Hotel / Diving Recommendations - Family of 4 - New to diving

[GoldieVT]

Looking for some advice- we're a family of 4 (kids are 18 and 20) and looking to do a vacation in the first 2 weeks of 2026. My wife and I can't just sit on a beach so we thought doing a diving vacation would be fun. I have my PADI cert, others don't so we'd be using part of our vacation for their shore and open water dives. I'd likely do a refresher and maybe snorkel while they do the course. I think they'd likely do the online eLearning prior to the trip.

Looking for hotel and dive shop recommendations. It would be nice if the hotel had rooms with 2 bedrooms but we could also do 2 separate rooms (kids and parents). It doesn't need to be low budget but also not looking for top of the line hotel either. We'll want some downtime from diving and my daughter would enjoy a hotel with a pool/beach. We also like to get out of a hotel restaurant and get some local food so proximity to other dining would be nice.

While it will be exciting to do some great diving, the goal is to get certified, get comfortable with diving, see some cool stuff and have fun.

I welcome any suggestions and thank you!!

 

[ggunn]

If just being on a beach is enough of an alternative, any dive focused resort will do.

FWIW not all the dive focused resorts on Cozumel are on beaches.

 

[FishWatcher747]

Lots of good ideas about hotels and such.

I would consider getting the 3 people certified at home this summer when Vermont temps warm up. Or at least do the pool work and online learning at home maybe closer to the trip and do the checkout dives on vacation.

OW training is stressful. Better to do it at home and avoid the stress when one is on vacation.

 

[PARADISE HUNTER]

I'm seeing this a little late, but if your still looking for a dive op, I suggest Living Underwater.

Here is my trip report from a recent trip with them:

Trip Report Thread 'Trip Report - Living Underwater - 3/2-3/29'

Apr 2, 2025

Trip Report - Living Underwater - 3/2-3/29



Just got back from spending four weeks staying at El Cantil and diving with Living Underwater. I’ve been diving off Cozumel for over 20 years and had yet again a great trip.



The weather for the most part was fantastic. It didn’t rain a single day, but we did have some high winds that closed the port for two days out of the month.



I logged 38 dives on this trip and the diving was terrific! Some of the best visibility I can remember, and water temps stayed between 80-82 degrees. The eagle rays were back in force the entire month and I was...

• PARADISE HUNTER
• Replies: 6
• Forum: Cozumel

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Good luck and have fun!

 

[GoldieVT]

Angus - Thank you for the thoughtful response. Everyone here has been very helpful. We just need to spend some time on the part of vacations I dislike the most.... planning.