Playa/Cozumel Dive Boat for Big Guy

[vacationcrazy]

I'm heading to playa in a few weeks and I'm looking for some dive shop recommendations. I've been diving in several different countries and throughout the U.S., but I've always gone on larger dive boats with a big platform on the back. I've seen some pictures of the dive boats that some of the dive shops in playa and Cozumel use and I'm concerned that it might be difficult for me to get back onto the boat after a dive because I'm a big guy (about 300 lbs). I've also read that many of the dive shops in playa make you board the dive boat from the shore, rather than from the dock. If anyone knows of any dive shops that have a boat that would work well for me and that loads from a dock, I'd sincerely appreciate hearing from you.

 

[MMM]

Hello vacationcrazy. Cozumel questions are all good here. Playa questions are best answered over on the Mexico forum but SB rules prohibit multiple posts in different forums. So I will answer as best I can for Cozumel and assume similar responses for Playa.

Most of the dive boats here load from a dock; there are one or two exceptions where the hotel will only allow certain ops to use the their piers.

I haven't dived on any of the cattle boats but most of the six packs have divers remove their BCDs in the water, pass them to crew and then climb a ladder. Are you unable to do this?

 

[Ron Lee]

Other options include larger boats. Aldora has one but I am not sure that you can be assured of diving on it.

Look at the websites for Aqua Safari and the dive ops located at Iberostar, Allegro and the Grand. They may have boats that meet your needs. No doubt there are others but I suspect that you will be directed to a dive op that works for you.

At least one boat here may work:

http://www.diveparadise.com/boats.htm

Also check http://www.scubaclubcozumel.com/

Their Reef Cat might work.

 

[mediumone]

What you've read about the dive boats in Playa is absolutely correct. There are only two docks in the Playa area; the main ferry dock at the foot of Juarez, and another one at the foot of Constituyentes, which is perhaps even larger, but the only thing that I've seen it used for was an out of service ferry.

There are probably a couple of dilapidated docks in the area, but I'd be very surprised if any of them are functional.

There may be larger boats in Playa, but I've only seen the six-pak variety, which means swinging a leg over the side to get in at the shore, and using a ladder to get in between/after dives.

There may also be larger operations in Playa, who have 3, 4, or more boats, but I'm not aware of any, and I'd be surprised if there are any.

---------- Post added August 3rd, 2013 at 12:03 AM ----------

Blue Angel's "10:00 am" boat might be a possibility as well??

 

[vacationcrazy]

I'm a big guy, but I'm not disabled in any way. I exercise everyday and can definitely remove my bc and climb up a ladder. I just wasn't sure if it would be a problem because the boats look so tiny.

 

[mediumone]

I'm a big guy, but I'm not disabled in any way. I exercise everyday and can definitely remove my bc and climb up a ladder. I just wasn't sure if it would be a problem because the boats look so tiny.

Pffffffttttt--

You'll be fine. Don't give it another thought.

 

[Kryssa]

Scuba with Alison definitely has a boat that can handle you.

 

[vacationcrazy]

I like that answer. Anyone have any suggestions for a solid dive op. in playa or puerto aventuras? We're staying in Playacar.

 

[mediumone]

I've only dove off the mainland once, and the op that we used was fine, but I'd choose a different one if I were going to dive there again.

Mexico Blue Dream has an outstanding reputation, and I've met the owner, and he extended a number of courtesy's to us even though we weren't diving with him. A class act.

There is an ex-pat that I know of in Playa ---- she and her husband and two kids who are in their early teens now (or perhaps not quite), have been there for nearly 10 years. She has said that when her kids start diving, they will be using The Abyss Dive Center. The shop that she's going to trust with her kids speaks volumes, no?

 

[lthomas132]

I like that answer. Anyone have any suggestions for a solid dive op. in playa or puerto aventuras? We're staying in Playacar.

Contact Jason with Fantasea Diving in Playa. He's a good sized guy himself and a helluva dive guide/instructor. His boat loads right on the beach in front of his small shop. Diving Playa Del Carmen, Dive Center, Cenotes, Tech and full Cave diving

I'm a pretty big guy myself, 6'3", ~230 lbs. and no youngster. I once did a couple of days diving in Akumal with a young group and the first thing that I noticed was that there was NO ladder on the boat. These guys slid in like seals. The 1st dive I did OK after taking off all gear except fins, no problem. 2nd dive was like trying to land a whale but I finally made it. I think that most of the boats are pangas, small boats as you described. I did see a couple of larger boats in Playa which may belong to Yucatek, not too sure: http://www.yucatek-divers.com/english.html