In Cozumel now...worth a day trip to do whale shark swim or cenote dive?

[bshort4]

I had never dived a cenote (cavern dive) before but this past April I thought Id give it a try. Took the 7 am ferry to Playa and was met there by my guide from CenoteXperience who drove me to the shop. Ten minutes of paperwork and we were off in their truck to Dos Ojos. We dived Dos Ojos (very crowded with snorkelers and divers) and did half the Barbie line and half the Bat line. Then we drove five minutes to The Pit and we were the only ones there---nice. I enjoyed both dives but The Pit blew me away---very open, very deep (we went to 116 ft.) and the light effects from the sun entering the opening are not to be missed. Before the dive at The Pit we had lunch (provided) then kitted up and had our gear lowered into the water. There are stairs going down to the water and a small dock where you enter then put on your kit. I'm really glad I did the cavern dive and getting to do two different cenotes was a plus. The next time I'm in Cozumel I'll probably try a couple of different cenotes just for some variety. It's not cheap--about $175 for two dives in two different cenotes with transportation, entrance fees, and lunch and nitrox 32 was included with the price for The Pit dive if you wanted. Give it a try--you just might enjoy the hell out of it like I did. I was then driven to the ferry pier and was back in Coz by about 5 pm.

The first Pic is in Dos Ojos and the last three are in El Pit and entering the hydrogen sulfide cloud.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

I did a whale shark excursion 2 yrs ago. The weather was great but the seas were choppy. The boat ride out took over an hour and 3 or 4 people were so sick that they didn't get in the water. Once there, it was absolutely chaotic. Very unorganized with the DM (?) trying to keep everyone together. Several people were briefly "lost" due to the high waves and numerous boats in the same area, creating a brief panic. I "thumbed" the dive and did not get in the water. The next day, I was so sore from the pounding on the boat and trying to hold on that I missed the next morning's dive. I would not recommend it based on my experience.

YMMV

Keith

Yup....this was exactly me! Two years ago we took my then 6 year old son on the whale shark excursion and although the weather was perfect, the 5-6 ft chop made it a miserable experience.....for me. The hour and a half boat ride out beat the hell out of all of us. And once we got out there, it was hurry up and get ready to get in the.....GO GO GO!!!!! I lasted less than ten minutes in the water before I felt like I was going to lose everything in my stomach. I spent the rest of the time out there trying not to throw up and I never actually did. Once back on shore I was okay, but definitely feel like I wasted my money. I'm glad my wife and kid enjoyed it but I will never try that again. I don't do well on the surface.

 

[divingjd]

I’ve done cenote dives twice - once from Cozumel and once when I spent a week in Playa. I’m interested in doing it again, but I can never tear myself away from the reefs and spend the long day to do the denotes. All four of my dives were in Dos Ojos, which was very cool, but I can’t do any comparison. I thought about doing the whale shark thing a few years ago and went through the same thing. I was interested, but not enough to leave the reefs behind and take on a really long, possibly frantic, day. Staying on the island and diving the reefs was just too relaxing. This summer, I am flying through Cancun, so I’m heading back to Cancun from Cozumel, spending a couple of nights in Cancun, doing the whale shark tour, and giving myself some time to do everything. I probably wouldn’t do it if I weren’t already going to be in Cancun.

 

[cbm32]

I did Dos Ojos.....once. Wouldn't do a cenote ever again and think of that experience as a waste of my time and money.

 

[KenGordon]

The whale shark trip left me feeling very sorry for the whale sharks. There were only a couple of sharks and dozens of boats. A circus, but without the high animal welfare and ethics.

The cenotes are amazing, so I would suggest diving those.

 

[ReadyTo Dive]

Know your cenote...

Angelita, Taj Mahal, The Pit (and several more) are all awesome, awesome dives and are not snorkeling/tourist areas full of people. A bit of research will really pay off regarding this.

Their are others that I still plan to do in the future (not D.O. or C.M. etc) that are equally as promising and ProTec is my #1 recommendation and Blue Life is my #2. Under the Jungle is also top-tier but I have not dove with them personally.

 

[mstevens]

We love Cozumel, and often spend a week or two without diving at all.

That said, the times we've snorkeled with whale sharks have been amazing. It's worth every bit of hassle getting to the mainland, to your whale shark boat, sitting until you get to the middle of nowhere, etc. If you have the chance, take it.

We really enjoyed a day diving at Dos Ojos a few years ago. It was memorable, and another thing that I think is well worth doing.

Whale sharks are strictly seasonal. The cenotes are always there. Do the whale sharks.

 

[Brodydog]

Whale sharks are strictly seasonal. The cenotes are always there. Do the whale sharks.

Good advice.

 

[amoses]

Their are others that I still plan to do in the future (not D.O. or C.M. etc) that are equally as promising and ProTec is my #1 recommendation and Blue Life is my #2. Under the Jungle is also top-tier but I have not dove with them personally.

I have been emailing back and forth with Blue Life this morning. I am not so impressed so far. I have asked for the cost and what all it includes about 4 times and they still wont tell me, lol.

Under the Jungle has been very responsive and helpful so far. No response from Pro Tec yet.

 

[sefuchs]

I’ve had a couple great trips with Cenote eXperience. Give them a call. ProTec is also very good.