Dive shop for solo, <7 dive

[tooez]

I'll be in Cozumel in April 4-10. I'm going with my girl for the first time and we are pretty excited about it. Help me look for some good dive shops. I'm pretty new to scuba diving but doesn't mean I need babysitting. I'm looking for the dive shop that carry good rental equipments and carry small group of ppl. My girl is not diving so its going to be just me.

I'm also looking for snorkeling trip for my girl. It would be nice if I can do with same dive shop after my morning dive trip. Point me in the right direction guys.

Thanks

 

[JohnN]

I'll be in Cozumel in April 4-10. I'm going with my girl for the first time and we are pretty excited about it. Help me look for some good dive shops. I'm pretty new to scuba diving but doesn't mean I need babysitting. I'm looking for the dive shop that carry good rental equipments and carry small group of ppl. My girl is not diving so its going to be just me.

I'm also looking for snorkeling trip for my girl. It would be nice if I can do with same dive shop after my morning dive trip. Point me in the right direction guys.

Thanks

<7 dives? And you want to dive solo? Really?

Darwin Awards. Chlorinating The Gene Pool.

If that is your experience level, you don't know what you don't know

 

[nodakdive]

I'll be in Cozumel in April 4-10. I'm going with my girl for the first time and we are pretty excited about it. Help me look for some good dive shops. I'm pretty new to scuba diving but doesn't mean I need babysitting. I'm looking for the dive shop that carry good rental equipments and carry small group of ppl. My girl is not diving so its going to be just me.

I'm also looking for snorkeling trip for my girl. It would be nice if I can do with same dive shop after my morning dive trip. Point me in the right direction guys.

Thanks

I read your post to mean that you don't have any diving buddies there with you at the same time. Not a problem, you'll meet people on the boat with any shop you choose.

As to having the same shop you dive with take you and your girlfriend out for snorkeling, ask the shops about that when you make inquiries.

There are many great dive operations to choose from. Everyone has their favorite/s. Search this forum for dive shop reviews.

I dive with Deep Blue and like them just fine. Other names you'll hear: Aldora, Living Underwater, Blue XTC, Tres Pelicanos, Blue Angel, Dive Paradise, etc.

Personally, I'd suggest doing a snorkel trip with a snorkel operator instead of with a dive operation. One other note, to give much of a recommendation, people will want to know what you're looking for in an op, where you're staying, big boat/small boat, tank size you'd like, etc.

 

[tooez]

<7 dives? And you want to dive solo? Really?

Darwin Awards. Chlorinating The Gene Pool.

If that is your experience level, you don't know what you don't know

haha I meant I don't have a dive buddy with me for this trip.

I dive with Deep Blue and like them just fine. Other names you'll hear: Aldora, Living Underwater, Blue XTC, Tres Pelicanos, Blue Angel, Dive Paradise, etc.

Personally, I'd suggest doing a snorkel trip with a snorkel operator instead of with a dive operation. One other note, to give much of a recommendation, people will want to know what you're looking for in an op, where you're staying, big boat/small boat, tank size you'd like, etc.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm staying at Park Royal. Small boat means less people? For the tanks size, I just started diving last year and I'm not sure what I need.

 

[Steve_C]

Solo is one of those words that has special meanings in the world of SB. It usually means buddyless below the surface and not above.

 

[tooez]

Solo is one of those words that has special meanings in the world of SB. It usually means buddyless below the surface and not above.

I stand corrected. Sorry, I didn't mean diving alone.

 

[MMM]

You aren't too far from Blue Angel. There is decent snorkelling there and a good dive shop. I would look into diving with them. When you come back, you can rinse your gear and store it (I think you need to supply your own lock) and meet your gf for lunch, a beverage, snorkel, hang out by the pool etc. in fact, if at all possible, I would try to switch my accommodations to there.

p.s. I knew what you meant by "solo". I don't have a regular built-in buddy either.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Your going to have a great time regardless who you choose. I really like Blue Magic and Dive With Martin, but there are probably 25 top operators in Coz and many many more that just aren't as popular. Once your on the boat, you will be buddied up with someone...this will be a loose buddy system for the most part unless you get with someone that takes it more seriously. On our last trip, we dove with two single divers and they were never even remotely close together. One was almost attached to the DM and the other was always the last in the group, way to far away to render assistance if needed. Best advice would be stick close to the DM.

Its is going to be tough to find weight integrated BCD's, weight integrated in Coz means weight jammed in Velcro cargo pockets so plan on a weight belt or bring your own BC.

im a big guy, new diver, and I LOVE my air. 100 cf tanks are a must in order to get the dive times others get with the standard Al 80. I believe Aldora uses steel tanks if you need a lot of weight.

i have a post on this site about the differences in dive operators that you might want to read and email several dive ops in advance to have all your questions answered before you get there. I posted it below. Biggest differences are where they leave from and where they do their surface interval.

