Help choosing between cozumel / roatan late feb / early march

[soonerwatch]

Thinking about a solo trip of 5-7 days sometime during last 2 weeks of Feb. I'm new to diving - have about 10 dives. Very interested in cozumel but don't want to get stuck on the island with a norte coming through. Thinking about staying in Playa and taking the ferry over to dive. In the event a norte does come through I can do cenotes on the mainland. Did a discovery dive in a cenote last year and loved it.

Other option would be Roatan (cocoview) or another resort. More expensive. Possibly less chance of weather going south?

Had also considered a blackbeards bahamas trip but cooler water and the camping at sea idea probably isn't my top choice.

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[DjDiverDan]

For several years, I went down to Cozumel for the first or second week of March every year, and NEVER missed a dive day as a result of a Norte. I believe that Nortes are much more common in late fall, October and November, than in early spring. Water temps are a LITTLE cooler in February and March - maybe as low as 76-78 degrees F, and there are occassions when the currents can run a little strange during these months. And you'll likely get some rain, but you're going to be wet anyway, so who cares. I wouldn't worry about weather in Cozumel during latter half of February.

 

[PeterNBiddle]

They are both great destinations. With 10 dives I'd recommend Roatan over Coz, esp in Feb/March, when the currents in Coz can be more unpredictable.

If you do Coz, don't stay on the mainland. That's crazy talk. Just don't.



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[DjDiverDan]

Yes, currents in Coz can be unpredictable in February and March, but the local DMs know just where, when and how they are running, and even strange currents never cost me a day of diving. There are a couple of reefs, Tormentos and Cedral, if I recall correctly, where the currents can get reversed, running North to South, during those months, and if so, you just dive the reef backwards, riding the current from what is normally the exit point back to the beginning - no big deal. And if the currents on Baracuda, on the North end, are running at about 4-1/2 knots, instead of the much calmer 1-2 knots, then you either avoid that reef, or, if you love flying over the reef like a jet fighter, you beg the Dive Op to take you there. I wouldn't let the possibility of some hinky currents dissuade me from diving Cozumel.

 

[diversteve]

Nice thing about Cocoview being on the south side is that the island shelters it from much of the weather. Roatan also gets an occasional Norte - just earlier in the year from what I understand.

Also unless it's changed, the single supplement at Cocoview is only $200.

With 10 dives I'd agree with Peter. Have you ever done a drift dive? It's not rocket science but you do have to stay with the group. And to get the most out of it, be good on air.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Agree with Peter and Steve, as a new diver, you'll be much better off at Roatan, no matter which side of the island you choose vs Cozumel.

 

[DjDiverDan]

Agree with Peter and Steve, as a new diver, you'll be much better off at Roatan, no matter which side of the island you choose vs Cozumel.

Absolutely. Keep the Newbies off of Cozumel. Send 'em to Roatan, Belize, Bonaire, anywhere else, just keep 'em out of Cozumel. Makes it that much nicer for the rest of us.

 

[Oldbear]

I did my early dives right after my Open Water in Coz and had no problems with the diving. Just a smart ass Dive Master who no longer works on the island. As a newer diver you just need to pick the appropriate dive center. Dive Paradise is noted for taking new divers out. I did two different trips (about 10 dives) with Dive Paradise and they took me to nice dive sites that were appropriate for my dive skills /dive level.

While I have not dived Coco View ... YET ... I have dove Anthony Key Resort. They two are a great resort for newer divers. I have heard many good things about CV Zander look forward to the day I dive with them.

I think either Coz or Roatan offer diving appropriate for you.

 

[Midge907]

I have been to CoCo View twice as a solo diver, and twice to Cozumel where I knew someone who was going to be there. For a new diver, and a solo diver at that, I would head to CoCo View. You will have a easier time getting some great (not Cozumel Great), but great diving in, and you wont believe how easy it is to just Eat, Dive, Dive, Eat, Dive, Dive, Eat, Dive, have a drink at the Bar, then go to sleep. Thats right, 5 Dives per day, without much effort. You will want to get your Nitrox cert when your there, and everything in life is negotiable, so see if they will waive the single supplement. On another note, I without a doubt think the diving is better in Cozumel, especially if you want to see bigger stuff. Roatan is like the Macro Meca, and will help sharpen your eyes. If you do go to Cozumel, stay on Cozumel, if a Norte comes in then go to the mainland for Cenotes, not the other way around. I will be in Cozumel in January for a week of diving, and then in Playa for 2-days of Cenote diving in January, cant wait!!!!

 

[soonerwatch]

Thanks for all the helpful posts. I think I have talked the family into going with me to cocoview or elsewhere in Roatan in June. And Bonaire flight schedules aren't working for me. So I'm thinking it will be Cozumel / Playa. Probably diving with blue angels, scuba club cozumel, or aldora.

Several suggest to stay in Cozumel and only go to mainland if a norte comes and go to cenotes. But if cozumel port is closed this will be impossible. Am I to read these suggestions as a way to deal with a norte that doesn't close the port but is bad enough that there is no diving on the island?