Dive Ops That Will Pick Up at Iberostar?

[Ontwreckdiver]

Scuba Tony picked me up. I just waded out off the beach to get on the boat, no fee, no problems.

 

[Curious_George]

Same here. I always tell Aldora I will meet them on the sand next to the pier at the Occidental. Not paying any dock fee. I also looked at the local dive op and decided not because of limited site choices and short dive times with large groups. Only win is coming back to the dock between dives and free Nitrox - although Nitrox is likely not needed with their short dive times. Some great dive sites are straight out from the hotel which makes for 5-10 minute boat rides on a fast boat.

 

[Charred]

Because it’s Dressel. Cattle boats, scheduled dives and they hire non locals as DMs.

This is partially true. Many of their DMs are Mexicans.

And while their boats are bigger, not sure I would call them cattle boats because people are not crammed on them. You have way more personal space to setup and walk around on their boats than a six pack. It doesnt matter they are slower because their pier is right on top of most of the reefs. Half the time the boat is at the site before people are geared up.

It is also true they dive on a schedule but I also snicker about these comments because you always see the dressel boats right next to the aldoras, 3Ps, etc.

I dive both dressel and in town op depending on the trip and who I am with. Their are pros and cons to each and neither is perfect IMO. Make sure you take advice from people who have dove the op and not just viewed them from a distance.

 

[Brules]

Been going to coz for 25 years I am fully familiar with most of the ops, their pros and cons etc. Moot point now as I booked the Palace lol and will just taxi to marina probably. Thanks all!

 

[GameChanger]

What is the pier fee??? 2 bucks??
Big deal...

 

[ggunn]

What is the pier fee??? 2 bucks??
Big deal...

I agree. If it costs two dollars to get on the boat from the dock rather than wading out to it I'd pay it. Wading out seems like a lot of trouble to avoid a trivial charge.

 

[jonhall]

Agree on the pier fee. When I travel, I expect some incidentals and what SB member doesn't know there is the possibility of a small dock fee in Cozumel? Now going to Sam's Club or the grocery store because a nearby distillery charges $6-8 more for a bottle of it's toasted coconut rum is completely different!

*if you like rum and get the chance to try them, Hard Truth Roasted Coconut Rum and the Toasted Coconut Rum Cream are fantastic.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I agree. If it costs two dollars to get on the boat from the dock rather than wading out to it I'd pay it. Wading out seems like a lot of trouble to avoid a trivial charge.

I has nothing to do with the cost. It's the principle of it, not allowing them to nickel & dime you.
if wading out is that much trouble, you should reconsider diving lol

 

[ggunn]

I has nothing to do with the cost. It's the principle of it, not allowing them to nickel & dime you.
if wading out is that much trouble, you should reconsider diving lol

If the charge were 25 cents would you still wade out to the boat? What if it were 1 peso? If not, where do you draw the line?

I'm not going to the mat over a principle for two bucks, especially when my doing so would have absolutely no effect on the situation. Life is too short and I choose my fights; I don't choose this one. If I were staying there I'd pay the two bucks and use the pier. DSFDF and YMMV.

 

[Kimela]

I think Scuba With Alison picks up there.