Please recommend a dive operator

[Mossman]

Gee Don, I thought this forum was a place for personal opinions. YOU seem to have plenty of them.

But you didn't express it as your personal opinion. You said "the usual top five list" as if it were some objective list written in stone, not "my usual top five list", or "my usual top five list based only on dive ops that I've personally experienced". No, you don't have to dive with each of the dive ops on your list multiple times to say they're the best, but you should dive with all the other dive ops on the island before making that kind of judgment call. Otherwise, they're only the best dive ops whom you've actually dove with (and in your personal opinion, based on your personal qualifications), not "the best" period.

 

[cvchief]

Fast boat (could be larger than six pack like the large boat Aldora has)
Boat has shade (otherwise I burn)

That's on my list. We have plenty of room on a bertram style with shade and NEVER get passed. Fast and large does narrow it down too. I did once try to sign Dave on for a race Caleta to Columbia deep for a case or two of beer, but I couldn't get him to bite....

 

[Mossman]

Doesn't bother me. Not my criteria. So who is your fav...?

Jeremy, of course.

 

[Mike]

Jesus Hortensia Mundo Chupacabra is the best.

 

[Ron Lee]

I don't HAVE to dive with each of these ops multiple times over the past year to have an opinion about them.

I have never dove with Blue XTSea yet I believe that it was the first recommendation.

 

[ronscuba]

If you're currently discussing a dive/hotel package, it might be good to wait until you know where you're staying before you decide you need to get picked up from downtown pier, no?

Good luck with your plans, and enjoy the stay on the island!

kari

Hi Kari, you made a good observation. I know the locations of the hotels and I have Christi working on a quote for a specific place which is across the street from the downtown pier. Seems like the downtown pickup is the big thing that eliminates many of the suggestions.

My last visit to Coz was over 7 years ago. Looking forward to my return and comparing the diving to pre-hurricane Wilma.

 

[DandyDon]

Surface interval at a beach club (assumes food and restroom)

I've seen many pangas tied up at the remote dock for SIs, no toilets.

I keep trying to ignore the need for food on SIs as that's just silly. Eat breakfast...!

Shaded boats are essential, yeah. I've seen a few without. I might dive one once, but not another day after throwing my fit.

Gee Don, I thought this forum was a place for personal opinions. YOU seem to have plenty of them.

The poster asked for recommendations...I gave them. Yes, this is a personal list of dive ops that I feel give very good services and run the gambit of price ranges on the island and are well worth checking out. I'm not saying they are "the best on the island", I can't see how ANYONE could make that judgment...and that would just be an opinion anyway as everyone has different needs from a dive op.

I'm simply saying these are one's that I DO have some sort of experience with in one form or another and recommend them.

Sure this forum is primarily opinions. It sounded like that was THE top five, not YOUR fav five. You can argue that I should not have read it that way, but that's just arguing. Stated correctly, your list is fine.

It's not often I agree with Mossman, but happens...

But you didn't express it as your personal opinion. You said "the usual top five list" as if it were some objective list written in stone, not "my usual top five list", or "my usual top five list based only on dive ops that I've personally experienced". No, you don't have to dive with each of the dive ops on your list multiple times to say they're the best, but you should dive with all the other dive ops on the island before making that kind of judgment call. Otherwise, they're only the best dive ops whom you've actually dove with (and in your personal opinion, based on your personal qualifications), not "the best" period.

 

[robbcayman]

Just got back from my trip with Blue XTsea last night.. and had another great trip with them. Great DM, pick up on time and Christi makes sure you're always taken care of. We saw eagle rays, lobsters, turtles, eels, etc.. awesome time. I actually bought a gopro, so I may try to upload a video in the next week or so. I may sound like a cheerleader for them, but that's because I have dove a few other OPs in Cozumel that were just not very good.

 

[loudives]

Over the last 18 years I have had the pleasure and grief of diving with many OPS. I travel to the Island 4 times a year and have seen the operations of many OPS both underwater and at surface intervals. Some OPS have let their boats go to h-ll, I have seen divemasters and boat captains smoke weed, openly solicit tips, consistently exceed the recommended dive depth limits and have customers get into deco, just act as mother goose playing follow the leader and don't stop for anything, surface without safety device, let novice divers who cannot get their bouncy surface without safety stops and much more.

Sometimes the OP is not to blame but the OP has to take responsibility for the employee.

With that said, here is my list/opinion of OPS that I found and Dove with that has safety in mind always, run clean boats, have long time really good employees, either are owner/divemaster or owner frequently rides along, will make sure they interact with all divers underwater to give every diver a pleasant safe dive.

Again my list of OPS that I would dive with anytime and recommend to anyone else. (my favorite first then no particular order.)

Bottomtimedivers.net (Bottom Time) uses AL80's - 100's on request
Bluextsea AL 80 or 100
Dive with Alison AL80 or 100
Scuba Tony AL80 or 100
Living Underwater Steel 100-120
Liquid Blue Steel 100-120 ( This OP has just come under new ownership / only dove with new divemaster once but seems good.)

Again my list, I will not dive with many others due to personal experience with them and Iwill not mention them. There are many other OPS that I have not been with so can't comment on them. My experience is that 90% of OPS in Cozumel are good.

 

[Sue Sue]

Hi Kari, you made a good observation. I know the locations of the hotels and I have Christi working on a quote for a specific place which is across the street from the downtown pier. Seems like the downtown pickup is the big thing that eliminates many of the suggestions.

My last visit to Coz was over 7 years ago. Looking forward to my return and comparing the diving to pre-hurricane Wilma.

You may also want to check out Villa Escondida. It is a B & B on avenida 10.. across the street from La Choza. DH and I have stayed there and it is so convenient to everything in town. We dive with Blue XT Sea and get picked up at the town pier which is a 5 min walk. Just a thought.