Isla Mujeres Dive shops

[debtownsend]

We are taking our 3 kids to Isla Mujeres for a dive week over Christmas. They are 12, 16 and 20. The 12 year old just finished his scuba class and we are trying to decide if we are going to do his check out dives in the cold Indiana gravel pit next weekend or wait and do it on the island in December.
We are looking for a shop that will help us keep an eye on him. Our 16 year old is very inexperienced, too. Any suggestions?

 

[teamheatwave]

Coral Scuba near the ferry

 

[rachelscott51]

How about good places to stay on Isla? I'll be there for 3 nights in November. Thanks,

 

[Cudabait]

How about good places to stay on Isla? I'll be there for 3 nights in November. Thanks,

We were last there in February. We loved it and plan to return soon. It was our first time. Here's what we did. I contacted coral divers. They have two locations, the main shop is right off the waterfront and the other (combination office and internet place) is right in the middle of town on the "no traffic street". We told then we did not want an expensive hotel and they made arrangements for us at a small family owned place wihich is right across the street from the place in town. We flew into Cancun, took cab to Puerto Morelos, then ferry to Isla. There are only 3 streets on the island and you can just walk anywhere if you wish. We hired a guy with a bicycle wagon to haul our gear to the office (arrived about 10:00PM) Walked the three blocks fron ferry to office and hotel. Checked in ($25.00 night) It's right across the street between two jewelery stores. Has a nice pation and night security. We dove with Coral divers. They are very helpful...just be very up front with what you want and expect. It is good diving and they can handle novice level activities. Just tel them. Note: If a strong norther blows in, it can get a little bumby on the north side.

Regards,

 

[scubawife]

Two that I was happy with for several visits to Isla are Posada del Mar (www.posadadelmar.com) and Cristalmar (www.cristalmarhotel.com). Posada del Mar is "in town," and Cristalmar is in the Sac Bajo area facing Cancun. It's been about 5 years since I've been to the island. We dove on two trips with the DM based at Cristalmar, where we stayed. The dive shop was a little palapa on the beach with a dive flag sign. www.isla-mujeres.net/home.htm is a great resource for Isla Mujeres info.

 

[colo_diver]

going to Isla ourselves for Thanksgiving, staying at the Avalon..... can report back after that, but have heard that Ivan did some moderate/minor damage......all I can add at this point is that I hope the resort is better than thier reservation people

 

[scubawife]

colo_diver - Don't miss out on all the great local restaurants and beach bars, even if you're on the AI package at Avalon. Avalon is a bit isolated from the real Isla atmosphere, and pretty overpriced too. But, a not bad walk accross the bridge and down the bridge will put you right into town. Have fun!

 

[rachelscott51]

Has anyone stayed at Na Balam? Are there any other dive operators besides Coral Divers people have experience with? Other things to do on the island (besides diving with dolphins)?

 

[rachelscott51]

FYI, used Coral Divers this weekend and we had crappy bottom times on both our dives, under 35 minutes. We were put on a boat with two people who had completed their OW cert the day before, and we dove the gunboat wreck (C55) and due to others at the site, we only got to go through the top level.

The second dive at El Tunel was a little better but we were swimming against the current for much of the dive so sucked some air that way. Did get to see a lemon shark which was nice.

Guess we should have cleared some things up front with Coral divers (especially about the others on the boat). The vis wasn't great either, and after just having spent 7 days diving in Cozumel, it was a bit of a let down. I enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of Isla, loved Hotel Na Balam, but would leave the diving to Cozumel. Wouldn't go back there for that.

 

[colo_diver]

thanks for the input............ leaving for isla in 2 days....... was there damage from Ivan???? not sure who we will be diving withwont be coral i know that,