One dive op or a couple??

[jd950]

Going to Coz in a few weeks. Been there once before. I am thinking of going out with two, maybe even three small dive ops running small boats. One guy I have used before and like, so want to go with him. Two others come highly recommended. Thought it might be nice to make some comparisons for future dives and just get a different feeling on different dives.

On the other hand, I suppose with one operator they may be able to make judgments through the week about which dives I am better suited to, and of course, know where we have already gone.

So what do you think? Pick one op and stay with that person through the week, or try the DM buffet?

 

[djanni]

Going to Coz in a few weeks. Been there once before. I am thinking of going out with two, maybe even three small dive ops running small boats. One guy I have used before and like, so want to go with him. Two others come highly recommended. Thought it might be nice to make some comparisons for future dives and just get a different feeling on different dives.

On the other hand, I suppose with one operator they may be able to make judgments through the week about which dives I am better suited to, and of course, know where we have already gone.

So what do you think? Pick one op and stay with that person through the week, or try the DM buffet?

Advantages and disadvantages with either. Since you've been there and know the drill, I'd say do whichever you want and have fun doing it.

 

[Garrobo]

About five months ago I went to Coz without making any appointments except to call a hotel and a couple dive ops and told them the general time I would be there. I asked if they usually had rooms or full boats at about that time. They assured me that I shouldn't have any trouble and come on down. I did just what you are talking about. Though I did stay at the same hotel for the entire stay I dove with three different operators. I dove in the morning with one op and then in the afternoon made arrangements to dive with another the next morning. Worked out fine except that it cost me a couple hundred dollars more for the hotel since I didn't get a discount by buying a package or making an appointment beforehand. I was hoping to find a local who would put me up for the days I was there but what was offered were rat holes and I preffered the hotel. I suppose that if I had a little more time to look around I could have found a decent place to stay and saved a few bucks but the point was to stay away from the herd. Next time I'll set aside an extra day to look for something. Anyone living on Coz want to put up a clean, sober, harmless, old man for a few days? (Cheap?)

 

[Rockhound76]

Did that in Grand Cayman years ago. Rented a house in Boddentown and a little car and managed to dive 5 different operators in a week. It was great.

The advantage there was that we were able to dive all around the island (East end, West End, north and south) and were not limited to one particular operator's "hunting ground".

 

[Christi]

I was hoping to find a local who would put me up for the days I was there but what was offered were rat holes and I preffered the hotel....Anyone living on Coz want to put up a clean, sober, harmless, old man for a few days? (Cheap?)

This simply isn't something that is part of the culture here and is not appropriate to expect, as we all tried to tell you before you arrived....but you didn't believe any of us. The people here have much more respect for themselves and their families/homes than to take in a complete stranger who doesn't want to spend money on a hotel. You're going to have to pay for your lodging and stay in a hotel/condo/rental house just like everyone else who comes to visit...unless you have friends that INVITE you to stay at their home.

 

[boulderjohn]

Back to the OP's original question.

If your goal is to find out which of several recommended operators you might want to use in the future, then by all means try several.

If not, I think you should research carefully and find one you really want to use and stick with it, expecially if you are going to do a lot of dives. In my experience, when an operator gets to know you, they will help you get the experience you really want. (Assuming you do not come across as a jackass, of course.) I spent a week on St. Maarten this year. It is not a dive Mecca by any means, but I believe the fact that the operator really knew me gave me much better dives than I would have otherwise had.

If you go to the Cozumel forum and do a search, you will find a handful of operators who come up again and again and again as highly recommended. I think if you go with any of them, you will be quite pleased.

I used to go to Coz quite a bit, but my life has led me in other directions for several years. I hope to go back this coming year, and when I do, I will follow my own advice given above.

 

[jd950]

Thanks for the input. Sounds like it is just one of those personal decision kind of things.

I have made arrangements with two ops, one I have used before and one other I have heard good things about. I guess I just like to meet new people. Assuming it works out okay, I may try one or two other ops next time. If it turns out to be a hassle then I'll just use one person next time. Anyway, I'm all set and looking forward to my trip.

 

[scubadobadoo]

I'll add that an advantage of using one op is that the one dive op may carry, rinse, store, and bring your gear to you every day. Man is this nice! I used to swear that I would never let anyone "touch" my gear but I have found a dive op I trust and as I get older...well I just enjoy vacation more. One can always double check gear before entering the water. Just a thought.

 

[Garrobo]

Just read Chriti's post. I didn't have any problem finding places to stay. The problem was, as I stated, that what there was to offer were crappy, dirty, unhealthy dumps, your average home in the downtown area. The people who I talked to were friendly and recommended other homes where I could stay but after connecting with several families I decided that I would rather stay in a clean, quiet hotel near the diving. If I had lowered my standards a little I might have stayed in one of the homes.

 

[TheDavil]

If you're even contemplating going out with other dive ops, I'd say you haven't found your perfect fit yet and should try out some other places.

On my trip to Coz a couple months ago I found the perfect op for me. I wouldn't even consider anyone else on future trips to Coz. I'll be going to Maui next month and will be diving with two ops that I haven't dove with before because I haven't found the one for me in Maui yet. I'd say branch out and test the waters...

David