Diving recommendations for Cozumel

[Snoweman]

I have been using a Suunto for a while and even though it is more conservative than my GEO, I am able to average close to 80 minute dives with it, even surfacing with a group of Aldora divers.

OK, but at what depth?

 

[Snoweman]

Yup. Near as I can tell, that was the issue however there may have been other divers low on air, or also having NDL issues. Just what I gathered back on the boat after talking to a couple of the divers. The thing about both dive sites is that you are diving at an average depth of 70-80 feet, more or less. So nitrox is better all around. But you are still going to hit NDL limits, depending on your computer, if you are good on air. Some are more forgiving and some are not. This is more easily handled in the south where there are lots of dive boat who can identify you and signal your boat to pick you up. Not so much in the north. So when one diver has hit their NDL limit, everyone needs to start their way up.

My problem wouldn't be hitting my NDL, but SAC. I haven't dived with a 120 cf tank, but I am lucky to get about 55 minutes off a 100 cf tank. I take it you have the same problem with the current as in the south - the shallower you are, the faster you go. Is that correct?

 

[divingjd]

My problem wouldn't be hitting my NDL, but SAC. I haven't dived with a 120 cf tank, but I am lucky to get about 55 minutes off a 100 cf tank. I take it you have the same problem with the current as in the south - the shallower you are, the faster you go. Is that correct?

That might be true, but the dive sites are just plain deeper up north. There are no shallower parts of the reefs. If you go shallower, you’re in the middle of the water column.

 

[MMM]

My problem wouldn't be hitting my NDL, but SAC. I haven't dived with a 120 cf tank, but I am lucky to get about 55 minutes off a 100 cf tank. I take it you have the same problem with the current as in the south - the shallower you are, the faster you go. Is that correct?

We were all diving at the same depth and fairly close together... important to do up north to prevent separation. I suppose current speed may be different at shallower depths but have not tested that theory. I was using a 95 cubic foot tank but some of the others had 120s.

 

[MMM]

It really depends on your profile and that is possible when the dive is multilevel. Harder to do with a square profile on a deepish site like Barracuda, San Juan or Maracaibo Shallows.

I have been using a Suunto for a while and even though it is more conservative than my GEO, I am able to average close to 80 minute dives with it, even surfacing with a group of Aldora divers.

 

[Streydog]

It really depends on your profile and that is possible when the dive is multilevel. Harder to do with a square profile on a deepish site like Barracuda, San Juan or Maracaibo Shallows.

Totally agree. When diving those sites, as well as Punta Sur the dives are shorter but doable without causing the group to surface early due to my NDL.

 

[deepsea21]

the shallower you are, the faster you go. Is that correct?

Yes, generally that is correct which is why people don't want to be under weighted or dilly dallying on the surface when the group is descending... they'll get blown way ahead of the group, have to drop down and wait for the group to catch up.

 

[ggunn]

Yes, generally that is correct which is why people don't want to be under weighted or dilly dallying on the surface when the group is descending... they'll get blown way ahead of the group, have to drop down and wait for the group to catch up.

I think the opposite may be true on dives like Barracuda where the flow is squeezed over the top of the reef.

 

[Todd Reulbach]

Have talked a bunch to 3P’s - seem very good, very friendly. Has anyone dealt with/ dove with Scuba Life Cozumel?

 

[sefuchs]

I have been diving with SubaLife Cozumel for the last couple years and I think they are fantastic. I’ve dove with several of the ops mentioned frequently on this board and they are good and wouldn’t hesitate diving with them again but for us nobody beats the guys at ScubaLife.