Dive Ops in Cabo San Lucas

[scubabum2]

Hello Manta Has been getting some bad reports.I like Baja Dive with the small groups They had current inspections on all of there tanks and the Dive masters were first class.They are easy to find on the marina In the Tesoro resort. www.baja-dive.net

I remember similar posts that this guy made last year. Very unprofessional.

 

[Jcsgt]

I remember similar posts that this guy made last year. Very unprofessional.

Is there any way this could be a TOS violation? I can't remember and don't have time, today, to research it.

 

[justleesa]

hmmm seems like the game is up.....

 

[hdtran]

Is there any way this could be a TOS violation? I can't remember and don't have time, today, to research it.

Although I am neither a moderator nor a SB staff, in my opinion, the postings are not a violation of the TOS (they don't personally attack other folks; don't use abusive language; etc.). However, to me, they are unethical, since they don't disclose the poster's relationship & potential conflict of interest. Another however: I don't want to impose my business ethics on other folks, so I won't.

That said: To the original poster who is looking for recommendations for dive ops:

I will change my original recommendation. While I liked the two Mexican employees at Baja-Dive, I think the shop owners' sense of business ethics do not meet my expectations. Therefore, I would like to change my recommendations, and no longer recommend Baja Dive as a dive op, even though I had a positive experience there in 2004.

I stand by my recommendation of Land's End Divers (positive experience in 2005; see photos in my gallery).

I also stand by my opinions (without personal experience) that most operations in Cabo are quite good, including UD, Deep Blue, Manta, & Amigos Del Mar. I do know one of the instructors at Deep Blue, and give them positive feedback on that basis.

If you are staying at the Finisterra or the Solmar hotel, Amigos Del Mar will be the shop closest to you.

If you are staying at the Costa Real (actually, I think it's Tesoro now; formerly the Plaza Las Glorias), there are a number of dive outfitters in the Marina shops right below the hotel rooms. Use any of them happily (with the exception of my withdrawn recommendation). Ditto if you're staying at a downtown hotel which is not waterfront.

If you are staying on a hotel on Medano beach, such as the Pueblo Bonitos or Villa Del Palmar, etc., you could use Cabo Acuadeportes (in the Hacienda hotel) or Andromeda Divers (near "The Office" or "Billygan's" restaurants on Medano beach).

If you are staying at one of the resorts along the corridor, you can use any of the dive ops mentioned above, as you will likely drive to get to Cabo for your dives. You should check with the hotel concierge or activities manager, to see if they have any deals set up with any dive shop.

My personal experience in 2005 was that you could walk into a dive shop, and say "I'm going to be here for N days." I chose Land's End in 2005 because parking at the Marina was convenient, and they had e-mailed me their instructors' #'s so that I could check the status at PADI (my wife got her OW in 2005). Andromeda had also e-mailed me their instructor's #, and was also up to date, but parking is more difficult there. Land's End offered me (walking in, not pre-negotiated) a nice discount for multiple dives, and a second discount for paying in cash rather than plastic. We paid the last day of our dives (Thursday for a Saturday flight; leaving Friday non-diving). If you have a Bank of America account, you can withdraw funds (in Pesos) from a Santander-Serfin ATM (Santander-Serfin is a fairly large Mexican bank) without paying foreign ATM transaction fees.

To Jcsgt: You've prebooked with Manta. You'll have a great time. Go have a few desserts for me.

To the original poster (Sallas76, I think?) If you like, e-mail each op & discuss your needs & concerns, but don't worry too much. You'll have a great time! And go have a few desserts for me too

To both of you: Water temps are going to be from the high 70s to low 80s F, for the mid-late summer, so consider that when you're packing exposure protection. (For me that's a skin + maybe a shorty). Have a wonderful trip, and I hope you'll post a trip report + maybe some pictures when you return! I wish we could have gone to Mexico this year, but we had other family vacation plans!

 

[NDH]

Thanks hdtran your report is a big help.

 

[divadiver]

Regarding exposure suits, the themoclines can be pretty chilly even in summer. I dive with a 3 mil Henderson stretch and if you dive to the Sand Falls at 90' or the blow hole by Santa Maria, you'll probably hit 60 - 65 degree water. Also I am heading down the same time frame and UD already has some days booked up due to the cruise ships and it seems to becoming a popular time of year for tourists. Might be safer to check availability before you go rather than being disappointed.

 

[Jcsgt]

Hello Manta Has been getting some bad reports.I like Baja Dive with the small groups They had current inspections on all of there tanks and the Dive masters were first class.They are easy to find on the marina In the Tesoro resort. www.baja-dive.net

You know, had you not posted this in the manner in which you did, I would have probably given Baja a shot. My vacation down there in September is with my travel agent, who will be scouting out operators for future customers. We will not be stopping by Baja on this trip.

 

[seamason]

I just returned from a trip in June and Dove with Underwater Diversions, No problems, No complaints. although they do advertise trips to the Gordo Banks it turns out they seldom go out there anymore. I had posted a trip report when I returned, check it out if you would like.

 

[Jcsgt]

I did read it and thanks!

 

[Baja]

Yes this is Baja Dive; I have this Computer in the shop for our Customers to use free.That post about Manta was posted buy a customer. my Divemaster saw these posts and told me to check it out.So i did for those who are Intrested The group of Divers that Dove with Manta were to make a Dive to 65 ft. and as instructed by there Divemaster to signal when they got to 1000 lbs.When they did this the Divemaster gave the ok sign and then turned and keptgoing deeper.These Divers were not advanced Divers and could not keep up with the Divemaster and made the decision to surface when the outher two divers saw that they were not with the group they also wanted to surface to find there friends. they also were not able to get the Divemasters attencion so they also surfaced alone all surfaced a good distance from the Boat adding to there distress.This is why they dove with us the next day.P.S. I have not sold the shop.