Diving Cozumel from Mainland: Advice?

[slingshot]

Hi folks:

I'll be in the Mayakoba area in January, just north of Playa Del Carmen, and hope to do some dives in Cozumel, my second dive trip to the area. Does anyone have recommendations as to how best to get in dives on Cozumel when staying on the mainland? I'm obliged to do my diving by day trip via the ferry. Are there buses or public transit from the Mayakoba resorts? Also, if you have had good dives or been with good dive ops on the mainland coast, I'm interested in hearing about them. I've been to Dos Ojos and may do some more cenotes if time allows, but I mainly want to figure out how to work in some ocean dives.

Thanks,
Slingshot

 

[slingshot]

Aldora is apparently running a late boat for mainland folks, but I have to look into it.

 

[scubawife]

A friend of mine is diving with Living Underwater in a couple weeks. He's staying in Playa and told me the Jeremy is coming to Playa to pick him up. Not sure how early that pick-up will be, or if there is an extra charge for the service.

There are also some shops based on Playa that run boats over to dive Cozumel.

 

[ScubaGir1]

We stayed in Cozumel and dove with Scuba Du at the Presidente Hotel. They were GREAT! If all else fails, and can take the ferry from main land, to Cozumel, and a taxi ride to the Presidente Hotel and dive with Scuba Du. http://www.scubadu.com/ But there's got to be dive boats on main land...

On one of the dives with Scuba Du, they took us to main land (or close to it) and we dove at Tortugas Bay (near Playa Del Carmen). That was really nice. Saw lots of turtles, spong, corals, etc.

 

[tomcat114]

From what I have read on different threads. If you know when and where and with who you would like to use as a dive charter. There will be plenty of people who will be more then willing to accommodate you. I would say send a few emails to lock down dates and work on the times and put your money down.

 

[DandyDon]

The ferry runs at 6am from Pdc to Coz arriving Coz before 7, if I am correct. I took the 5am out of Coz the other day, slept all the way, didn't really notice what time I got off, but you can make a 8am boarding with almost anyone. Just set it up in advance.

Ferry is $10 for tourist, Cab fare to Blue Angel will be $4 for a tourist or much higher to the Presidente and the Marina.

 

[slingshot]

Is there a "rush hour" on the morning or evening ferries? I seem to remember two ferry companies, any reason to choose one over the other? Thanks for the input on Scuba Du, Liquid Blue, and Blue Angel. I'm curious about the Living Underwater folks meeting your friend in PDC, unless one of their DMs commutes.

 

[scubaag03]

The ferry runs at 6am from Pdc to Coz arriving Coz before 7, if I am correct. I took the 5am out of Coz the other day, slept all the way, didn't really notice what time I got off, but you can make a 8am boarding with almost anyone. Just set it up in advance.

Ferry is $10 for tourist, Cab fare to Blue Angel will be $4 for a tourist or much higher to the Presidente and the Marina.

How do I come off as a local to the cab drivers?

 

[Jinjer]

If you take the 6 AM ferry from Playa del Carmen you will be in Cozumel at 6:30 AM. It is only a 30 minute ride. There is no real advantage of taking one ferry company over the other. The only plus would be if they are running the double hull (catamaran) at that hour. It tends to be a little faster, but only by a few minutes.

If you take the 6 AM ferry, you should be able to dive with anyone on the island. I don't think anyone goes out before 7 AM. I know that Aldora leaves the pier downtown at 7:30 AM.

 

[DandyDon]

How do I come off as a local to the cab drivers?

Speak Spanish well and go for it. The locals pay only a little more than half what we do on the ferry.