Open Water/Cozumel Experiences

[Cohoona]

Hey all!

I've been lurking around the forum for a few weeks now but this will be my first post.

I have finished my OW certification and have 8 dives under my belt. I am planning on taking a trip to Cozumel around the first of May for 8 days as a dive vacation.

First question: Has anyone stayed at the Cozumel Hotel and Resort? If so how was your stay? I'm not a high maintenance person whatsoever but its always nice to know what I'm getting into

2nd: As a newbie diver and only OW certified, what is the diving like up to 60ft? I did an experience SCUBA last summer in Cozumel but it was just a shore dive, and I had a blast! I just didn't know what the boat dives had to offer for my situation.


Thanks in advance, and I am more than thrilled that I took the plunge (pun intened). I have been obsessed with diving since I was a kid, and now I'm in a position where I can go diving often and can afford it too!


Also I plan to bring my own gear, let me know if there is anything I should be aware of.


Regards,

 

[g1138]

Congratulations on your Scuba certification and welcome to the board.

I've never been to Cozumel, but if you're bringing your own gear on air travel I'd recommend not packing your own weights.
I'd also recommend bringing a weight belt even if you have integrated weight pockets on your BC. Most rental belts are very long, and in the chance that you may be diving with an odd number of lead blocks it's always nice to have 2 in your BC and 1 on your belt or vice versa instead of being heavily weighted on one side.

On the subject of diving to 60ft:
- You air is consumed faster
- your straps need to be cinched down more if you're wearing a wetsuit
- more air will need to be put into your BC.

Have a good trip!

 

[dmoore19]

I have stayed at Hotel Cozumel twice. Both times have been a pleasurable experience. I would have no problems going back and staying again. The food is good not great. Breakfast is a treat, lunch is OK and it is only a 10-15 min walk to downtown and all kinds of good or even great food. The rooms are reasonable in size and clean. The people at the front desk are usually very friendly and helpful. The shore diving is good and pretty fun. The in-house dive op is Dive Paradise and I have found them to be very good. There are nicer resorts on the island (so I am told) and there are a lot of great dive ops on the island. I can only speak for my experiences there and have found both Hotel Cozumel and Dive Paradise to meet all my needs and make for a very enjoyable vacation. Have Fun!

 

[Mike]

First question: Has anyone stayed at the Cozumel Hotel and Resort? If so how was your stay? I'm not a high maintenance person whatsoever but its always nice to know what I'm getting into

2nd: As a newbie diver and only OW certified, what is the diving like up to 60ft? I did an experience SCUBA last summer in Cozumel but it was just a shore dive, and I had a blast! I just didn't know what the boat dives had to offer for my situation.

Hotel Coz is well reviewed on these forums, its a middle of the ratings hotel that a lot of divers like to stay at because of the affordability of the place, large pool, nice rooms, easy access to town, so-so food.

In regard to the diving and your 60ft thing.

Do you plan on informing the dive op/dive master that you don't want to dive below 60 ft or are you expecting them to limit you to 60 ft?

It almost certainly won't be the later. Your very first dive will most likely be below 80ft. The routine is 2 morning dives, the first being 80 ft and below on average and the 2nd dive being shallower. While there might be an exception, don't expect anything other than a dive briefing and everyone splashing in and going down to whatever the depth of the dive is, with no discussion with you about how deep you want to limit yourself.

1st and best lesson you need to learn is to look out for yourself. As a certified diver you're expected to do so. If you don't want to dive below 60 ft you better tell your dive op, probably tell them more than once. Then on the actual dive, confirm with the DM again.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Good comments on accommodations above, with which I agree. As to diving, one of things people do not understand until they experience it is that 60 feet or 90 feet deep doesn't "feel" any different than 20 or 30 feet. As noted above, your air consumption increases with depth. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you enjoy the dives. No need to be concerned. 1) Stay with/near the divemaster, and slightly above him on your first dives. 2) Monitor you depth and air regularly, but not constantly- enjoy the dive! 3) If you are concerned about your air consumption rate, stay a couple of meters above the group. (NOTE: the DM will not prolong a dive beyond the safe air levels- just be sure to advise the DM of your air level) 4) You will need a safety stop, 3 minutes at 15 to 20 feet. Look around during it- sometimes there are neat things to be seen. 5) As to equipment, I NEVER take lead or any tank on a trip that I am not driving to the destination. I never take a belt either, as I can arrange lead properly in an integrated BC. If you do not have an integrated BC it is a good idea to take a belt that you know is your size and that the buckle is secure. 6) Last thoughts about things to notice: When you get 60 feet and deeper, you can enjoy the sense of the "water column," vertical space and differences in it, both as to animals, plants and light. Look up and down now and then. Also, on a wall dive, look away from the wall now and then and see indescribable shades of blue, especially on bright sunny days. Sometime you will also see big creatures cruising by. My first dive after certification was in Maui, to 79 feet. My wife is an open water diver (with a few hundred dives) and more than half her dives are to depths over 60 feet, maxing out at 122 feet. Dive within your limits and comfort range, but you will be escorted in Cozumel. Stay near the escort, a bit above him, monitor your depth and air regularly, and enjoy your dives!
DivemasterDennis