Most operators will allow snorkel divers to go along, but most dive sites arent that great for snorkeling. She will be wet, and be able to see divers and fish, but it will be a long way down. You might consider chartering your own boat so you only go to the sites that are good for both when she wants to snorkel.

have fun, safe travels.

jay

Everyone has their favorite...and everyone is right.

Most ops will let you charter your own boat with a minimum of 4 divers. We did that with Dive with Martin and it was only $10 more each for the 2 tank trip. The benefit was the boat was waiting on us when we arrived and we were in control of the day. We were all brand new divers and we did not have to worry about an advanced diver having to go on lower risk dives with us. For the situation we were in, it worked out better than perfect and we had an awesome first Caribbean dive. Dive With Martin runs out of the International Pier which may be convenient. I believe they will store your gear for multiple day dives. they are one of the oldest dive operators on the Island and have lasted for good reason.

Most operators will use the smaller "6 Pack" boats so # of divers should not be a problem if you do not charter your own. We dove with Blue Magic in January and had a great trip. They took care of all our gear so we did not have to lug it back and forth which made it very nice. they run out of the Caletta Marina which is far south of town. They usually leave from their dive shop and pay for the cab to the marina, but if you are close to the marina, I'm sure you could meet them there. If your resort has a pier, they may be able to pick you up there.

Most of the operations are very close in service and price but here are a few differences you may want to ask about. Email several operators in advance so you can have all the details worked out.

1. Big boat or small boat, max # of divers, back roll entry or giant stride
2. Where do they leave from, can they pick you up at an alternate pier?
3. Surface interval- On the boat, at a beach, or at a beach club?
4. Tanks- aluminum or steel and what size is available
5. Computer dives or time limits- Surface as a group or with your buddy based on personal computers/ air remaining?
6. Rental BCD- Weight integrated or weight belt?
7. Time of departure
8. Night dives? Book one if you haven't!!

All of the operators listed have good reputations and I personally know people that have used most of then with great reports. I do not know if Blue XTsea has been listed but Christy is the owner and a frequent contributor to this board. I plan on giving her a shot on our next trip.

Don't forget a surface signal device and SMB. On one drift dive our group of 6 divers were scattered over quiet a distance. I had to duck behind a corral head for my wife to catch up and we spent the rest of the dive with one of us holding the others BCD D-ring. Lots of fun, but easy to see how divers get scattered too.

While your there, please drink a Bohemia Obscura (or 10) for me, eat the scallops at Guidos, and Alex at the Thirsty Cougar makes the best mojito I've ever had (order it shaken and strained)

Safe travels!!

Jay

 

[nodakdive]

Across the street from the Park Royal, and just a little north, like 100 feet, is Scuba Shack. You'll see Ernesto's Fajita Factory right across the street from the Park Royal, and Scuba Shack is the next building north. I've been diving with them, and they do a great job. It's super convenient too, as they have lockers and extremely easy boat access. Roberta, the owner, and her staff are really nice people and easy to work with.

Roberta will also be able to give you good info on snorkeling and help you get that figured out for you and your girlfriend. Her hotel, Tan Kah Village is right next to the Park Royal. She's a small boat operation with Al 80 tanks. (I'm sure you can get 100's if you'd like.) All you have to do to get on the boat is walk across the street. You'll have to haul your equipment from the locker to the boat, but that's about 30 feet.

Couldn't be more convenient for where you're staying if you want to dive with a "boutique" type shop. Oh, and when I was diving with them, she was putting these amazing coffee cakes on the boat for the SI.

Scuba Shack Cozumel / Village Tan Kah - roberta@scubashackcoz.com

 

[DjDiverDan]

Staying at Park Royal, you'll be very close to Dive with Martin, an op that I have dived with many times and I like them. They have bigger boats, but only put 6 or 7 divers in the water with a DM at a time. Also, it will include equipment in the cost of the dive. I always bring my own gear, but others I've been with never had any problem with their rental gear. DWM is a very good low budget operator, and will take good care of you. If you want a higher price, higher service Dive Op, where you can get Steel 120 tanks (lots of extra air, much better, IMO, buoyancy characteristics), very long bottom times, long SI at a beach club, great DMs, I highly recommend Aldora. There are others, like Blue XTSea, Living Underwater, Tres Pelicanos, etc., that will also provide very good service small group dives, and all will pick you up at or very near Park Royal.