Iberostar Cozumel

[bmaber]

Hi;
Just back from the Iberostar Cozumel. I used the Scuba board to help pick this resort, Here are a few things to consider.
1. This resort is right at the reefs, boats just go 5 min off the dock and you are at some great reefs. I used to go downtown and every trip spent 25 min boat time going south.
2. The local dive shop, Dressel Divers do their own fills. Most dive shops on Cozumel use one guy, the same guy who fills the tank that were report on these threads for CO2 at the Occidental Grand.
3. Three big dive boats, but only instructor lead dives and 8 divers per group max (we often went with 4 and 6). Often two groups on the boat.
4. Unlike some operators in Mexico the rental dive gear appears it is in good shape and serviced.
5. They tend to send the newbies and classes out on other boats than the ones with the experienced divers. Small operators can't do that.6. Nice hotel, good food, good drinks, great pool, nice staff.

Prices is fair but you could do better if you shop around, but I think worth it. 1500 Pesso = 12 two tank dives, some gear rental, a nitrox course and National park fees

small downsides:
Beach is nice but rocks as you hit water, but you can go in past that using the dock.
The "entertainment" is not very entertaining. But who cares I came to dive.

 

[redacted]

2. The local dive shop, Dressel Divers do their own fills. Most dive shops on Cozumel use one guy, the same guy who fills the tank that were report on these threads for CO2 at the Occidental Grand.

That is not correct. When Dive Palancar had the apparent CO incident (at the OG), they too were filling their own tanks (at the Allegro). As a result of that incident, they have stopped operating their own compressor and now get all their tanks filled in town where CO monitors have been installed.

BTW, that price you quoted looks way too low.

 

[cicopo]

Agree with awap on both points & I think the problem with the fills also cost Dive Palancar the franchise at the Allegro because not long after the problem they were replaced by Pro Dive.

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

Hi;
Just back from the Iberostar Cozumel. I used the Scuba board to help pick this resort, Here are a few things to consider.
1. This resort is right at the reefs, boats just go 5 min off the dock and you are at some great reefs. I used to go downtown and every trip spent 25 min boat time going south.

You can do 1 tank dives if you want. Or do deep/deep or shallow/shallow of the morning/afternoon dives.

You also are not stuck with eating some cut up fruits, since you come back and people usually pig out between the dives.

5. They tend to send the newbies and classes out on other boats than the ones with the experienced divers. Small operators can't do that.6. Nice hotel, good food, good drinks, great pool, nice staff.

I think they will more likely put the nitrox people with the nitrox people, until maybe they get a feel of how you dive. When I was there, I keep seeing the air people in my group (since I was diving air), but no biggie, these people were experience enough, and we got our 55-65 min bottom time on almost every dive.

One thing is, since they assume everybody will be diving nitrox, they don't go deeper than 100 ft, so you can't go deep for the sake of going deep, and no devil's throat, although they do go to cathedral.