SCC for Coz first timers?

[gdenny]

Hi all,

My wife and I are thinking of heading to Cozumel next June to do some diving. We each have OW and Nitrox cert. + 25 dives under our belt in about two years and have been to Belize and Curacao for diving during that time. So we're not completely green, but at the same time we're not as experienced as many on this board.

Our LDS recommended Scuba Club Cozumel and I'd like to know if you think it will live up to our expectations. Aah! Our expectations...

1. Great Diving - 2 or 3 a day w/ decent shoredive/nightdive on site. Knowledgable DM's and decent boats.
2. Clean Rooms
3. Decent food, we don't plan to eat there every night.
4. Close enough to town that we don't need a car every day.
5. Camradarie - Love to swap divetravel experiences with others in the Bar at night. It will probably be one of these conversations that kicks-off our next destination.
6. Hammock's
7. Get to see enough of Cozumel that we'll have a good feel for the place for our next trip!

I'd appreciate knowing if you think it will meet our needs. It sounds like they generate alot of repeat business on the board.

Thanks,
G :06:

 

[jlyle]

IMHO, you will be very happy that you chose SCC. It's where we stay when we are on the island. The only expectation that won't be met is #5, you won't find many people in the bar. You will find lot of comraderie, but the bar area is very quiet.

 

[Diver Mike]

I have gone to SCC for the last few years and completed my Nitrox, AOW and Rescue diver with them.

Really a good operation, divers for divers...

You will meet all expectations, except for number 5.

 

[HammerNoMore]

1. Great Diving - 2 or 3 a day w/ decent shoredive/nightdive on site. Knowledgable DM's and decent boats.

Great Diving is a given in Cozumel. Your dive experience is more under the control of the shop. IMHO you can get a much better dive experience from some other shops because they will work with you more on where you want to go, however if this is your first trip that's not so much an issue.

2. Clean Rooms

Not the cleanest on the island by a long shot, but they are not grungy or nasty.

3. Decent food, we don't plan to eat there every night.

Decent is probably a good description of the food at SCC, I definatly wouldn't go any higher. Eat there the first night, then on the second go to Casa Denis. See if you ever eat there again .

4. Close enough to town that we don't need a car every day.

This is highly dependant on how far you are willing to walk. I'd say it's a couple of clicks to town. It's really close to the Cozumel equivalent of WallMart. Stop there on your first day and grab some beer for your fridge.

5. Camradarie - Love to swap divetravel experiences with others in the Bar at night. It will probably be one of these conversations that kicks-off our next destination.

Only bar I remember is inside the dinner restraunt and I never saw anyone there. There are some great bars in town for this but you have to find them, you don't want to do the C&C thing.

6. Hammock's

They have 3 or 4.

7. Get to see enough of Cozumel that we'll have a good feel for the place for our next trip!

This is the most important part. Make sure you rent a car one day and drive around the island. While you're doing it, stop by some of the better hotels so next trip you know where to go. I'm sure someone (Gordon) can add to the list but here's a start:

Presidente
Occidental Grand
Caribe Blue (very similar to SCC but 10x better)


James

 

[ggunn]

This is highly dependant on how far you are willing to walk. I'd say it's a couple of clicks to town. It's really close to the Cozumel equivalent of WallMart. Stop there on your first day and grab some beer for your fridge.

[...]


This is the most important part. Make sure you rent a car one day and drive around the island. While you're doing it, stop by some of the better hotels so next trip you know where to go. I'm sure someone (Gordon) can add to the list but here's a start:

Presidente
Occidental Grand
Caribe Blue (very similar to SCC but 10x better)


James

Actually, Caribe Blu is my only contribution and you already mentioned it; I stay there every time and have since the early '80's. I really don't know a whole lot about the other hotels, except the Presidente is really nice and really expensive.

SCC is a cheap cab lift to town, so even if it's not a distance you'd want to walk frequently, renting a car for day to day travel is not necessary or even (IMO) advisable. Rent one for the day (or as some others have suggested, hire a cab) and make the trek around the island, though. It's a high point in every Coz trip for me.

Cheers,

 

[gdenny]

IMHO, you will be very happy that you chose SCC. It's where we stay when we are on the island. The only expectation that won't be met is #5, you won't find many people in the bar. You will find lot of comraderie, but the bar area is very quiet.

I may have put that wrong... about the bar. We're just enjoy hanging out with other divers and learning from others experiences. Whether it's on the boat, at lunch, whatever. It was on my mind because we just returned from Curacao where most of the divers at our resort were from Holland. We didn't seem to make the same connection with people as we did while in Belize, where most of the divers we met were from the US.

So far, it sounds like SCC may be a good place for us to start in Cozumel. I'll definitely make a trip around the island and see some of the other properties. But the first time down I want kind of a no-brainer so we can get our bearings.

Thanks,
G

 

[jlyle]

Please tell Sofia we said "hi." Have a great time and post a report when you get back.

Jim (jlyle)

 

[donooo]

You'll love SCC. I don't stay there cuz it costs to much. You'll never meet anyone in the bar cuz the liquor and beer are two expensive.

You'll have great shore diving and night diving in front of your room. You won't be picky enought to chose your dives until you've been there many weeks. You might acquire favorite dives. Constantly revolving.

There are at least ten hammocks.

Plenty of bars and restaurants within a mile. If you can't do two miles, you've got almost a year to get in shape. Or walk a mile and cab back or cab both ways. It's only money. You'll save a fortune over cab rides from Presidente.

Most of my friends stay there in January when the second person is half price. I walk down from the port office once or sometimes twice a day.

adios don O

 

[Chocoholic]

You'll love SCC. I don't stay there cuz it costs to much. You'll never meet anyone in the bar cuz the liquor and beer are two expensive.

You'll have great shore diving and night diving in front of your room. You won't be picky enought to chose your dives until you've been there many weeks. You might acquire favorite dives. Constantly revolving.

There are at least ten hammocks.

Most of my friends stay there in January when the second person is half price. I walk down from the port office once or sometimes twice a day.

I am hoping to go to Coz for the first time this January and I am wondering why you said January half price second person??? Is the weather sucky then? Hurricaines?? cold water? Also what about the Fiesta Americana - any idea how far from downtown? My hubby is a non diver so I am hoping there is lots to do for non-divers..... thanks for info

 

[ggunn]

I am hoping to go to Coz for the first time this January and I am wondering why you said January half price second person??? Is the weather sucky then? Hurricaines?? cold water? Also what about the Fiesta Americana - any idea how far from downtown? My hubby is a non diver so I am hoping there is lots to do for non-divers..... thanks for info

January is well clear of hurricane season (now is the peak - can't you tell?) and is pretty much high season for snowbirds. I guess they don't dive...

The Fiesta Americana is a long way from town, probably at least a $10 cab ride.

Cheers