Planning Trip - Dive Ops

[gemdy]

I know this question seems to get asked a lot, and yes I read many previous posts about this, but I still have some questions.

I am going to Mexico in August for 1 week. We are two divers and two non-divers. The trip is not a "dive" trip, but I am hoping to get in 4-6 tanks. We are staying in a condo in Playa Del Carmen and we are planning to go to Cozumel on Sunday Aug 12th for some diving (via ferry). I also hope to get in 2 tanks in cenotes on the mainland.

I am looking for a dive operator for a two tank morning dive and possibly for a night dive as well. Both myself and the other diver are not that experienced (12-20 ocean dives), but I feel pretty comfortable diving... (I've gone to 72' previously). We will need to rent gear (besides wetsuits, fins, mask, snorkel). We are hoping to not have to get up at the crack of dawn to catch the 6am ferry, but will if necessary. I am not a fan of cattle boats. Costs are not really a big issue, as we are willing to pay more for a better experience or more dive time. I've never used a computer but would really like to try it.

The other two members of our group are interested in either snorkeling that morning or maybe even trying "discover scuba". We do not all need to be together or even with the same operator.

I have read about many dive operators in Cozumel, but does anyone know who would best suit our needs.

Also, does anyone have experience with Hidden Worlds near Tulum for Cenote/cavern diving?

 

[94GTStang]

I love diving with Raul of bottomtimedivers.net. No cattle boats and I believe he only takes about 6 tops. Though each time I dove with him, it's only been my girlfriend, two of our friends and myself. He's a top notch diver and we are using him again for our trip next week! However, I know he does not do night dives on Sunday. Not sure about day dives though...

 

[paulw]

There are quite a few but the two I like are Deep Blue and Aldora both only take small groups and have great DM's also I have heard Blue XT Sea is great also. I will be there in a couple of weeks and tried to use Christi at Blue XT Sea but they were pretty much booked up the days I will be there. I am also staying at Playa and will be diving with Abyss divers there, they do ocean and cenote diving. I know everone has their own favorites and believe most dive shops on Cozumel are good and safe the ones I mentioned happen to be two I know and one I really want to try. By the way I am using Aldora for six dives in two weeks. Have fun.

 

[cowboyneal]

 

[Hutchel]

Try WetSet.com on the mainland for the Cenotes - they're located in Porto Morales (sp?) My wife and I dove with them last Jul - had a great time - real personal service. Christie with Blue XT Sea is a can't go wrong for Coz. We just got back from a week of diving with her.

Lee

 

[loudives]

I second Raul at www.bottomtimedivers.net . Most operations in Cozumel do not do Sunday night dives as this is family time. Also 4 divers are required by most operators to go out on a night dive. You might consider Sat. night dive the stay at one of the downtown hotels overnight ($40) then do dives on Sunday. You can email Raul and he can set you up with anything you need.

Lou