Jan 19-24, 2025: Likely Blow Outs?

[bakersdozn]

I've got dives planned in Cozumel for Jan 19-24. In looking at the forecast, I'm starting to get concerned about blow out risk. I've been considering canceling Cozumel dives on Tues-Fri and taking the ferry to dive cenotes.

I haven't been to Cozumel in 20 years, so I'm hoping for some help on the following:

1. Based on the forecast, how likely is it that the harbor gets closed next week?
2. Which ferry(ies) are the best to consider for early morning rides from Cozumel to PDC?
3. How far in advance do i need to buy ferry tickets? Should I expect long lines for early morning rides?

 

[NDL_Diver]

Based upon CURRENT wind speed AND direction, Wednesday 22 Jan is a port closed day 100%.

Purchase ferry tickets upon arrival at dock and get ticket for next ferry at ticket booth. Don't get round trip. Do the same on return.

 

[NDL_Diver]

Looks like neither ferry operator has favorable time to dive Cozumel.

Schedules – Winjet Fast Ferry

winjet.mx

Rutas y Horarios :: Ultramar

ultramarsales.ultramarferry.com

Earliest artival on Cozumel is Around 8:50AM.
Very few dive operator options for a ~930 AM departure.

 

[Shawn C]

Looks like neither ferry operator has favorable time to dive Cozumel.

Schedules – Winjet Fast Ferry

winjet.mx

Rutas y Horarios :: Ultramar

ultramarsales.ultramarferry.com

Earliest artival on Cozumel is Around 8:50AM.
Very few dive operator options for a ~930 AM departure.

Doesn't Xcaret have a 6:30am sail to Cozumel?

 

[Snoweman]

I thought the OP was asking about taking the ferry from Coz to Playa for cenotes diving. I don't see where getting to Coz for diving comes into play.

The best ferry is the next one you can get on.

 

[Shawn C]

Next week's weather will be driven by a massive polar vortex affecting the weather from Canada to Mexico. Where I am in Toronto, we are expecting temps to be as low as minus 28c (around -18f).

 

[Shawn C]

I thought the OP was asking about taking the ferry from Coz to Playa for cenotes diving. I don't see where getting to Coz for diving comes into play.

The best ferry is the next one you can get on.

Good point! Missed that and was just responding to NDL's post.

 

[bakersdozn]

Thanks all, I may try to take that 6:30am Xcaret on Wednesday. Anyone have any experience with it?

Fingers crossed the weather turns around.

 

[ggunn]

I've got dives planned in Cozumel for Jan 19-24. In looking at the forecast, I'm starting to get concerned about blow out risk. I've been considering canceling Cozumel dives on Tues-Fri and taking the ferry to dive cenotes.

I haven't been to Cozumel in 20 years, so I'm hoping for some help on the following:

1. Based on the forecast, how likely is it that the harbor gets closed next week?
2. Which ferry(ies) are the best to consider for early morning rides from Cozumel to PDC?
3. How far in advance do i need to buy ferry tickets? Should I expect long lines for early morning rides?

How much in advance do you need to cancel dives? Wait until as late as possible.

 

[bakersdozn]

How much in advance do you need to cancel dives? Wait until as late as possible.

For the Cozumel dives I've already booked, I won't need to cancel them at all -- if they get blown out, then I don't owe anything to the operator. The game theory really involves whether or not to book Cenote dives in advance with an operator on the mainland:

• I would need a guide service since I have never dove the Cenotes and will be solo (I'm -- unfortunately -- traveling with non-divers), and I'd need to put down a non-refundable deposit for any Cenote dives. If I book too late, then I'm at risk of not securing a charter and being "out of water" on any blow out days.
• If the Cozumel dives get blown out, then I'd hop on the ferry to Playa Del Carmen and do the Cenote dives.
• If the weather turns around, then I'd prefer to keep the Cozumel dives and avoid the ferry logistics, but I'd likely need to pay the Playa Del Carmen operator for the Cenote dives due to last-minute cancellation.
• The worst case scenario would be getting blown out and being unable to make a morning ferry to Playa Del Carmen, causing the Cenote dives to get cancelled (and having to pay for them in full).

The ferry logistics may make it too tough to do several morning-of trips from Cozumel to Playa to dive the Cenotes. I just don't really know about the ferry situation in reality since I haven't been to Cozumel since I was a kid.