Kids diving in Cozumel?

[MakingBubbles]

I am planning a trip for September of this year. I really like all-inclusives and I am thinking of making Cozumel my destination. My biggest concern is that my 10-year old son will be newly certified and I want to know if this is a good place to take him to dive with me. I've heard that Coz has a lot of drift diving. He's needs to stay relatively shallow (40 feet or less). Are there any easy, shallow dives in Coz that we can dive together? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[DandyDon]

Wow?! Which agency is certifying 10 yr olds...?!

 

[diveborg]

Wow?! Which agency is certifying 10 yr olds...?!

PADI does.

All the diving in Cozumel is drift diving, the only difference is the speed of the current. IMO there are better destinations for junior OW divers. I think Curacao would be a better choice.

 

[Hillmorton Scubie]

Chankanaab Park south of San Miguel has some really easy diving. Very litle current, with a maximum depth of 30 feet. There are statues etc placed on the bottom and there is a cavern where you swim in one side and out the other (Only a matter of feet and you can see light all the way through). All boat diving in Cozumel is drift diving.

 

[scubawife]

The larger resort dive shops will post their schedule for the week. Their afternoon dives are usually shallow. That may be your best bet.

If you want to dive with a smaller operator, consider highering a private DM for you and your son. Even the best DMs with the best of intentions are going to have a very difficult time planning 2 dives that give everyone a good day if they have to take the depth and experience limitations of a newly certified 10yr old into consideration.

 

[Crazyduck]

Last year my family went to Cozumel and that included my son Austin who was twelve at that time.

We stayed at Occidental Allegro and had a great time. They had events for children, skits and the complex (felt) very safe. They have two pools; walk up bars for drinks, and an open buffet for food and snacks. The staff was very helpful and supportive. He always played near us and was worn out most evenings. They (the resort) made sure to include children in actives like water volley ball, evening plays and other events. The resort was a cultural mix there was families there for England, Hungry, France and other locations.

Diving-
Allegro had a very nice area to snorkel and shore dive. We felt no current and the swim area was well marked. In fact we spent a lot of time in the shallows watching the fish, rays, and found lots of fun things to observe. Average depth was not much beyond 10ft and we never found anything over 20ft unless we went way…out.

If your son enjoys playing in the surf and shallows I would say no problem and then put in a few shore dives with him so he gets the bug of diving. If you feel he needs more then book a dive through Palancar Divers onsite.
If you are really into diving I would recommend at least one day by yourself diving. There are lots of outfits that will pickup at Allegro’s dock and you are ten minutes from the reefs.

Any specifc question? please feel free to ask.

Dock/ Beach Photo-

Andrew

 

[DandyDon]

When I see a 10 yr old get on a dive boat, I'm getting off. Yeah, stick to the shore dives. And make sure your Op has some smaller tanks. Unless he's the biggest kid in his class, I don't think he wants an 80 cf...



Looks like a nice beach...

 

[ckofabq]

Sorry to see that you'd hop off if seeing a 10 year old on your boat, Don.
As someone who was diving at age 13 (the youngest you could be then-I think), I had some wonderful mentors I met on dive boats that first year- and I don't remember any complaints (not to say there weren't any).
My air consumption was exceptional, skills rapidly improving and my fascination off the charts.
I could suit up with the best of them and, with my DM, was the last back on the boat.
I can only hope my grandson is so helped by the diving community when he hits 10 in three, short years from now.
And, for the record Making Bubbles, Cozumel will be where we go first.
Have a great time!
Craig-

 

[DandyDon]

Sorry to see that you'd hop off if seeing a 10 year old on your boat, Don.

Oh, maybe my statement was too much. :blush:

But I would prefer a more experienced and advanced boat for my few dives in Coz. I'm happy to help newbies on local practice dives, but not when my cost per dive is running around $100 or more a tank.

 

[waynel]

Don, while your statement may have been "too much" I see your point. Diving at 10 years old is about more than strength. And perhaps the 10 year old is exceptional, but I run a training academy that includes Driver Ed. We are now pushing for increasing the Learner Permit age from 15 to 16 here in Louisiana. Why? Sorry parents, but 15 year olds today just aren't mature enough. I know, our child is always the special one but if you're going to risk his or her life on that, please don't. I give road tests and the number of 15 year olds panicing in an emergency situation is going through the roof. I would be extremely worried about a 10 year on any boat dive.

Craig, take a moment and be honest. Really be honest. I'm 51 years old. I don't know your age, but do you really think 13 year olds today have as much responsibility and work ethic that perhaps you or I had way back then? By all means lets love them and support them, but let's be honest.

You can't pick up a newspaper today, or read on-line, without there being some article about how we have coddled and enabled our kids to the point of them not maturing fast enough. One article I read was entitled "26 is the new 18". Yep, I'm an old dog. I've just seen too many young dogs nearly kill me (and themselves) during a road driving test. If I see a 10 year alongside me at 60 ft. I'd forget my dive and become a baby sitter through parental instinct. Time enough for them to dive later, no hurry.