February or April for Coz diving?

[deepsea21]

I see the OP lives in Wisconsin. If I lived in Wisconsin and endured those winters I think I would base my plan on when I needed to get out of that cold the most. Feb would be my choice. I lived on Boston for 13 years or something and there is something about taking off in the middle of a snow storm and a few hours later walking out the plane door and being in the tropics. Some will say February is too cold in Coz but they don’t live in Boston or Wisconsin!

 

[Jake-The-Snake]

We too are in Wi, and going in February breaks up the monotony of winter.

But if I had my way, I'd do both!

 

[mstevens]

I'd like to add that we don't worry about port closures any more--we just stay longer. Last month we were there for almost 3 weeks so if the port did close we'd still have plenty of opportunities to dive. Next time we are going to stay even longer

This is definitely the cure for Port Closure Anxiety.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

I'd vote for April. Water will be a little warmer (it is a transition month), less crowded than February (which is the highest of high season only because it is so miserable way up north), and much lower chance of port closures, and not yet hurricane season.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[DandyDon]

Biggest differences. February has more risk norte but that time of year also has more eagle rays. We go February every year but only occasionally in April.

And Carnival is in February.

Exactly my feelings. I hate blowouts, but they never last very long - so if I can't dive one day, I'll rent an old VW from Isis and tour the island. I do want to see the Eagle Rays, so I am going February 6. Carnival is the first week of March this year and I'd rather avoid that than pay the extra costs.

 

[sefuchs]

I'd lean towards April, especially if it is a shorter vacation (<10 days). February can be very nice but a higher risk of wet/cooler weather and missing dives due to a Norte. We usually head down 2-3 times a year for about 2 weeks each trip. We don't mind missing 1-2 days diving but if other travelers (especially non-divers) are going with us that have limited travel time we always take them in April/May. The weather is 'usually' more predictable, yes it is hotter and not nearly as many Eagle Rays but less crowds and feels more laid-back (less cruise ships).

That being said the Carnival thing (in Feb) makes for a great trip. One year we did a family trip that spanned 4 generations with divers, non-divers, partiers and old farts and we all had a great time with fantastic weather. The next year most of us went back to repeat the Carnival experience and the weather wasn't very good for an entire week. Didn't bother the divers but the beach bum folks in our group weren't very happy.

 

[DandyDon]

I see the OP lives in Wisconsin. If I lived in Wisconsin and endured those winters I think I would base my plan on when I needed to get out of that cold the most. Feb would be my choice. I lived on Boston for 13 years or something and there is something about taking off in the middle of a snow storm and a few hours later walking out the plane door and being in the tropics. Some will say February is too cold in Coz but they don’t live in Boston or Wisconsin!

Except winter travel can suck. But then, storms delay air travel in April, too. Allow extra days if possible.