Newbie heading to Cozumel in April

[Dr Dog]

I have another question. What's the best insect repellent? I hear mosquitoes can be pretty bad.

I forgot about those buggers, yeah they nailed me pretty bad at night time. My hotel sold a generic brand that worked great, I think it was an OFF product. no more bites after that

 

[mstevens]

I have another question. What's the best insect repellent? I hear mosquitoes can be pretty bad.

Saltwater. Stay immersed in it, and mosquitoes won't bother you at all.

 

[Kicker1866]

All great advice. I will throw in one more tid-bit. You may want to make sure your first couple of dives are shallow dives. I know you are just completing your OW, but many if not most Dive Ops will still take you down to 70-80'. (Everyone can debate that all they want but it happens) Coming straight out your check out dive and dropping down on one of the walls might be a little intimidating for a first dive. Of course when you are read for it, there is fewer things more beautiful than doing a swim through and coming out over the wall. I had only thought I knew what Blue looked like prior to my first time popping out of a chute on Santa Rosa wall. have fun

 

[RonFrank]

For bug spray anything with Deet in it works. You likely need to buy it there and leave it as well. I have no idea, but flying with aerasol cans has been prohibited in the past.

I Always recommend Blue XT Sea. We did a 4 dive per day set with them for a week and it was awesome. Give them a call.

I have never heard of ANNOAT and as the majority of the dive ops don't belong to this organization I would not place much value in it. I think you can easily judge a good Operation. Here is one way.

All packages with Blue XT~Sea include:

• Tanks, weights (Nitrox available at additional cost, proof of EAN certification required)
• Purified bottled water, juice and light homemade snacks
• Fresh water camera rinse on board (upon request)
• Dry towels and Rain/wind parkas
• In-water divemaster
• Fully Covered boats (Bandida II has a full canopy as of May 2009)
• Dry storage on the boat
• Hotel pier pick-up (downtown pier and all hotel piers south of town)
• Complimentary valet gear service includes rinsing and storage each day (except wetsuits)
• Computer diving (bottom times are based on individual air consumption and computer allowances)
• Fast boats, maximum 6 divers (larger groups can be accommodated upon request)
• Divers are grouped by experience levels to the best of our ability
• Long, relaxing surface intervals at the beach
• Personal service from myself and my team
• Flexible scheduling (when possible)
• No additional charge for Columbia, Maracaibo, or northern reefs with a minimum of 4 divers (based on experience levels and conditions)
• Boats are equipped with DAN O2, first aid kit, cell phone, and international marine band VHF radio

I dive with them, and can say their boats are comfortable and well equipped for 6 packs, and Safe. You can tell when a boat is well maintained. If you tend to get seasick something bigger may work better for you even if bigger may mean cattle boats.

Occidental Grande is way south. Going into town is a pricey cab ride but you should go into town for dinner at least once.

Good Luck and have Fun!

 

[suprane]

I have never heard of ANNOAT and as the majority of the dive ops don't belong to this organization I would not place much value in it.

Well according to David Dillehay, who is the founder and owner of Aldora Divers in Cozumel and very active in the dive industry on Cozumel, out of the approximately 100 or so operations on the island about 26 are members of this organization. From his discussions on it they sound to be a self-policing group that tends to hold their members to fairly high standards.


I am by no means implying that all of the non-members are bad operations, simply that this provides an additional level of assurance that you are dealing with a safe and reputable operation with reasonably high standards.


Personally, I know Dave and his reputation and put great credence in his opinions!... Hey, for all I know Blue XT Sea may very well be a member! Be worth checking!

To each his own! We all have to make decisions for ourselves based on the information we have at hand and our level of comfort and risk acceptance.