Hello from Arizona

[BomberoDiver]

Well, I a new diver and only been to Catalina Island in Cali, and Lake Havasu, AZ for treasure hunting and only have a handful dives under my belt. So yes, I 'm a rookie to SCUBA. Although, I have been familiar with the concept of self-contained breathing for a while working in the fire service. Its a whole new puppy SCUBA, but I think there are similarities when it comes to safety. But enough about me.
I found this website just searching for reviews for Cancun and Cozumel in yahoo.com and I loved this site for reviews. I'm going to be traveling to Cancun May 29 for 16 days and plan to dive with my wife, so the "Cancun" anxiety is there. I think this site is great for all those divers like me who can't wait and want to find the best way to take advantage of our time when we go on our trip. I want to do night diving, Cozumel diving, and I heard that there were some sort of arrangements with certain diving ops for unlimited shore diving so that is what mostly interests me. If you guys have any information on this, I would greatly appreciate your replies, and believe me, will be anxiously reading them.

 

[TCooperWFI]

Welcome to SB!
When everyone wakes up you'll get lots of hits with great info.

 

[dvoodoo83]

welcome aboard

 

[Scuber]

Well, I a new diver and only been to Catalina Island in Cali, and Lake Havasu, AZ for treasure hunting and only have a handful dives under my belt. So yes, I 'm a rookie to SCUBA. Although, I have been familiar with the concept of self-contained breathing for a while working in the fire service. Its a whole new puppy SCUBA, but I think there are similarities when it comes to safety. But enough about me.
I found this website just searching for reviews for Cancun and Cozumel in yahoo.com and I loved this site for reviews. I'm going to be traveling to Cancun May 29 for 16 days and plan to dive with my wife, so the "Cancun" anxiety is there. I think this site is great for all those divers like me who can't wait and want to find the best way to take advantage of our time when we go on our trip. I want to do night diving, Cozumel diving, and I heard that there were some sort of arrangements with certain diving ops for unlimited shore diving so that is what mostly interests me. If you guys have any information on this, I would greatly appreciate your replies, and believe me, will be anxiously reading them.

Hi! I joined the board today. My boyfriend and I just returned from Cozumel! You will love it. After this trip, we have logged only a little more than 12 dives. We went diving with Deep Blue out of Cozumel. They were excellent to deal with and very friendly. They do offer many types of dive trips, so check out their website. www.deepbluecozumel.com. We were looking for groups of 4-6 divers with each DM. We ran into (literally, while on Santa Rosa Wall, a group of about 10 divers with one DM swimming AGAINST the current towards us!) Very confusing. Our DM just kept the four of us together and we went on our way. I didn't get nervous at all.
A couple years ago, we stayed in the Mayan Riviera. When we dove, we took the ferry over from Playa del Carmen and took a taxi to where the boats left from. It makes for an early morning and long day-but, it was better than the diving I did out of Puerto Aventuras.
My boyfriend is a fellow bombero!!! Stay safe!

 

[H2Andy]

welcome aboard!

 

[Scubaguy62]

Welcome Bombero and Scuber

You guys are in for a treat, because this is the best place on the net to talk about what we love to do, SCUBA!!

I did Coz 10 days after 9/11. My dive op was Dive Paradise and they were very good also. My buddy and I had about 20 dives when we went and the DM's were always very accomodating and always matched us well with more experienced divers.

Don't know much about the dive ops in Cancun, but in Coz, you're likely to have to stay at a hotel that allows unlimited shore diving. Otherwise, you may have to pay for your dives as you dive them. If you're going to dive off the boats, make sure you tell the crew you guys are newbies, 'cause they'll take you to Deep Palancar if you let them. It's a fairly easy dive, but intimidating as you will be in about 90 - 100 fsw (feet of salt water). Palancar caves is also a nice site, but again, it will be a bit deep for your level of experience.

If you're going to shore dive most of the time, get as much info from the dive operator as you can. Currents in Coz can be a little too much for a new diver and swimming against them can prove to be a chore.

Either way enjoy yourself and have a blast. If all goes well, my wife and I will be in Coz for Memorial Day.

Semper Safe,

Rick

 

[BomberoDiver]

Hi! I joined the board today. My boyfriend and I just returned from Cozumel! You will love it. After this trip, we have logged only a little more than 12 dives. We went diving with Deep Blue out of Cozumel. They were excellent to deal with and very friendly. They do offer many types of dive trips, so check out their website. www.deepbluecozumel.com. We were looking for groups of 4-6 divers with each DM. We ran into (literally, while on Santa Rosa Wall, a group of about 10 divers with one DM swimming AGAINST the current towards us!) Very confusing. Our DM just kept the four of us together and we went on our way. I didn't get nervous at all.
A couple years ago, we stayed in the Mayan Riviera. When we dove, we took the ferry over from Playa del Carmen and took a taxi to where the boats left from. It makes for an early morning and long day-but, it was better than the diving I did out of Puerto Aventuras.
My boyfriend is a fellow bombero!!! Stay safe!

THX SCUBER for taking the time. I think thats what I'm gonna do, take a bus to playa de carmen and take a ferry to Coz. That's exactly what I'm doing, checking out websites on dive ops. So hopefully, instead of making reservations throught the net, just show up in person and I can see how they are. I've heard here people have had problems with internet reservations, either they show up late, or poor customer service. But anyways thx for the recommendation and your input, as evryone else that has been posting ; BIG thanks!!!!
-Bombero from Arizona

 

[1dondino]

You will find alot of great stuff here. I just completed my certification dives in San Carlos, Mexico. It's a great trip from Arizona, and the diving was outstanding. This board has helped me make gear choices and given information on other dive locations that you can't get anywhere else.

 

[Karen Cleveland]

Welcome to the board!

If you have the time and the desire, you might want to head south about 45minutes from Cancun to the Akumal area. The Akumal Dive shop has some pretty good diving and the scenery is gorgeous. Nachos on the beach at Lol Ha right next to the shop is a must. Tulum is also farther south but worth the drive.

Personally, I prefer the atmosphere south of Cancun.

Either way you will have a great time.

Karen

 

[BomberoDiver]

Welcome to the board!

If you have the time and the desire, you might want to head south about 45minutes from Cancun to the Akumal area. The Akumal Dive shop has some pretty good diving and the scenery is gorgeous. Nachos on the beach at Lol Ha right next to the shop is a must. Tulum is also farther south but worth the drive.

Personally, I prefer the atmosphere south of Cancun.

Either way you will have a great time.

Karen

THX Karen!! I read up on Akumal and I like the pics from there. I think I might check it out. I wnna do as many dives as I can, but w'll see how the budget turns out by then.