ProDive at Playa Azul ?

[annlaur]

Anyone ever dove with ProDive (resident dive op at Playa Azul) ? Someone from a French forum asked me if I knew anything about them today, which I don't.

 

[tedgarner]

I found this info on the web
Pro Dive Mexico - Cozumel - Reviews of Pro Dive Mexico - TripAdvisor
Scuba dive with Pro Dive Mexico of Cozumel, Mexico
http://www.prodivemex.com/
Hope it helps.

 

[Christi]

#10 - interesting considering that the only people that dive with them are out of the resorts they reside in. I'm sure they are fine, but the Trip Advisor ratings are very skewed. The ratings for the most part are "qualified" by high volume and frequent reviews. Some shops and establishments that have been in business for less than two years have exponentially more reviews than others that have been in business and have established reputations for years. Just an observation.

 

[annlaur]

I know, Christi, that's why I asked if someone here has had first hand experience with them.
The lady I'm trying to help wants an AI with good food (which I believe Playa Azul has, correct me if I'm wrong) and good snorkeling from shore (for her non-diving, prone to sea-sickness husband). Problem is she obviously wants a reputable dive operation and I don't know of any that can pick up there besides the onsite ProDive.

Also recommanded Cozumel Palace and a variety of reputable dive ops (including yours).

And told them about the great restaurants in Coz, and that non-AI would give them more options.

I think the island would see more European divers (the French I know who dove Cozumel did so from the mainland) if there were more pick up opportunities in the North hotel zone. It is quieter there, has a less mass tourism feel and offers more beautiful ocean views than the stretch between Mega and Caleta, yet still offers great snorkeling. I'm sure there's a reason for the lack of dive op pick-ups up North (fuel costs? logistics?), but I have a feeling there's a potential there. Maybe if Scuba Du fares well at Hotel B, others will follow.

I'll stop hijacking my own thread now. Soooo, any first hand experience with ProDive at Playa Azul ?

 

[Ron Lee]

It is a cheap enough taxi ride to town. Don't let the north side pickup issue drive votre decision.

 

[Christi]

Playa Azul is a great hotel, but it is not AI (unless that has very recently changed).

You're right, the reason for so few north pick-ups is due to fuel and logistics. To bring the boats from Caleta (where most reside) up north, then back south to dive and than back north to drop off and then back to the caleta would literally double the fuel - which is the primary expense and factors that determine cost of sending the boat out. Shops who keep their boats in Puerto Abrigo obviously don't have that same issue and can offer pick-ups in the north more easily. When we are planning dives in the north, we can offer pick-ups there as well - but the downtown Aldora pier is pretty much the furthest north anyone will pick-up. Even then, most do not because it is still a significant more amount of fuel, not to mention that it is not a free public pier - we pay a monthly fee for use + a a per diver fee. Another thing is that many hotels up north do not have suitable piers for the boats to pull up to. So I hope that helps explain why you don't see many offering north pick-ups.

Thank you for recommending me as well - I really do appreciate it

 

[azscubadude]

Playa Azul is a great hotel, but it is not AI (unless that has very recently changed).

It has changed and offers an AI option on all its packages now with everything included.. Including top shelf bar drinks and beer. It changed around March of this year.