Exploration in Cozumel

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Aldora Adventures


Aldora Divers continues to expand the horizon of diving opportunities in Cozumel beyond the traditional confines of the Marine Park. As of March 15, 2014 we now can offer serious possibilities for discovery and excitement for the very experienced diver…that is Aldora Adventures.

As you may know Aldora opened up diving on the eastside of Cozumel several years ago and has allowed its divers to explore very interesting and pristine sites, and do so when no others in Cozumel can dive at all.

More recently Aldora opened its Polar Express service, which offers the opportunity to enjoy pristine dives to the north- west part of the island which has proven very popular, especially with those who wish to partake in underwater hunting.

Aldora Adventures is another big leap forward in excitement and exploration.

It started with the discovery of large Caribbean Reef sharks that seem to be in a catatonic state, while remaining stationary in a cave. Such as the semi mythical “Cave of the Sleeping Sharks” that once existed near Isla Mujeres. That is behavior that these sharks physiologically should not be able to do.

Subsequently Aldora has been able to locate four more such locations nearby and has identified several other areas of interest that deserve more exploration. We can guaranty that the sun will come up tomorrow, but we cannot guaranty that the sharks will be there, even though we have seen them on all 25 trips to the area. However we can guaranty that those fortunate to visit the area will enjoy a spectacular and unique diving experience.




Thus Aldora Adventures will now provide guided services to these areas, but only for the most experienced and capable divers. The reason is that these locations are well north of the tip of Cozumel Island and out in the open ocean where waves and currents can be strong, and little support or help can be available, other than what Aldora itself brings along. The following will describe the equipment and procedures that will be utilized.

Equipment

The boat used will have redundant engines and electrical systems, as well as communication radios that can also display GPS coordinates of each diver’s location when on the surface.

The boat will also carry extensive first aid equipment and large oxygen tanks, that is as well as all standard safety equipment, and of course the boat will receive much greater preventive maintenance attention and only leave port if in tip top condition.

Each diver will be issued a Nautilus UW GPS/Radio with which to communicate and signal the position to the boat and in emergency mode broadcast to the Mexican Coast Guard. Each diver must also have their own SMB and means of deploying it while underwater. Each Diver will be given a Jon line and Reef hook and briefed on their use.

All divers must be Nitrox certified and use Nitrox tanks to be provided for most dives.

Divers

All divers must be disciplined and have demonstrated to Aldora that they have great buoyancy skills, confidence, and fitness with the ability to swim against currents for extended periods. In addition they must have demonstrated to Aldora that they are capable of safely deploying the SMB while underwater.

No cameras or video equipment will be allowed to protect both the divers and keep the environment pristine. Each diver will be given a professionally produced DVD of the dive sites and sleeping sharks.

General Procedures

Each dive group will consist of a maximum of 4 divers and two dive guides. The initial drop will be by one DM who makes sure that the location is correct, that the currents are not crazy and then return to the surface where the rest of the group will descend together.

BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF STRONG SWIRLING CURRENTS, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE GROUP STAY IN CLOSE CONTACT DUING THE ENTIRE DIVE

Once at the bottom each diver will be checked at a place some distance from the Shark Cave to make sure that all have adequate air supplies, are comfortable and ready to proceed. One DM will then enter the cave to make sure that it is occupied by a shark. That is while one DM stays with the group outside.

Then, one at a time a diver will enter the cave with the DM, being careful not to disturb the shark, and certainly getting no closer to the shark than is the DM. After a short period the diver will return to the group and the others will take their turn.

After viewing the sharks, the group will then explore the rest of the reef, looking out for the frequent squadrons of spotted eagle rays, pristine corals and sponges. Given that all of this dive will be a flat profile at depth the dive time, even with Nitrox, will be in the order of 45 minutes or less.

During the entire dive one DM will have a float on the surface to aid the boat captain in following the group,; that is unless the boat is anchored.



AGAIN, IT IS VITAL THAT THE GROUP STAY TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY DURING THE ASCENT.


Each trip will include 3 dives and include lunch and water, basically taking the entire day.

The cost will be $197 per diver plus taxes but there is no Marine Park fee. Weather will determine if we can safely make such trips, and the go/no go decision can be made on an hourly basis.

Keep in mind that as of March 15, 2014 we have had only 2 months of exploration, and not everyday. We know that Caribbean Reef sharks are usually found here but not always do we find them sleeping. However, even without sharks all of these sites offer absolutely pristine excitement.

