I have been a long time member of this forum but this is the first time I have had cause to complain about a dive business (that I can recall)
We have been diving caves in Mexico using rebreathers for some pretty long interesting dives. My buddy's girlfriend is a new open water diver and wants to get some in water time as well. We took her to Dos Ojos for a cavern dive, which she thoroughly enjoyed but she also wanted to see the ocean. We booked two ocean dives with Scuba Tulum since they were just down the road from where we were staying. Now I have been to this area quite a number of times and I know how unpredictable the weather can be this time of year.
We went in and the dive shop was happy to take a booking but warned us if we were weathered out we would have to do a cenote dive instead. We said we were not interested in cenote since we had just finished literally miles of cave passage in the last few days. We were told to check with them the day before to see when the weather would cooperate. Last Thursday we had a good window and we headed to Akumal for some ocean diving. We paid them 900 pesos (since we owned our gear and didn't need fills) and the girlfriend paid full price. When we got there the sea was a little choppy but manageable. We had a pretty good first dive except the DM seemed concerned that the girlfriend was not using air fast enough and seemed to turn the dive into the current in order shorten the dive. When we got back in for our surface interval they told us the second dive was cancelled due to weather. They offered us a second cenote dive (for an extra fee) which we declined so we headed back to Tulum for a refund.
I must say I have been working on boats at sea for 35+ years and my estimation the sea state was declining not increasing but the captain has the final word.
When we got back to shop they would only refund me 300 pesos claiming that since 1200 pesos is full price for 2 dives we would have to pay the full 600 for one dive. I tried to argue the point but the guy flatly refused to listen to any logic so we calmly left the store and I figure the least I could do is let people who are looking for a dive op in this area to watch out for Scuba Tulum.
I should also mention our experience with Xibalba in Tulum was much more positive and they will be my shop of choice on my next visit.
We have been diving caves in Mexico using rebreathers for some pretty long interesting dives. My buddy's girlfriend is a new open water diver and wants to get some in water time as well. We took her to Dos Ojos for a cavern dive, which she thoroughly enjoyed but she also wanted to see the ocean. We booked two ocean dives with Scuba Tulum since they were just down the road from where we were staying. Now I have been to this area quite a number of times and I know how unpredictable the weather can be this time of year.
We went in and the dive shop was happy to take a booking but warned us if we were weathered out we would have to do a cenote dive instead. We said we were not interested in cenote since we had just finished literally miles of cave passage in the last few days. We were told to check with them the day before to see when the weather would cooperate. Last Thursday we had a good window and we headed to Akumal for some ocean diving. We paid them 900 pesos (since we owned our gear and didn't need fills) and the girlfriend paid full price. When we got there the sea was a little choppy but manageable. We had a pretty good first dive except the DM seemed concerned that the girlfriend was not using air fast enough and seemed to turn the dive into the current in order shorten the dive. When we got back in for our surface interval they told us the second dive was cancelled due to weather. They offered us a second cenote dive (for an extra fee) which we declined so we headed back to Tulum for a refund.
I must say I have been working on boats at sea for 35+ years and my estimation the sea state was declining not increasing but the captain has the final word.
When we got back to shop they would only refund me 300 pesos claiming that since 1200 pesos is full price for 2 dives we would have to pay the full 600 for one dive. I tried to argue the point but the guy flatly refused to listen to any logic so we calmly left the store and I figure the least I could do is let people who are looking for a dive op in this area to watch out for Scuba Tulum.
I should also mention our experience with Xibalba in Tulum was much more positive and they will be my shop of choice on my next visit.
