Papa Hogs Diving

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Firerescueguy:
Is Mike really that bad or are some of you just way to sensative? IMO is the guy is that bad he would not have a successful dive shop in diving paradise.

If I read your post correctly....

Firerescueguy:
I am looking for some feedback regarding your dive experiences while diving with Papa Hogs Dive Emporium. Please post good and bad info.

...you were asking for opinions both good and bad. People have replied as you requested. Please don't question their sincerety. Instead, take everything with a grain of salt and make up your own mind based upon your experience when you dive with them. If you have a positive experience with Mike, then please add it for others to see.
 
I dove with Papa Hogs for six days last month. As everyone says Margaret could not be any nicer. I actually had very little contact with Mike except to pay for my extra dives at the end of my trip. I had no problems with him at all with the contact I did have. He was away for the first two days I was there and I guess I just got used to speaking to the DMs and captains so I just continued that pattern. Usually only two boats were going out in the morning while I was there and there was no confusion about that. The decision to be made when the boats were going out was to use the temporary dock or not. If the wave action was up discretion proved the better part of valor and we were transported to the caletta (sp?). This only happened a couple of times and was no problem at all. All in all it was a very good week of diving. The boats we used did not have canopies but that did not bother me. A boat we used for the first two days was particularly small and narrow beamed and I found out that boat was requested by one of the divers who wanted the lower sides for ease of entry and exit. I did not have that boat again and did not miss it.
 
Harro10, what did you think of the Villablanca?
 
I got lucky and apparently got the best superior room (#22, the third floor) at the hotel. It was not luxurious but it was large, clean, nice view, had a king sized bed, a couch, love seat, dining table, a refrigerator, a sink , and a five gallon bottle of treated water. I stocked the fridge with Clight, energy bars, and pastries from the Chadruai (sp?). It was a very good room for the price. I liked it but the next time I go to Cozumel I think I will try one of the hotels in town. I like to walk but it was about 2 miles to town and I go usually in the afternoon and evening. I spoke to some other people staying there and they mostly said similar things to each other. They did not regret staying there but they will try someplace else next time. They felt the rooms were decent but older and needed some TLC. I also met a couple who stay there every year and love it. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. It was an over all positive experience for me. The only complaint I heard was that the water in the pool was very cold (but it was clean). I never used the pool. My room was actually much nicer then the rooms at the Akumal Beach Resort that is so poplur on another board. Go with a relaxed attitude and don't expect a modern deluxe resort and you should have a good time.
 
Thanks Harro! Our reservation at Villablanca is for a "Superior" room. When we check in I'll ask about #22. For $66/nt I'm not expecting the Hilton but was a bit worried with some reviews/opinions I've been reading. We booked Casa del Mar for this trip and they changed their opening date, again, so I booked Villablanca.

I don't really want to be in town, just close. We've stayed out at Fiesta Americana and I didn't like it much. It's also too far. Hotel Coz was a perfect location for us but not for the rates I was finding for Feb.

I have yet to understand the big attraction to the Akumal Beach Resort. I've seen it, but we rent a condo in Half Moon Bay when we go. Yes, a certain Akumal board is looking more like the ABR Fan Club these days...
 
Harro10:
I got lucky and apparently got the best superior room (#22, the third floor) at the hotel. It was not luxurious but it was large, clean, nice view, had a king sized bed, a couch, love seat, dining table, a refrigerator, a sink , and a five gallon bottle of treated water. I stocked the fridge with Clight, energy bars, and pastries from the Chadruai (sp?). It was a very good room for the price. I liked it but the next time I go to Cozumel I think I will try one of the hotels in town. I like to walk but it was about 2 miles to town and I go usually in the afternoon and evening. I spoke to some other people staying there and they mostly said similar things to each other. They did not regret staying there but they will try someplace else next time. They felt the rooms were decent but older and needed some TLC. I also met a couple who stay there every year and love it. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. It was an over all positive experience for me. The only complaint I heard was that the water in the pool was very cold (but it was clean). I never used the pool. My room was actually much nicer then the rooms at the Akumal Beach Resort that is so poplur on another board. Go with a relaxed attitude and don't expect a modern deluxe resort and you should have a good time.


Thanks for the info, I too was a little worried about the villablanca. It is funny how if you get 50 reviews about something and all but two of them are good you worry about the 2 bad ones the most. I guess I should remember I am going to Cozumel to dive not to stay in the room all the time.... Thanks again
 
Firerescueguy:
Thanks for the info, I too was a little worried about the villablanca. It is funny how if you get 50 reviews about something and all but two of them are bad...

Only two reviews were positive? Is that what you meant to say?
 
I spoke to Margret today via email, the pier is still not rebuilt but they said they are not having any problems loading from there beach...
 

Back
Top Bottom