My wife and have enjoyed our accommodations at the Casa Mexicana in downtown San Miguel almost since it was built 15 years ago or something and since discovering Tres Pelicano's dive center (right around the corner from the Casa now) we've never been happier. Our last dive op changed owners and went downhill so we started searching here and on Tripadvisor and 3P's seemed to be among the best of the best and was in close proximity to us staying in town. I can't recommend them highly enough and crow about them every chance I get but I'm no different than everyone else who finally finds their own special dive op and crows about it. There are a handful of great dive ops on the island and 3P's is among them as others here will attest to. As far as Cozumel AI's are concerned... YUCK! I don't travel anywhere to stay in a land-based cruise ship and turn like hot dogs on a 7-11 roller grill with 500 of my closest gringo friends all wearing enough jewelry you'd think they found the Atocha that day and had a free-for-all... Just me though... Not my style... To each their own.
3P's runs 2, 2-tank dive trips per day so you'd have no prob getting your 4 dives in per day if you want that many. 3P's grants experienced divers the freedom to dive their own tank, DC or 70 minutes (whichever comes first). As we greatly enjoy UW photography, the freedom to stay shallower than the group where the light is better, our dives are longer and there's more to see in my opinion is very nice for us and we are usually among the last to surface due to our shallower photography dive profiles.
Personally, after logging 2+ hours underwater before noon I'm ready to kick back in the sun for a while and check out UW photos with a beer or cocktail but we've also been diving in December the past three years instead of early October which we did for 11 years or something. In September and October the water is a few degrees warmer but what is far different is the HEAT and HUMIDITY you experience on the way out, during the SI's, and on the trip back so ya don't get that chill that can start to build when diving the winter months.
With as many divers as you have, I'd say maybe look into renting a nice size house in town (assuming all of you can share the same common space for 7-10 days without getting into each others hair). You'd probably get a private pool, secluded grounds, an outdoor grill, make a trip to the grocery and kick back nightly to good times hanging out in your own little utopia or enjoy nights out in September or October when a large group such as yours would invade a place and enjoy a level of service you wouldn't believe!
Additionally, 3P's is known for it's courtesy transport to and from the Marina from town and with 7-10 divers in your group they'd probably book a taxi van at their expense to pick you all up at the house and deliver you all back daily (no need to screw around with ANY gear as they take care of it all from the day you show up until you pick it up for departure and that includes all neoprene. That's just the type of dive op 3P's is... It's "Boutique" diving without the "Boutique Price". I say contact Jeanie at 3P's via the Tres Pelicano's website and see what she may be able to put together for your group as 3P's has catered to many large groups. With 7-10 divers that time of year, you may have your own boat, captain and DM the entire trip!
Anyway, with 7-10 divers you have lots of $ as a group to search for the right accommodations and book an absolutely fantastic dive and stay package.
. Nice facilities. Two pools and a very nice beach....away from town, But a white van ride in split 12ways is a no brained for local restaurants...were not big drinkers either, but they always placed a bottle of tequila on our table at dinner