 

[Cohoona]

Awesome thanks for the replys. It brings up an interesting point. During my OW certification, we were instructed that we are approved to dive to a 60 foot depth, and AOW is approved to 100ft. Obviously there are no ocean police enforcing this, but I have always followed this rule, since I am new to the sport and want to be safe. Since this trip will be with a group from our dive shop I just figured they would hold me to the 60ft rule, but it seems silly that I would be forced to hang out at 60 feet while everyone else is enjoying the deeper views.


I have no problems diving over 60 feet, I'm comfortable using the functions of my computer, and I am a very concious diver, I'm just a tad ignorant I suppose about, what depths OW divers actually dive to. Regardless of depth I practice doing a saftey stop every time as just a habit, doesnt hurt.

 

[beaverdivers]

It sounds like you have caught the diving bug.

I would recommend a deep diving course so that you can go to the depths that you wish.

Cozumel is an excellent location for it. Also, a drift diving course would be to your benifit.

Good Luck and Good diving!

 

[SolarStorm]

As to diving, one of things people do not understand until they experience it is that 60 feet or 90 feet deep doesn't "feel" any different than 20 or 30 feet.

I managed to get my wife certified in the spring last year. She has always been terrified of water. She was adamant that she would dive but 20 maybe 30 would be her limit. On her first certified dive we did the Palancar Bricks. When we surfaced I asked her how 65' felt. She was shocked that we were actually that deep. After all 10' off the bottom is always 10' off the bottom. Now the guys at Pro Dive Mexico were great. One of the advantages of the larger 12 person boats was that there were usually 2 or 3 groups and they did a good job of dividing people up according to skill and comfort levels.

I would really contact the dive ops before you get there. Ask the same questions, make a few phone calls. Plus the Pro Dive guys were able to get us a GREAT rate at the Occidental Grand if we purchase a dive and resort package. So for the price of staying in town, we stayed at the grand and still did all of the diving we wanted.

 

[boulderjohn]

Welcome to ScubaBoard!

ScubaBoard is a huge site, and you may not yet realize the number of specialty forums that exist within it. There is a forum devoted to Cozumel where you will find many of your questions already answered, and where you will find a number of very experienced participants who will be happy to give you all the information you need. Many of them do not read the New Divers forum, so if you ask your questions in the Cozumel forum instead, you are more likely to find the people who can really help you.

EDIT: I hope it is clear that my last sentence was not meant to disparage the posts that were made here, some of them by people who do frequent the Cozumel forum.

 

[jw.watson3]

Cozumel is a great place to dive without a doubt. There are many options there, it really depends on what you want to experience when you get to the island. There are a great number of operators on the island as well. Most of the hotels range from very expensive to moderate. Most of them have an in- house dive operation (i.e. Hotel Cozumel, Barracuda, Villa Blanca Gardens have Dive Paradise, Fiesta Americana has Dive House, etc.) Most operators dive all the same sites. Do research on the company and choose what part of town you would like to stay in. Some of the hotels and resorts are off the beaten path. The food is good at most hotels, there is always places to eat that are cheaper and more like local foods. I would recommend that you take Peak Performance Buoyancy course and Drift Dive course. Buoyancy control is one of the key factors in having a great dive not only in Cozumel but anytime you dive. As far as purchasing gear I would defiantly purchase a Dive computer first along with mask and fins and then work your way to what is comfortable and fits your needs(BCD). I travel all over the world with my gear and it can get expensive quickly (extra baggage fees) since you are new I would also recommend that you purchase your own regulator set once you find one that you like and that is comfortable. Comfort is the main reason for purchase of most of gear, I feel there is nothing worse than trying to do a dive with gear that is uncomfortable. If you would like more information PM and I will help you out.
Happy Diving,
JW