Well, just back from a couple of great weeks in Playa del Carmen so, here a quick review of the dive ops I used there.
I did my first couple of trips with Go Cenotes, one cenotes trip and one ocean. I found the divemasters to be friendly and competent. The groups were small and the diving was was good. I was attracted to this dive op because they offered Nitrox for the same price as air (although their basic prices were a bit higher than other ops). Unfortunately, they were very difficult to get in contact with to arrange more dives - for the ocean dives I could only book it late the evening before and they couldn't get nitrox ordered in time (I ended up doing a deco dive on air!). When I tried to book more dives the shop was closed and the telephone was going permanently over to answer machine. I gave up and went to find another dive shop.
I did the rest of my diving through Dive Mike. I'd dived previously with this shop a couple of years ago when it was owned by another owner - I had enjoyed it but not been overly impressed. This shop is now back in Mike's hands and seems to have benefited from changing back. I made the first trip out to Angelita cenote with just Mike as divemaster and a driver to mind the car while we dived (apparently Angelita has seen thefts in the past). Mike was a great dive guide and the diving was wonderful. I also did some Cozumel and night diving through Dive Mike and everything went smoothly and was great fun.
Overall, I'd probably use Dive Mike next time (assuming it stays under his ownership). Go Cenotes would be good if you can book everything in advance, but don't count on being able to contact them if your plans change.
And, lastly, try including Angelita cenote in your diving - it's definitely a unique experience.
I did my first couple of trips with Go Cenotes, one cenotes trip and one ocean. I found the divemasters to be friendly and competent. The groups were small and the diving was was good. I was attracted to this dive op because they offered Nitrox for the same price as air (although their basic prices were a bit higher than other ops). Unfortunately, they were very difficult to get in contact with to arrange more dives - for the ocean dives I could only book it late the evening before and they couldn't get nitrox ordered in time (I ended up doing a deco dive on air!). When I tried to book more dives the shop was closed and the telephone was going permanently over to answer machine. I gave up and went to find another dive shop.
I did the rest of my diving through Dive Mike. I'd dived previously with this shop a couple of years ago when it was owned by another owner - I had enjoyed it but not been overly impressed. This shop is now back in Mike's hands and seems to have benefited from changing back. I made the first trip out to Angelita cenote with just Mike as divemaster and a driver to mind the car while we dived (apparently Angelita has seen thefts in the past). Mike was a great dive guide and the diving was wonderful. I also did some Cozumel and night diving through Dive Mike and everything went smoothly and was great fun.
Overall, I'd probably use Dive Mike next time (assuming it stays under his ownership). Go Cenotes would be good if you can book everything in advance, but don't count on being able to contact them if your plans change.
And, lastly, try including Angelita cenote in your diving - it's definitely a unique experience.
