Dive Ops with "Giant Stride" entry boats

[gt2003]

Headed down in 12 days. Flip flopping on whether to just "wing it" on operators when we get there because we want to dive on our own schedule. My wife prefers a boat where we can do a giant stride into the water. We dove with Dive Paradise last time and it was OK. I can't remember the name of the other boat we did a single dive on but it was a giant stride entry as well. So, what are some operators you all would recommend? If our experience is good we will dive with them for all of our dives and are hoping to get in a night dive as well.

I was there a number of years ago with the operator that is across from Casa Del Mar but not sure if they are still there or not. Thanks Folks!

 

[ReefHound]

I'm not sure why giant stride is the determining factor as the backroll is just as easy once you do it a few times, but any larger boat will likely be a giant stride. That would include most of the house ops at AI resorts like Prodive or Dressel.

 

[gt2003]

It's the wife's 2nd visit to Cozumel. Her 1st dive this trip will be her 4th drift dive total (although she has done a lot of lake diving). She is currently more comfortable on the bigger boats so that's where I'm coming from. Once she gets comfortable with the whole scene she will be unstoppable and our options will increase substantially!

 

[scubadada]

It's the wife's 2nd visit to Cozumel. Her 1st dive this trip will be her 4th drift dive total (although she has done a lot of lake diving). She is currently more comfortable on the bigger boats so that's where I'm coming from. Once she gets comfortable with the whole scene she will be unstoppable and our options will increase substantially!

I love diving with my wife. Her favorite destination is Bonaire, who's to argue. We've spent nearly 4 weeks there in two trips since last December.

 

[uncfnp]

It's the wife's 2nd visit to Cozumel. Her 1st dive this trip will be her 4th drift dive total (although she has done a lot of lake diving). She is currently more comfortable on the bigger boats so that's where I'm coming from. Once she gets comfortable with the whole scene she will be unstoppable and our options will increase substantially!

There are so many good operators and if you are not set on any single one I think you will be fine to “wing it.”

That said, tell your wife that I too was very leery of the back roll, giant stride was all I knew. And I admit that my first few rolls were challanging, lost fin, displaced wing elbow. But now it is my absolute favorite “way to roll!”

 

[ibj40]

I was there a number of years ago with the operator that is across from Casa Del Mar but not sure if they are still there or not. Thanks Folks!

That used to be Del Mar Aquatics, one of the first operators to get what I consider a "cattle boat". They bought the "Big Splash" sometime in the late 80's/early 90's, and then bought another one identical to it.

We used to stay at Casa Del Mar and dive with them when they were using their prior, smaller boats, but changed when the diving became you and a couple dozen of your closest friends.

 

[Manatee Diver]

When I dived with Pro Dive it was all giant stride on their Cozumel boats.

I back rolled, because... reasons... and it wasn't as pleasant.

 

[DjDiverDan]

Personally, I now prefer the back roll — IF everyone is paying attention! The only time I ever had a problem was when someone backrolled right on top of me. Because it is hard to see behind you, you need to get the OK to go from the crew member organizing the entry. If you are one closer to the front of the boat, and the boat is heading into the current, you will start drifting toward the back of the boat when you enter — and you’ll be immediately behind other divers waiting to enter. If another diver wasn’t paying attention during the briefing, and doesn’t wait for the go sign from the crew, you might find a diver, tank first, coming down on you. I avoid that by keeping my BCD empty, descending about 3-feet immediately upon entry, and kicking away from the boat.

 

[JulieM]

I highly recommend Careyitos Advanced Divers. They have a great boat and serve the best lunch during the 1.5 hour SI. They also allow you to dive your tank which is important to us. We have been diving with them for 15 years. Check out their reviews on TripAdvisor. They are accurate. If you have any questions, please email me. They do a giant stride. Also important is the head on the boat plus shade or sun whatever you prefer. Simply the best operator we have used. You will not be disappointed.

 

[gt2003]

Interesting. That's the 1st I've heard of them. Boat looks nice, Bio's sound good. Will definitely put them on the list!