private dm

[brnt999]

I recently got my Padi OW Certificate. I did a discovery dive one day( which counted as open water dives 1 and 2), did the pool dives and theory the next day, and did open water dives 3 and 4 the next day. It was very intense and there was a lot to learn and skills to complete in 3 days. I then did 2 day excursions, 2 dives each day. I was diving with experienced divers and spent most of my time just keeping up. I would like to try diving where I dive to my agenda and not someone elses. If I want to spend 10 minutes looking at something I want to do it and not have to worry about being left behind. I want to spend time just being in the moment and thinking about my breathing and buoancy and not have to think about someone else. I am thinking the best way to do this would be to pay extra for a private divemaster. I am going to Cozmel tomorrow. Can I arrange something like this with most dive shops?

 

[TXreefer]

I have been on boats in Cozumel where passengers had private DMs. I have no idea about costs.

 

[knotical]

Much of Cozumel diving is drift diving which isn't amenable to stopping in one place for 10 minutes, unless the entire group stops. But there are some very pleasant shore dives there which might match your preferences.

 

[islanddream]

I think it's a great idea to arrange for a private DM on your first visit to Cozumel. If you've never been drift diving it'll be a wonderful new experience for you; however, having someone who is used to that type of diving will be beneficial. Do you know which shop you're diving with in Coz? Email or call them in advance so they can "reserve" a DM for you.

Have a safe and fun trip. You'll love Cozumel!

 

[PeterNBiddle]

+1 on the private DM

 

[LoonDiver]

My husband/buddy and I have been to Cozumel twice and have hired a private DM both times. Obviously, I think it's a good idea :cool2: and highly recommend it, especially as a new diver on your first trip to Cozumel. You will be able to be more relaxed as you get ready for your dive and won't have to worry about keeping up with the larger group on the boat. Your private DM is your personal guide and buddy, if you need one. By the way, even with the drift diving in Coz, there are plenty of places with less current or where you can duck behind a reef structure out of the current and spend more time looking at something. Talk to your private DM about that before the dive -- it's his job to make sure you have a great dive, so tell him what you want! On our two trips, we dove with Dive Palancar at the Occidental Grand and the private DM charge is $35 per dive, I think, before tips. Our DM in turn tipped the captain and mate on the boat.

A good DM can also help you with your weighting, buoyancy and diving in general. Ours gave us lots of good tips on our first trip to Cozumel, which was just two months after we were certified and was the first time we were diving in the ocean. If you don't like the first DM you hire, ask for somebody else on your next dive. We did... caused some political issues at the shop, but that wasn't our problem. The first DM was no help at all and paid very little attention to us. The second DM, who we have hired for every subsequent dive in Cozumel, immediately took some weights from both of us and was extremely helpful before, during and after our dives.

You will love Cozumel -- the reef formations are spectacular and there are lots of creatures to admire. Enjoy!

 

[Steve_C]

I have around 290 dives but I travel some and often dive with strangers. There are dives where I do not want to go the insta buddy route either because it is a special dive and I want to enjoy the dive without worrying about some one else as much or because it is more of a pinnacle dive for me and I do not have my usual dive buddies around. In those cases I hire a DM. Get his/her advice on the site and then tell them what I want to do. Given all the other expenses it is usually not much. Besides I find they often find critters for me to photograph that I would have missed and can fill me in on some of the flora and fauna.

 

[CathyE]

I don't think you can go wrong hiring a private DM, at least for a dive or two. As mentioned, they are usually great at helping you with buoyancy, trim and critter sighting. Once you are familiar with Cozumel's currents and how your dives go, you can re-evaluate.

 

[Islandheart]

Try Aldora divers there. Small boat and very small groups. They'll take time with you at your pace.

 

[WheelsUSN]

I would say that hiring a private DM would be a great idea. Your instructor didn't follow standards (Discover scuba can count for the 1st OW dive but not the 2nd and the 2nd can't be completed until the first three pool sessions are completed.). If your instructor completed all of the theory and pool dives in one day he probably took some other shortcuts and its doubtful that you really got all of the training you paid for. It would be good for you to dive with a DM or instructor who can observe your skills and if necessary remediate or fill in the parts of your course that your instructor did a poor job on.