Playa del Carmen Mid-November, Any Recommendations?

[Pkishino]

wife and me will be in pdc 9-11/11 before heading down to tulum, diving only with protec (tamara for the caves). When it comes to the bullshark diving, protec assured me that a) their operator does NOT feed them b) they stay away from the feeding spots

 

[ibj40]

It has it's risks, but is safe more often than not. I feel like it is an opportunity I don't know when I'll get again and would be an unforgettable experience.

It is not the risk to the diver I am referring to, it is the risk to the Bull Shark population off the coast of the Yucatan. These sharks become dependent on the handouts from the dive ops, and become easy prey to poachers.

 

[islandboysrule]

Thanks! You've dove with them? What was your experience? I'll give them a look over.

Twice - On time, flexible, multi national staff and they take you to site less known to other shops. Bull shark dive I highly recommend!

 

[Chavodel8en]

For whats it worth, this is my impression of a bull shark dive I did in Playa last Nov.

I did not plan to do a bull shark dive. I was booked with a small dive op for a regular ol dive. But they had another guy who came over specifically from Cozumel to do the bull shark dive, so I went with it.

At first, I admit it was exhilarating -- they swam around at arms length. However, after awhile, the bull sharks just seemed to be waiting around, swimming without purpose. And the dive consisted of us stuck on the featureless bottom, watching the sharks. At the end of the dive the DM fed them.

So, I feel like I wasn't seeing typical wildlife behavior. They actually reminded me of my dogs when they want a treat. My girls walk around and around the cabinet where we keep the treats until they get one.

In retrospect, I don't agree with chumming and will take care to avoid it in the future.

On another dive, I caught sight of a baby bull shark in the distance. I remember this more fondly, bc I feel I actually saw a shark doing what a shark does in the wild. The bull shark dive I did was a bit like watching trained circus animals.

 

[ibj40]

For whats it worth, this is my impression of a bull shark dive I did in Playa last Nov.

I did not plan to do a bull shark dive. I was booked with a small dive op for a regular ol dive. But they had another guy who came over specifically from Cozumel to do the bull shark dive, so I went with it.

At first, I admit it was exhilarating -- they swam around at arms length. However, after awhile, the bull sharks just seemed to be waiting around, swimming without purpose. And the dive consisted of us stuck on the featureless bottom, watching the sharks. At the end of the dive the DM fed them.

So, I feel like I wasn't seeing typical wildlife behavior. They actually reminded me of my dogs when they want a treat. My girls walk around and around the cabinet where we keep the treats until they get one.

In retrospect, I don't agree with chumming and will take care to avoid it in the future.

On another dive, I caught sight of a baby bull shark in the distance. I remember this more fondly, bc I feel I actually saw a shark doing what a shark does in the wild. The bull shark dive I did was a bit like watching trained circus animals.

Exactly. We've been to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica twice, and did the Bull Shark dive to Bat Island. We are one for two; first time we saw an adult, two adolescents, and three juveniles; second time, none. But that is the chance you take. We've also seen a free-swimming Bull on a dive off of Puerto Aventuras.

And we were suckered into the same dive you did in PDC.

When we tell others that we've seen Bull Sharks, we never mention the PDC dive.

 

[Wyatt1225]

wife and me will be in pdc 9-11/11 before heading down to tulum, diving only with protec (tamara for the caves). When it comes to the bullshark diving, protec assured me that a) their operator does NOT feed them b) they stay away from the feeding spots

I'll definitely check them out, thanks!

 

[Wyatt1225]

It is not the risk to the diver I am referring to, it is the risk to the Bull Shark population off the coast of the Yucatan. These sharks become dependent on the handouts from the dive ops, and become easy prey to poachers.

I got you. Yea that makes perfect sense. I'd much rather see one in its natural behavior anyway.

 

[Wyatt1225]

For whats it worth, this is my impression of a bull shark dive I did in Playa last Nov.

I did not plan to do a bull shark dive. I was booked with a small dive op for a regular ol dive. But they had another guy who came over specifically from Cozumel to do the bull shark dive, so I went with it.

At first, I admit it was exhilarating -- they swam around at arms length. However, after awhile, the bull sharks just seemed to be waiting around, swimming without purpose. And the dive consisted of us stuck on the featureless bottom, watching the sharks. At the end of the dive the DM fed them.

So, I feel like I wasn't seeing typical wildlife behavior. They actually reminded me of my dogs when they want a treat. My girls walk around and around the cabinet where we keep the treats until they get one.

In retrospect, I don't agree with chumming and will take care to avoid it in the future.

On another dive, I caught sight of a baby bull shark in the distance. I remember this more fondly, bc I feel I actually saw a shark doing what a shark does in the wild. The bull shark dive I did was a bit like watching trained circus animals.

Do you think all dives specifically meant for a bull shark dives are like this in Playa Del Carmen?

 

[Chavodel8en]

Do you think all dives specifically meant for a bull shark dives are like this in Playa Del Carmen?

Note Im not an expert in this. But sounds like there are 3 types of "Bull Shark dives"
1) Some ops chum.
2) Some ops don't chum, but take you to the locations where chumming happens - basically relying on the sharks "trained" to approach divers and wait for their chum.
Note that these locations are generally sand bottom areas where divers get negative on the bottom for most of the dive.
3) Looks like there may be outfits like Pkishino mentioned - they state that they don't chum and don't go where chumming happens

Honestly, you will be more likely to see Bulls if there is chumming, or if you go to the chumming locations.

Your choice to make.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I keep hearing good things about these guys. Have you dove with them outside of the Cenotes or are they primarily cave divers? I'll probably give them a call sometime soon.

Do you know if computers are a part of their rental gear? Couldn't tell from the site.

No they are not just cave divers. They do ocean dives and trips over to Cozumel as well. I have my own gear, so I don't know about the computers.