Diving Cozumel -- Should I???

[likestodive]

I have had the fortune of diving in some great locations elsewhere in the world, but always manage to get some decent diving and have a good time in Cozumel too. Contrary to some of what is posted here, there are some great places to 'hang out' in Cozumel. As long as you don't go expecting to likely see whalesharks, mantas, clownfish, schooling hammerheads, etc (there are better places for that - every location is known for something) there is some fine diving. You will see some great walls, some unique wildlife, great visibility, good drift diving, friendly people, eat good food, and find a good time if you are looking for it. I'll definitely go again. And again after that.

 

[Scubagolf]

I have been to Cozumel four separate weeks in the last 7 years. We (diving spouse and I) love it. Laid back, good restaurants, in my opinion pretty darn safe, and very good, if not great diving. Also, a very inexpensive week.

 

[TSandM]

If you have the opportunity to dive there, I certainly wouldn't give it a pass. Cozumel has extraordinarily clear water (the best viz I think I've ever seen, outside of a cave). The walls are impressive and the topography can be dramatic. There is a fair amount of color, and a reasonable number of reef fish. I have to admit that the night dives were my favorites, by far.

We are not night life people. But we did find some excellent food in San Miguel, especially once you get off the marina drive, and if you are brave enough to go into some of the clearly non-tourist places. The weather was lovely, and I felt safe everywhere we went, even walking after dark.

I'm not sure I understand why people go back there year after year after year, but it was certainly worth diving once.

 

[Doc Harry]

I'm not sure I understand why people go back there year after year after year, but it was certainly worth diving once.

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Going to Cozumel every year is one of the highlights of my existence. When you get to Cozumel you won't want to do anything but dive.

Who said San Miguel isn't a great place to hang out? If you're the partying type, there are plenty of swinging bars to hang out with the cruise boat crowds.

If you're dragging along a ball-and-chain, there are millions of shops for her to go shopping and run up your credit card.

And if you just want some good food, there are more restaurants than you can ever sample.

My girlfriend and I just dive, dive, dive.

EDIT: Oh, yeah, and then there's the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Coba

 

[Sask Diver]

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Going to Cozumel every year is one of the highlights of my existence.

If you're dragging along a ball-and-chain, there are millions of shops for her to go shopping and run up your credit card.

.My girlfriend and I just dive, dive, dive.

I can see where this can get expensive for you

 

[Dhboner]

There is some decent diving off of Cozumel, mostly drift diving. San Miguel is your typical Mexican or Central/South American slum though there are some half-decent hotels and retaurants to be found if you look hard. Beware of the Canuks, they are everywhere. If you like to drift dive, eat and get drunk you'll like the place. Personally, unless I were looking for a place to get some sun and relax and blow half a grand on an airlines flight, I'd go somewhere else with more interesting diving.

So what exactly is wrong with "the Canuks".

Bob (Toronto...that's in Canada you know)

 

[RonzoTheGreat]

i love coz. . . i can easily understand why some people don't constantly return.
if you dont like drift diving, um .... dont dive ;-)
night dives are sick especially with lights off ...
the beauty of the drift dive is that if you have a clue about drift diving, your SAC rate goes through the basement because you don't need to fin A T A L L
i don't pay much attention to night life when on a dive trip because i like to dive early morning and at night ... but when we did frequent the town, they had nice parties in the town square that were nothing short of fiestas
taking an excursion across the channel into the cenotes is a HUGE mistake to pass up if you are not a cave diver.... if you are, than you wouldn't even be having this conversation
the mayan ruins are excellent and most recently i believe all pyramids have been closed to hikers with the exception of coba
if you are "in the area of" coz, how can $200 be considered taking a chance anyway? wow ...

oh and one other thing, i saw another member was at occidental grand .... ADORE that place.... although it was even better 3 years back, steady decline over the past 2.

 

[Doc Harry]

I just spent a month is Australia... even did a week-long live-aboard on the Great Barrier Reef.

I thought Cozumel was at least as good as the Great Barrier Reef. You don't have the whales and all the sharks in Cozumel, like you do on the Great Barrier Reef, but the night dives in Cozumel are infinitely better.

Cozumel rocks!

 

[Ozwald]

Rick from Winnipeg.....also in Canada.

I dare not stereotype.....I know a lot of very cool people south of the border but obviously there are exceptions.

 

[RTee]

Cozumel...I was there in March 2009 and enjoyed diving an entire week with Sand Dollar Sports based at the Wyndham. Enjoyed the dives, the hotel and the operator. As a matter of fact, I will be returning there in two weeks to dive with my girlfriend who has not been there yet...this time with Dressels Divers out of the Iberostar. While there might be great places to party in St Miguel I think most folks choose to go there for the diving experience while others may prefer hitting Cancun and Riviera Maya for the sun, beaches and partying.
What do I get in return...well she will guide me diving Bonaire next winter for two weeks.