New to diving, new to board, new to Cabo!!! help! :)

[habitforming]

hi all,

my fiancee and I recently finished our certification and have gone on a solo dive to a local lake. So we're basically completely "green". We'll be leaving for Cabo this week staying through friday of the next, first to get married and then to go diving once all the family has gone home. So I'm looking for some recommendations on shops, charters, and food

We'll need to rent BC's but have the rest of the gear, so also what is a good shop for rental gear?

Also, how is driving in Mexico? We decided to rent a car so we can drive to Cabo Pulmo and dive that site (and also for general utility of course) as well.

Thanks in advance guys & gals. I've used message boards like this one for years for all of my various other hobbies, and I'm glad to see there is such a strong resource for divers as well!

 

[peterbe]

hi all,

my fiancee and I recently finished our certification and have gone on a solo dive to a local lake. So we're basically completely "green". We'll be leaving for Cabo this week staying through friday of the next, first to get married and then to go diving once all the family has gone home. So I'm looking for some recommendations on shops, charters, and food

We'll need to rent BC's but have the rest of the gear, so also what is a good shop for rental gear?

Also, how is driving in Mexico? We decided to rent a car so we can drive to Cabo Pulmo and dive that site (and also for general utility of course) as well.

Thanks in advance guys & gals. I've used message boards like this one for years for all of my various other hobbies, and I'm glad to see there is such a strong resource for divers as well!

We own a timeshare in Cabo and I did my OW checkouts there in Nov '06. I was referred to Manta Diving and had a great experience. The shop was small and a bit pokey but I understand they have moved to newer premises. The owner is Israeli and the staff, Instructors, DMs were great (most from Mexico, but others from Europe, US and S.America).
The boat I was on was good, well-managed and the skipper & crew great.
I did my dives around El Arco in Cabo. The shop also does trips to Cabo Pulmo and Gordo Banks but I have no experience of those.

I would recommend this shop. The web address is:
Manta SCUBA Diving, Cabo San Lucas, Sea of Cortez

Good luck,
Peter

 

[Chocoholic]

I usually use Amigos Del Mar, they are located by the Dolphin Experience and docks. The closest resorts are Sol Mar, Playa Grande, Finisterra and Terra Sol (just up the hill from Amigos). I like their boats, they tend to have lots of room and a head. Most OPs go out in the bay to the same sites but some OPs use a panga to dive from (no safety equip). The rental gear from Amigos is well cared for Aqualung BCDs and Scubapro regs. Have fun, I hope the sea lions come out to play for you.
As far as restaurants go, CAbo has good food. My favourite places are Panchos, Mi Casa, La Fonda and Mariscos Mazatlan.
We have drove to Cabo Pulmo twice. It is long and kinda dusty in places, the first time we ended up driving along a dry river bed following someone elses tracks to find the rest of the road. It was quite the adventure but the diving was awesome and worth the drive. The palapa restaurant right on the beach in Cabo Pulmo has great food.

 

[divenest09]

I booked a private trip with Baja Dive and it only cost $200.00 For two persons with all gear,water,safty gear,Divemaster,This was great because we needed the extra time to go down.
call 011-52-624-14-37659

 

[CaboJim]

I have always used Amigos Del Mar. They now have a boat in the new marina, just south of the airport.
Its an easy ride out to Gordes Banks. However, this dive is an advanced dive, 100 ft down is a pinnacle. Soon you will see anywhere from 100 to 200 hammerhead sharks. These guys aren't very big (3-4ft), & if you get any closer than 40 ft of them they will scatter. but still a sight worth seeing. Be prepared to go into deco on your second dive....

If you want to dive Cabo Pulmo, the dive shop has a shuttle for the trip there. You don't really need a car if you're staying in town....