Identified Dive Sites


El Puente (the bridge)

The El Puente site is where we first encountered a sleeping shark. The max depth is 106 ft with an average of about 90 feet above the coral, thus nitrox 32 will be used for this site. The area where we found the shark is more like the underpass of a freeway, not so much a cave, thus the name El Puente

Arches

The Arches reef is where we found another sleeping shark, but the shark is not the only interesting thing there. One rainbow shaped arch is at least 30 ft at its base, but only about 3 ft in diameter. No one has been able to explain how coral could grow in such a fashion. The maximum depth is 92 ft.




La Loma (the Hill)

The La Loma formation is much like a mound or small hill. A sleeping shark can be seen here under a ledge of the coral head, not in a cave. We have seen large schools of Eagle Rays here but that may be seasonal.

El Puente Dos

El Puente Dos is a deep dive with a very long and dark cave in which we have always seen sharks sleeping. Given the very strong currents at El Puente Dos this site must be restricted to only the very advanced divers. Max depth 100 ft.

La Guarderia (Day Care)

La Garderia is a shallower dive with milder currents and a max depth of 74 ft. Here you will find massive schools of both reef fish and pelagic varieties with low profile coral as a base.

Lamomia Reef

Lamomia Reef is much the same as La Guarderia but slightly shallower.

There remains a number of other sites that offer promise and we will be exploring them to add to this list.

Aldora Divers
 
I would like to do this but this coming June the lds which organized the trip has already booked with a dive op. Maybe on a second trip since this will be my first time on coz and would like to experience the different sites that are offered.
 
In that case, you should give me a discount since I don't have family that would sue you in Texas. Also, that fee should include margaritas and/or beer on the ride back, just because.


Dear Mossman,

With three tanks of nitrox, three dives, lunch included for an all day adventure where no one else has gone before, that is $15 more than regular trips down south. Yesterday there was no current at all, but we have to be safe rather than sorry. My guess is that we will eventually find the currents to be the same as down south (un predictable this time of year) and it may be no big thing…but we will change as we better understand the conditions. But for now, we don't want any hungover divers whose family may sue me in Texas.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers
 
In that case, you should give me a discount since I don't have family that would sue you in Texas. Also, that fee should include margaritas and/or beer on the ride back, just because.

Oh, there are margaritas on the way back? Can I reserve now?
 
EDIT:
DD Beat me to the cutting and pasting of the word Document
---------- Post added March 9th, 2014 at 11:59 PM ----------


I can't wait. If I can't take pics I'm bringing the sling to help fill Sallye's stringer for dinner. Have sling, will travel...
This is why I have dove and continue to dive with Aldora over the years
Thanks Dave!!!
 
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Dave, you lost me at "kicking against currents" too. While I do love shark adventure and pristine sites and have the experience and confidence and have even kicked against currents as recently as 2 months ago . . .phew, I'm just not that strong. :(

The price is more than right though!!
 
If you have dove the northern sites you'll have a good idea what is required of diver skill and equipment. Call the Aldora shop and have them evaluate your skills for a day of diving before booking these sites (this is for your safety). If your not comfortable with the requirements, by all means stay with the OP/sites your comfortable with.
 
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Dave, you lost me at "kicking against currents" too. While I do love shark adventure and pristine sites and have the experience and confidence and have even kicked against currents as recently as 2 months ago . . .phew, I'm just not that strong. :(

The price is more than right though!!

I think that did get my attention too. I hope it is just a case of being overly caution in the selection of divers?
 
Dang... Looks like we are out. Too much of everything, not a huge fan of being out on a boat for hours on end. Plus our 12 year old, we'll stick to the park.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
I think that did get my attention too. I hope it is just a case of being overly caution in the selection of divers?
That's the way I took it too. I think this being so new Dave just wants to disclose as much info as possible to avoid surprises. The dive conditions don't sound terribly advanced, but it's nice to see somebody covering as much of the contingencies as Dave does, just demonstrates again how safety minded Aldora is and how much they think out everything in advance. You can tell they are putting a lot of thought into this and are considering the what if's and worst case scenarios. The distant and isolated location seem to be a major factor in the conservative planning and requirements, which is as it should be and I wish more dive operations world wide operated more like them.
 
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