coming from PDC for 1 day

[jiazzi]

Been reading through a million reviews on TA for Cozumel dive ops and they're all starting to sound very similar. Figured the folks over here would have pretty keen insight on this. Will be taking the ferry from PDC to do a 2 tank boat dive in mid August. Looking for small dive groups, updated equipment, but where you don't have to meet the crew the day before for obvious reasons and a fun, safe crew as I'm coming solo. Would be nice if the dive shop was close to the ferry area.

Thanks!

 

[cicopo]

Lots of choices but in order to recommend them everyone needs to know more about your skill set & previous experiences. Number of dives & in what kind of conditions etc.

 

[jiazzi]

70 logged dives. Did a week of diving in Cozumel back in 2009 at SCC, other dive vacations I've done was in Belize and another week in Roatan, some in Isla Mujeres, and dove in Hawaii. Done a bunch of night dives. Last dives were in Key Largo this month. I prefer the shallower dives where you can see the sea life more vibrantly, not a fan of wreck dives. Have nitrox certification as well.

 

[buffdiver]

Aldora pier is very close to the ferry pier (5min) walk. If you can tell them your arrival schedule maybe they’ll accommodate you. If you are solo,then it’ll depend on if others are on your schedule also.

 

[ReefHound]

Aldora pier is very close to the ferry pier (5min) walk. If you can tell them your arrival schedule maybe they’ll accommodate you. If you are solo,then it’ll depend on if others are on your schedule also.

Given Dave's public position on cruise ship divers, I have to wonder what is the practical difference between a diver getting off the ferry for a single day of diving versus getting off a cruise ship for a single day of diving?

 

[Dan G]

There are many good ops. I recommend looking at one of the "Roll Call" threads, check out the websites of the ops you see mentioned there, and contact the handful ops that appeal to you. Ask them the questions you ask in your OP and go with whoever works for you. If you want to dive Nitrox, I suggest asking if the op has an analyzer on every one of their boats, so you can analyze the tank(s) when you get picked up.

 

[deepsea21]

Tres Pelicanos gets recommended here quite a bit (and has been my dive op the past 4 years)... 8 minute walk to 3P's shop from the ferry pier. Small boats, Scubapro equipment maintained by the shop manager who is a Scubapro certified tech. AM dives depart the shop at 7:40 AM (courtesy transport to the boats and back is provided) and afternoon dives depart around 12:30PM I believe? Perhaps someone can comment on the time the afternoon transport to the boats leave the shop. Contact Jeanie through Tres Pelicanos' website with your schedule and she'll immediately respond whether or not your schedule will work with them, if they have availability, and how the boats are looking for afternoon dives. Depending on the time of year, afternoon boats aren't always going out if there isn't the demand for them. Scuba Diving Cozumel -Dive Packages-Top Rated Cozumel Dive Shop

Just a thought, if you are traveling solo it may be nice to book a room in town on the island for the night before your dives. Coz is a very different experience from PDC and is definitely worth spending some more time time topside than just viewing it as a day dive excursion from PDC. You can find great rooms at great hotels in August for around $45 taxes included and depending on where you stay that will include a light breakfast to a massive breakfast buffet (thinking Suites Colonial or Bahia Suites). Come over the day before, have some time to walk around, eat, drink and relax. Pack up the next AM and leave your travel bags at the dive shop while you go diving. Back to PDC with your travel bag. Easy, relaxed, see/experience more and not be rushed for an extra $45 for a room for the night? That's an easy decision in my book.

If you tend to hang shallower like I do, no need for Nitrox as most all dives offer multi level, gradually ascending dive profiles and by hanging shallower. I never hit ND limits or run low on air before the deeper divers on Nitrox do and I almost ALWAYS see 1HR+ bottom times with 3P's.

I agree with ReefHound, Aldora get's its share of recommendations here and is also a top rated op but after owner Dave's rant about cruse ship divers and his subsequent refusal to serve them I'm not sure you want to consider that op. I mean, the ferry you are taking may as well be a cruise ship as you aren't on the island the afternoon before or waking up on the island the day of your diving.

 

[jiazzi]

Thanks so much deepsea21 for the in depth info!!! Also thanks for the context about cruise ship divers, etc as I had no idea what was in reference to nor did I want to open a can of worms - thanks for satiating my curiosity LOL. I've enjoyed the island of Cozumel for a week long dive vacation in the past but this time, I'm exploring PDC and Tulum which I've never been to but missed diving Coz . Wanted to squeeze in a day as I have not found diving in/around the Carribbean as vibrant and diverse...kinda surprising considering I've been to Belize and Roatan and they're practically next door neighbors.

 

[horn34]

I've been diving with Aldora for a couple of years and always staying in Playa. They should easily be able to accommodate you. The earliest ferry leaves Playa at 7am, and there is almost no way you can be at any dive shop before 8am.

I rode the ferry over three times this past May and the earliest I was ever able to make it to the Aldora dock was 7:50am. That's probably not going to work with most dive shops that leave at 7:30-7:40.

 

[Streydog]

I am planning on spending some time in Playa soon and this is what I thought about doing to get some diving in. Arrange a 2 tank twilight/night dive one evening and a two tank morning dive the following morning. Stay in an inexpensive hotel as mentioned before.