Martin?

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

topher

topher

Registered
Messages
38
Reaction score
3
Location
Maine
# of dives
100 - 199
I read some general info on Dive with Martin on the other threads; a couple questions:

1. Anything bad to say about his operation? (you can PM if you don't want to post)
i have seen nothing but favorable recs thus far

2. How's the equipment?

3. My wife and I are intermediate divers- is DWM appropriate for us?

4. should we pre-book? (what about weather considerations)

5. where is the surface interval

6. Should we do our first night dive? (i know the answer to this one ;) )

thanks

12 days until coz!
 
topher:
I read some general info on Dive with Martin on the other threads; a couple questions:

1. Anything bad to say about his operation? (you can PM if you don't want to post)
i have seen nothing but favorable recs thus far
You need to decide what you are looking for in a dive shop first. DWM is a good safe operation for those looking for a very affordable and no frills operation. They have several boats, and get you to the sites quickly. There really aren't any "bad" shops on the island, just different types of operations.
2. How's the equipment? Rental equipment in general is never going to be top of the line equipment. DWM does not charge for rental equipment, that should be some sort of indication for you. The only memorable complaints I can recall about DWM is regarding the rental equipment, but it's free with your package. You might consider renting equipment at your local dive shop or purchasing your own before you go.
3. My wife and I are intermediate divers- is DWM appropriate for us? Of course they are. They accommodate all levels.
4. should we pre-book? (what about weather considerations)
Absolutely make reservations, if they even still have space. We are getting into high season and the better shops are booking up, that includes DWM. I would not wait until you get to the island, especially in November or you may find yourself diving with one of the large boat, high volume operations where you are just a number. As far as weather goes, who knows what the weather will be like. If it is too bad the harbor master will close the port. As far as specific weather policies, you will need to check with DWM.
5. where is the surface interval Depends on where you dive. DWM sometimes stops at a beach and often they spend SI's on the boat.
6. Should we do our first night dive? (i know the answer to this one ;) ) Yes, you shoud definitely do a night dive in Cozumel. It will be a wonderful experience!
Most importantly...HAVE FUN!

thanks

12 days until coz!
Click to expand...

See my responses within the text of the message in green :)
 
topher:
I read some general info on Dive with Martin on the other threads; a couple questions:

1. Anything bad to say about his operation? (you can PM if you don't want to post)
i have seen nothing but favorable recs thus far

2. How's the equipment?

3. My wife and I are intermediate divers- is DWM appropriate for us?

4. should we pre-book? (what about weather considerations)

5. where is the surface interval

6. Should we do our first night dive? (i know the answer to this one ;) )

thanks

12 days until coz!
Click to expand...


We will be using Martin for the 3rd time next week. We have been very happy with their shop. Usually no more than eight divers on the boats and they will take us where we want to dive. They pick about at 7:30 (Cozumel time :) ) so you are usually one of if not the first to the reefs. Nice boats and friendly, knowledgeable crew.
We take our own gear so I can't help you there....sorry. Most of the SI are on of the beaches. San Francisco and Nachi Com, I think. They furnish water on the boat and if you want anything else you can bring it or get it at the beach. You can email Martin and let him know your skill level and when you will be there to dive.
dwm@cozumel.com.mx
The night dive? Definitely........it won't be your last :) Have a great time.
 
We dove with Martin in early Sept., I can't think of anything negative to say about the operation, the DM's we had, David and Orlando and captains were very good, the boats were well maintained and although we have our own equipment all the stuff i saw in the shop looked like it was in good shape, well taken care of and not very old.
my wife is an intermediate diver and I'm a 22 yr. veteran, both of us were very satisfied and can't wait to get back to dive with them again.
Pre-booking is always a good idea, I e-mailed Martin several times before our trip and he was always quick to respond. If the weather is a factor you won't be charged, but hey, it's Cozumel, the weather isn't usually a factor. I've been going down there for over 10 years and have never had a dive canceled yet. although this year we got very lucky as we were there between 2 of this seasons hurricanes, but we're getting at the end of that season now and with the end of it also comes the end of the rainy season so the conditions should be pretty good.
I'm not sure what the amount of dives are you have to book to qualify, but we dove with them 6 days, and got a free night dive, a free video and 10% discount on the whole package. I think our total for the week was something like $470! great deal!! remember he only takes cash.
Yes! do the night dive!! it is still twilight when you go down and you can still see without the lights at the beginning of the dive,so it doesn't seem as freaky as you might think it would be just diving into black water. It is a really cool experiance.
let us know it if there is anything else we can do, have a great trip and happy diving!!
marc

topher:
I read some general info on Dive with Martin on the other threads; a couple questions:

1. Anything bad to say about his operation? (you can PM if you don't want to post)
i have seen nothing but favorable recs thus far

2. How's the equipment?

3. My wife and I are intermediate divers- is DWM appropriate for us?

4. should we pre-book? (what about weather considerations)

5. where is the surface interval

6. Should we do our first night dive? (i know the answer to this one ;) )

thanks

12 days until coz!
Click to expand...
 
Martin has a nice operation. I tried to book with him next month but was booked due to a large group. I will dive with them again. As far as equipment, don't know. Have my own gear. SI are varried. He supplied lunch to us several times in May.
 
IME DWM is a very good op. Small boats, early pick-up times, and good DMs. I have used them the past 2 years I went to Coz and would book with them again.
 
I have dove with many different operators on Cozumel.And Martin is one of the best.
In my opinion non better service quality and the best price I have found.
Dive-Ho
 
I have gone out with DWM on three different trips and can't say anything but good about the operation. Excellent captains, great DM, comfortable boat and while I bring my own gear - the rental equipment in the shop was in very good condition compared to most rental gear. I highly recommend!
 
topher:
I read some general info on Dive with Martin on the other threads; a couple questions:
Click to expand...

I used DWM last year and thought they were very good. Equipment was decent and they even gave us a computer to use.

One tip, if you are going to use them for 6 or more days then book multiple 3 day packages rather than one 6 day package. The per dive cost for 3 days is the same as for 6 but you get a free night dive with each 3 day package so that way you can get two night dives (which are really fun).

Try to go to El Moro for dinner if you get a chance. Fantastic Chicken and cheese mole enchiladas!!!! They're on 75th St. Do a search for directions or PM me.

Also rent a car and drive around the island one day. Check out SmartCar for a good deal on a VW bug (about $25 /day). Google Smartcar Cozumel.

Ed
 
Dive with Martin also gives you unlimited free shore dives, he let us use his steel 95's, has 4 or 5 fast small to medium sized boats with twin 115 HP Evinrudes, tries their best to separate beginners from advanced divers(if you'd like), gives you a free video of diving, gives you a free boat night dive, picks you up starting at 7:30am going as far north as Plaza Las Glorias, and charges nothing extra for Maracaibo, Punta Sur, and other far south dive sites, spends their surface intervals on beaches, charges only $9.00 extra for Nitrox... all for $250.00 for 5 days. Although I bring my own equipment, I would not assume that because the rental gear is free, that "that should be some sort of indication for you". I've seen the equipment, and it appears no worse than anyone elses rental equipment. I suppose that if you need seat cushions or can't remember your own towel, you can pay 25% more for a dive operator.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom