How different is Cozumel / Cayman diving from Key Largo diving?

[danpass]

Right now those are my two location ideas for a long weekend dive trip.

I've done a snorkeling trip in Roatan (Celebrity cruise) and was underwhelmed.

 

[robint]

Cozumel = Cadillac

Key Largo = Smartcar

snorkeling anywhere = skateboard

 

[Damselfish]

Unclear, are you wanting to compare Cayman and Coz, or are you trying to compare Key Largo to the Caribbean destinations?

When you take travel schedules, dive schedules, and time-to-fly restrictions into account, it can be hard to get enough diving into a long weekend - I think the schedule has to play a large part in deciding where to go, even though starting from Miami helps a lot. (How long is your long weekend?)

I love snorkeling. But snorkeling in Roatan or anyplace, particularly on any sort of cruise ship excursion or location they set you free for the day, is rarely a good way to judge the diving.

 

[danpass]

Ok I went to Molasses Reef yesterday so I guess how do the Coz / GC hotspots compare to that?

I was thinking a Friday out, Monday back type of thing.

 

[conman]

The Cadillac vs. Smart Car is valid. The biggest difference between the Keys and Coz/Cayman is the water clarity. I've dived all three spots and the Keys would be my last choice. From MIA the easiest to get to would be Cayman but it is also the most expensive. Love the North Wall in Grand Cayman and the Kittiwake is a must see. My son and I just got back from Cozumel. We did a quick three night trip. Dove two days and got in five dives. The diving in Cozumel is superb as well. Flew to Cancun, took the bus down to Playa Del Carmen and the ferry accross to Cozumel. The cost is alot less in Cozumel. Two tank dive trips in Cozumel average $75 vs $100 in Cayman. Eating and drinking in Cayman is much higher than Cozumel. You really can't go wrong with either place. I love them both

 

[ianr33]

Ok I went to Molasses Reef yesterday so I guess how do the Coz / GC hotspots compare to that?

There simply is no comparison.

 

[Damselfish]

Key Largo is mostly shallow reefs. Cayman has some of that (though much better IMO than areas like Molasses), but is most famous for the walls. Coz is known for it's walls and drift diving. They're all very different.

 

[skankpile]

my $.02

Cayman... you can swim out to the wall in many places and see spectacular sponges/corals and go as deep as you want from a pier in places. Dining and lodging in Cayman can be costly. Kittiwake is cool but its just a boat IMO.. if you follow the sand finger down from it the wall is right there. Around Kittiwake there are moorings all over the place so you have lots of options from walls, sand flats, and the kittiwake. If you book a multidive day I bet you can do the wall and finish up on the kiddiwake for a shallow dive. I think the kittiwake is the touristy part and the divers seem to go there by the dozen.

Cozumel.. while you can do a pier dive I don't think you really see the great stuff unless you get a boat.. its sill spectacular in spots and a LOT cheaper even with the boats. You need to be prepared for whipping currents and know how to deal with getting swept from the group or glue yourself to the DM if you are not as experienced. Dining and lodging...cheap. You likely want to have your own equipment in Cozumel.

 

[Doc]

Cozumel = Cadillac

Key Largo = Smartcar

snorkeling anywhere = skateboard

cruise ship = walking

 

[DeputyDan]

cruise ship = walking

No No No No No - - - Cruise ship = wheel chair!