OW PADI Certification

[Dann]

Hello all,

My wife, daughter and I are looking to do our referral dives for our OW cert in Mexico this year (Dec 4 -11). We'll be staying at the Grand Sirenis resort. This is our first time in Mexico and OW diving (of course). I browsed the forum to get some insight on the local dive shops we can do the OW with. The Aqua Inn at the Resort didn't inspire much confidence based on the reviews I found on this forum. Other than Akumal Dive Center and Akumal Dive Shop, are there other outfitters you recommend? We're willing to commute if we had to.
Also, for the ppl that dove Mayan Riviera in December, what do you recommend as far a wetsuit: 3mm full, 5 mm full, shorty? Your time is appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Dann

 

[the4brewers]

I dive Akumal quite regularly and wear swim trunks and a 3mm sleeveless vest year round, but do get chilled a bit if doing multiple dives. I would say the most common suits used are 3mil fulls and shortys.

100+ dives @ Akumal Dive Shop...Great guys!!

 

[muddiver]

Regardless of who you sign up with, I would reccomend at least a full dive skin in tropical waters because you never know what you might brush up aginst. There are so really nasty coral in the warm waters. I would go with the 3 mil my self becase it is better to be a little too warm than to be cold.

 

[Geofish Dive in Playa]

For the winter time I would highly recommend a 3mm long wetsuit. The water temp in this area is around 77-79F throughout the Winter so on multiple dives you will get a bit chilly, especially on the boat in between dives. Also Muddiver is correct there are some corals that you do not want to touch here (Fire Coral and Stinging Hydroids) and a long suit will prevent that from happening.

 

[grassgreen]

Have you read the reviews on trip advisor? Reef quest comes up number 1, they are very good, i went with them last year, and they have loads of wetsuits for you to use all included in the price of the course!!

 

[Dann]

Thank you all for your replies regarding shops and suites. I got a good deal on a Mares trilastic 5-4-3 delux at the LDS. it might be a bit overkill for the warm waters in the south, but it should be pretty versitile for temperate waters too.