Doing my Open Water dives in Cozumel-Any recs?

[Adrouault]

I am a novice here. I've done my eLearning, finished that today with the exam.
I was supposed to go to Guadeloupe to do these dives during my fiancée's vacation time, but as it is also the school vacation time in mainland France, it's turning out to be impossible to find any sort of decent lodging options. This is for 7 days in early January. I am now looking at Cozumel since lodging options are far more numerous, and at a much lower price point.

I am wondering if anyone knows of any good PADI operators in Cozumel, with whom I can do my dives, both confined and open water.

And if not, is there another place you'd recommend going during this time?
Thanks!

 

[mediumone]

I am a novice here. I've done my eLearning, finished that today with the exam.
I was supposed to go to Guadeloupe to do these dives during my fiancée's vacation time, but as it is also the school vacation time in mainland France, it's turning out to be impossible to find any sort of decent lodging options. This is for 7 days in early January. I am now looking at Cozumel since lodging options are far more numerous, and at a much lower price point.

I am wondering if anyone knows of any good PADI operators in Cozumel, with whom I can do my dives, both confined and open water.

And if not, is there another place you'd recommend going during this time?
Thanks!

I'd get in touch with Blue Magic. Mario, who teaches out of Blue Magic, is a great guy. I've seen him with students, and he's excellent.

As an added bonus, Blue Magic is a full valet shop - provide transportation to the marina, wash and dry your gear, small boats, a shower in the shop, blah, blah, Take a look at their website.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Blue Magic is excellent and they will Treat you like you are family. Pumba, if he is still there, is a legend among divemasters. We dive with Aldora now for the multiple boats, larger tanks, and beach club surface interval. You might also check out Blue XTSea, Christy, the owner, is a member here (along with Dave from Aldora) and frequently contributes to this forum, including providing up to the minute information about what is happening in Cozumel. I have never dove with Tres Pelicanos, but they have a large fan base on this site as well. I can recommend, without hesitation, any of the dive ops listed above.

Good luck, if you go to Cozumel once...you will be back. There is no other place we have ever been in the world quiet like it. The people, the diving, the food, the inexpensive cost of a vacation, and everything else makes it our second home.

Welcome to the addiction!
Jay

 

[Streydog]

By early January do you mean the first week? I would think the dive shops are very busy with many schools being out that week. The sooner you make arrangements the better. Not that it would not be less busy but you might give Roatan a look too. From the US the flights are quite a bit more expensive, you might get better rates.

 

[mediumone]

Blue Magic is excellent and they will Treat you like you are family. Pumba, if he is still there, is a legend among divemasters.
Jay

Yes, he's still there, and yes, he's a legend.

What that guy can do with an AL80.........

 

[Dogbowl]

@Jayfarmlaw or @mediumone , why is Pumba a legend? I’d be interested to know...

 

[mediumone]

@Jayfarmlaw or @mediumone , why is Pumba a legend? I’d be interested to know...

1) Personality. Like Mario, an absolute hoot.
2)What that guy can do with an AL80.........

 

[ggunn]

@Jayfarmlaw or @mediumone , why is Pumba a legend? I’d be interested to know...

At least partly due to his antics. On one dive I was on with him he led us into a swimthrough and after a turn I found him tucked into a grotto pretending to take a nap, and somewhere in my archives I have a photo of him wearing a dead crab for a hat.

 

[ggunn]

Another good place to do your checkout dives would be Blue Angel. Their shop has great access to the water, an outstanding by local standards shore dive, and the A++ instructor Matteo (also known as Matt From Chicago).

 

[Dogbowl]