Newcomer needs advice in Cozumel

[Liztoybiz]

I'm delighted to find your website and would love your opinions for our upcoming stop in Cozumel. We'll be sailing on RCCL's Oasis in June and are looking forward to diving there.

A little background; DH and I and our 18 and 16 yr. old daughters have been certified for 4 yrs. and love diving whenever we get the chance (which isn't too often). We've enjoyed scuba in the BVIs and on the Big Island, with 4 of our 15 dives as night dives. Our last dives were summer 2010. I don't think we'll be lugging any equipment on this trip, and weren't planning on bringing wetsuits given the time of year. We also have only dived to about 90 ft.

We would love to do a two tank dive on a smaller boat. None of us are total air hogs, but the 16 yr. old is the least proficient of the bunch so a six pack would be ideal. We've all been snorkeling and free diving for 12+ yrs.

Given the time restraints of a docked cruise ship, could you make some suggestions for us?


Many thanks!!!
Liz

 

[old gaffer]

The only problem you might encounter is that most dive ops leave on the two tank morning dives around 8:30am or so. However there are ops that do make arrangements for cruisers. I was on RCCL's Jewel of the Seas several years ago and I arranged for a 2 tank boat dive with Scuba with Alison. Got off the ship right away then took a cab to the Caleta Marina to meet her boat. Had two awesome drift dives and after we returned to the Caleta had plenty of time to take a cab into town for lunch and then back to the ship. I had better diving than what the cruise ship offered (cattle boats) and even with cab fare it cost me less than what the cruise ships dive excursion would have cost.

Gaffer

 

[cobra269]

Agree with old gaffer about costing less and a much better time if you book yourself. You can always check since there are 4 of you to book a private boat. Most likely would cost less than booking 4 through the cruise ship and you set your own time. Here is a list of dive operators to get you started. Email them and also research this them on this board.


Scuba Diving Cozumel - Dive Shops, Dive Operators, Cozumel Hotels, Cozumel Restaurants, Cozumel Reefs

 

[WoodyLompoc]

Four people go a long way on a six pack. I bet most of the smaller ops would be more than happy to hook you up.

We have used Scuba Mau and they have taken as few as the three of us out before. It is free to ask Opal.
Scuba Mau Cozumel

 

[cvchief]

We dive with Alison. She often changes the schedule to meet cruisers. No more than 8 on a decent sized boat. She is very safety conscious while being more fun that a barrel of monkeys!
Scuba Dive Cozumel | ScubaWithAlison

 

[judydivescoz]

I will add to the list of ops you should call. Try Rita at Albators Charters (www.albatroscharters.com) Small company with great personal service.

 

[ednedfred]

I've used Blue Angel for the better part of a decade. Here is their link:

Cozumel Diving | Cozumel Vacation | Dive Packages

 

[Hotpuppy]

I did a dive with Eagle Ray divers last year. Smaller op, but very nice personal attention. As a bonus 2 of the other divers were from the ship I was sailing on. I was newly certified at the time and they went out of their way to make sure I had a good safe time.

 

[jeancmo]

I've used Blue Angel for the better part of a decade. Here is their link:

Cozumel Diving | Cozumel Vacation | Dive Packages

Blue Angel has a late morning boat that goes out ~ 10 or 11 am. May fit your schedule.
enjoy!

oh- there may be a time zone difference. Most cruise ships that leave from Florida stay on Eastern time- Cozumel is Central.

 

[Diver Kat]

Another vote for Scuba with Alison. We originally found her op when we were doing a cruise ship stop at Coz. Was so much fun we booked with her on a number of other cruise stops, until we couldn't take just 1 day of diving there and started flying in to dive with her. It's now been 6+ years we've been diving with her and it's always a blast. On top of that, she has a very comfy boat; a terrific captain; and she's always very safety conscious. (When I was still new, this was very reassuring to me!) I've been on her boat with families with teens quite a few times and the kids seem to like her as much as the adults. Only down-side, she's becoming more and more popular so she gets booked up early! I won't see her again till November, but I can't wait! Check out her website and if you like what you see, shoot her an e-mail. She's pretty prompt at replying, and answering all the questions you may have!