Playa dive advice

[isaac357]

Hi,
I will be staying at El Dorado Royale that is located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for several days at the end of February.

I only have around 30 dives under my belt and am most experienced with fresh water quarry dives but my favorite dives so far have been in Jamaica.

I only have time for 2 days of diving so I planned on diving Cozumel (of course this being my first time to Mexico) and one other dive. The options for the second dive are to dive the Playa reef or the cenotes.

Any recommendations? Is the Playa reef going to be basically identical to Cozumel? Are the cenotes really as cool as some people say they are? I only get to dive the ocean once or twice a year so I am leaning toward diving the Playa reef but I also don't want to miss out on something really cool. I guess what it comes down to is this: are the cenote's just cool for the people who are tired of divng the reef because honestly, I am definately NOT tired of it! ...but, I don't care for diving with sharks...

Also, can anyone recommend the best dive shop in Playa? Currently I am leaning toward "Dive Mexico". "diveshopmexico.com" I read that fantaseadive with Jason is very recommended. I may have to check it out. Ideally, the dive shop could pick us up from our resort because otherwise it is a cab ride to Playa.



Thanks!

 

[driftwood]

Coz is very different from diving on the coast. More walls and current on Coz. Around PDC, the reefs are flatter with more fingers and grooves.

The cenotes are a lot colder than the ocean dives. Call it, low 70's year round and they are very slow dives. When you combine the two, your buoyancy control has to be very good. The cenotes are the area's claim to fame. Very cool and they are not world class, they are the class of the world.

If I were doing it, spend your first day ocean diving to get dialed in. Then ask your shop if your skills are good enough to dive the cenotes without damaging them. Hidden Worlds Cenotes Park Yucatan Mexico Riviera Maya Just a taste of how cool the cenotes are.

Wish I could help you with good dive shops north or in PDC, but we use shops further south.

 

[Ed Hatfield]

You might want to skip going to Cozumel to dive just because it will be a long, tiring day. In order to get to the dive shops on Coz in time to do the AM dives you need to be on the first or second ferry. If you are only planning on diving twice then do a day on the Playa reefs and a day at the cenotes. If your resort has a dive shop then you can do both from there with minimal stress and transportation worries. If you need to go to Playa then any shop can provide the same package. Some of the favorites are GeoFish (Steve, Max & Morgan are Americans), FantaSea (Jason also American), Scuba Playa (staff are international), Scuba 10 (Irene & husband are Mexican but fluent English). There are many, many more. Do your reef dive first, particularly if you are going to use rental gear. You want to get the cobwebs off before heading to the cenotes. You will find some shops have there own cave diver on staff but many sub-contract to an independent for the cenotes. This is normal and they are all good if you deal with a recommended shop based in Playa. The only trouble you may run into is with the resort dive shops. Some are great, some are good, but a surprising number are so-so to down right awfull. Do a search for your resort and maybe you can get some feedback from someone who has been there. I will be in Playa from the 18th FEB to the 11th MAR. I will be heading over to Coz at least once but I'm staying right in Playa and it makes it easier from there. Enjoy your vacation. If you want to buddy up for a Playa dive just let me know. My schedule is pretty relaxed as long as it doesn't interfere with my wife's plans.

 

[SCUBA 10]

Hi!
Yes Cozumel is different from the diving in Playa, as driftwood already said. Ususally, diving in Cozumel is a better experience if you are a more experienced diver. At Scuba 10, we do offer dives to both Cozumel and Playa del Carmen as well as cenote dives. The staff here are all very friendly and accomadating and we are a relatively small dive shop, so we are able to give individualized attention. If you have any questions, just send us a message and we will be happy to answer!

 

[still new]

I did my first Cenote dives last year and I'm going back in two weeks and definately will do more. I highly reccommend Aquanauts Dive Center in Puerto Aventuras, 10 miles south of PdC. Ask for Carlos he is fantastic and will show you a great dive experience.

 

[still new]

In PdC I would recommend Geo Fish, I finished my rescue diver with them last year and they were great.

 

[wierts]

Depending on the time you have, take a cab from your resort and hookup with the dive guide of your choice.
Do take in mind that the number of people going along with you on the trips is important to know.
Being a less experianced diver it is to be advised to have a limited number of divers comming along.
Groups of 8 divers and one diveguide are not uncommen!!

I have great experiance with Jason. He certified my GF for AOW. Eversince she loves diving.
Drop Jason a line on your preferences and he'll acomendate you.

Have fun in PDC

 

[yak]

Tank Ha runs their own boat from PDC to Coz. It will save you some time, and you'll be back mid-afternoon. But it can be a rough crossing in a smaller boat.