Need help deciding between Cozumel of FL for diving this year...

[Satrekker]

Cozumel, no contest imo. I'm a FL diver, and I've dove a lot of the keys and both the e and w coast, so I'm a bit biased for something different. Having said that, east coat drift diving in FL is my favorite FL diving. You can't go wrong with either decision, but Cozumel definitely a more island vacation vibe to it. Plus, it's hard to beat renting a car and heading south for miles of undeveloped, uninhabited white sand beaches. :-D

 

[Snoweman]

I've been to the Cancun area diving way back around 1995(Cozemel is a short boat ride away), and my impression(foggy as it is in my memory) was that the local dive charters had lesser safety standards, beat up equipment(painted tanks) and did things like anchor in the coral heads etc. So as exotic a destination as it may seem compared to Fla, you might not get the quality of experience as you might like, but again I have not been there for a long time, it's probably much better now, But I would use the extra money saved and go to Fla and hire a private dive charter and go to some out of the way, unexplored dive sites(this is a relative thing, are there any a little further out that get less dive traffic?).

I have no idea who you dove with, but nothing could be further from the truth in Cozumel. Everyone wears a mask, all the equipment is as well cared for as in the states, and safety of the dive is a top concern.

 

[Nathan Doty]

Hey everyone,

I posted earlier about trying to go to FL for some diving and hopefully do a budget vacation.


However, I just had our local dive shop post a trip to Cozumel (with 3 spots LEFT)

This the Package they're offering;

OCTOBER 30th- NOVEMBER 6, 2020
ALL INCLUSIVE 7 NIGHTS, DRINKS, MEALS , RT AIR, 14 BOAT DIVES, and ATV JUNGLE TOUR!!!
Hotel Cozumel features 3 restaurants and 4 bars! All open!
All-Inclusive Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner -all buffet style; domestic alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; plenty of scheduled activities by the swimming pool, night entertainment, open-air gym, pool tables, bike tours, snorkeling and kayaking!
The Beach Club’s shore has been blessed with a beautiful natural reef formation; guests can enjoy a spectacular snorkeling ride or fantastic shore diving. Swimming and kayaking, too! For divers, Hotel Cozumel offers; rinse tanks, hangers to drain diving gear, fresh water showers, 150 lockers to keep diving computer/gear safe, private pier, and Dive Paradise, a PADI full Service Center with the biggest and most reliable operation in Cozumel since 1984.
Dive Paradise will take us to many amazing dive sites around the island! An extravagant selection of fish and brightly-colored coral makes this a truly unforgettable dive adventure. Keep an eye out for octopus, parrotfish and angelfish as you swim!
Experience an exciting ATV adventure, then enjoy a grilled lunch, drinks, water, soft drinks, and beers (after the ATV ride), and relaxing Balinese beds by the crystal clear water on the beach.
Meet your ATV guide at the entrance to Playa Mia. After attending a safety briefing and getting ready, we go for an exciting ATV ride in an old open stone mine. Dare with your skills to ride on mud, dirt or rocks.
Then, enjoy the crystal clear ocean for a delicious lunch that includes burgers, hot dogs, quesadillas, fresh guacamole, crispy tortilla chips, sodas, and cold beer.

Pretty much an all inclusive package for $2k (maybe 2300 for me with Single room occupancy).

The other nice thing is I would be with people from my local dive shop and always have a dive buddy + unlimited Shore dives @ $7 per tank.

The only Con is $2k was a bit more than I was planning on spending this year for vacation.


VS

Florida
$561.50 so far for Flight + hotel (1 week).
Not sure about the costs of food and dives, but I looked up 2 tank dives it looks like $80 per 2 tank dive. so assuming I did one per day. That's another $560.
I also have a buddy that should be able to dive with me most of the week. He's also a professional Skydiver, so I might be able to do some diving of a totally different kind as well.
Otherwise, I would probably have to find a stranger or do shore dives?

Cons:
Trying to figure this whole package out.
Maybe not having a dive buddy?
Inferior diving?

What do you guys think? I've heard the diving in Cozumel is a lot better and bonus ATV riding sounds like fun too.

What part of florida? I'm in the spacecoast part, we dive about 2 hours south of here (no good water except the springs). I'm used to seeing 65-95 for a 2 dive day. It seems consistent all the way to the keys, and I've only done a couple beach dives on the gulf side, which right now you don't want to be in.