Scuba with Allison?

[chace_nicol]

Alison picks up at Casa Del Mar, El Cid (La Ceiba) and all places south of Caleta Marina.

Book early is my only advice, she fills up quickly for good reason

 

[jlt3b]

Hi everyone. I've been reading this thread about scuba with allison.
I'll be in Florida for a few days June 12-14th, and was thinking of possibly flying from there to Cozumel for the rest of that week. However, i've been concerned about it being the 'hurricane' season in the Carribean. Any input regarding the weather in Cozumel in June? Also, if I find her website, any thoughts as to the likelihood that she'll have openings on her dives if I try to schedule this 'late'? Thanks!
Jeff

 

[Diver Kat]

Hi everyone. I've been reading this thread about scuba with allison.
I'll be in Florida for a few days June 12-14th, and was thinking of possibly flying from there to Cozumel for the rest of that week. However, i've been concerned about it being the 'hurricane' season in the Carribean. Any input regarding the weather in Cozumel in June? Also, if I find her website, any thoughts as to the likelihood that she'll have openings on her dives if I try to schedule this 'late'? Thanks!
Jeff

June 1 is the beginning of the 'official' hurricane season, but if you look at the data, hurricanes have occurred outside the season, and the heaviest concentration usually occur in the August to October range. We usually travel to the Keys in June/July and don't worry about it. This year we're heading to Coz instead. We've gone to Coz in August as well. It's just one of those things - you either worry, or you don't.

If you're looking for Alison's website ... here it is. Scuba Dive Cozumel | ScubaWithAlison

If you're contacting her now, you're probably okay for June. But she does book up fairly fast so I would not wait till the last minute, or you might be out of luck.

 

[jlt3b]

Thanks Kat!
I think you are the perfet person to chat with then - I recently posted a separate thread asking for thoughts about the Florida keys in June, which you stated is where you 'usually' go in June. Okay, so here's the question. I've never been to either place (Coz or Keys). Which place, in June, do you think would be a better overall 5-7 day vacation for a single 38 yr old guy who is going to be travelling solo (so won't have a friend to be dive buddy, etc)? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Jeff

 

[Diver Kat]

Thanks Kat!
I think you are the perfet person to chat with then - I recently posted a separate thread asking for thoughts about the Florida keys in June, which you stated is where you 'usually' go in June. Okay, so here's the question. I've never been to either place (Coz or Keys). Which place, in June, do you think would be a better overall 5-7 day vacation for a single 38 yr old guy who is going to be travelling solo (so won't have a friend to be dive buddy, etc)? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Jeff

This is a hard one ... but my initial reaction is easily Cozumel, and here's my thought process...

If cost is a factor, it is usually quite a bit cheaper for hotel, diving & food in Coz. Now depending on airfare, that might change things. In both locations you shouldn't have a problem with not having a built-in dive buddy. I've been in both locations where people were traveling solo. The Keys have great wrecks, reefs and marine life, but nothing to compare to the majesty of reefs like Palancar, Columbia Deep, etc. in Coz. Diving is a bit more 'lazy' in Coz as it's drift diving - so no navigation to go find the boat. A dive master leads all dives and the boat follows and picks you up as you surface. With Alison - any many other ops in Coz - you dive your computer, the group does not come up together. Most of my dives in Florida have been timed dives, so even if you're not diving as a group, you have to back to the boat by a certain time and are not able to dive your computer.

I have not traveled solo, so I can't answer to which location might provide better and more opportunities to meet and hang out with other divers. Maybe someone else here on the boards could respond to that. I guess it could also depend on how comfortable you are traveling in another country solo, as opposed to being in the states solo. I do know that SBer's often organize a number of get-togethers on Coz (went to 2 our last trip) but I haven't seen anything similar in the Keys. That's likely because Coz has a much higher concentration of divers on the island at any given time.

Don't know if this helps at all, or not! But if you have any more questions for me, I'll do my best to answer!

 

[jlt3b]

Thanks Kat! Yes, that does help... I'm now leaning toward Coz, if the airfare and lodging is 'right'. If any other SB'ers have thoughts, or if any are going to be in Coz during the 6/15-6/20/2010 week, please let me know! Also - I'll probably use Scuba with Alison based on the reviews here. I've read good reviews on SB of Hotel Cozumel, but they supposedly have their own dive op (?). Any thoughts on good places to stay if i'm planning on diving with Alison? Also - when people go to Coz for a week or so, do most people stay in Coz or do people do 'day trips' anywhere else?

Thanks again for all the info!

Best,
Jeff

 

[DiverG]

Thanks Kat! Yes, that does help... I'm now leaning toward Coz, if the airfare and lodging is 'right'. If any other SB'ers have thoughts, or if any are going to be in Coz during the 6/15-6/20/2010 week, please let me know! Also - I'll probably use Scuba with Alison based on the reviews here. I've read good reviews on SB of Hotel Cozumel, but they supposedly have their own dive op (?). Any thoughts on good places to stay if i'm planning on diving with Alison? Also - when people go to Coz for a week or so, do most people stay in Coz or do people do 'day trips' anywhere else?

Thanks again for all the info!

Best,
Jeff

Jeff, a lot of hotels may have a house dive op, but in most cases other dive operations are allowed to pick up at those piers. Also if you choose a 7 night trip use the promo code 200Entertain on Orbitz.com to get $200 off your Air/hotel package. Hotel Cozumel is one of hotels that you can get the $200 discount on.

 

[jlt3b]

Great info! Thanks DiverG!

 

[Sue Sue]

Jeff, a lot of hotels may have a house dive op, but in most cases other dive operations are allowed to pick up at those piers. Also if you choose a 7 night trip use the promo code 200Entertain on Orbitz.com to get $200 off your Air/hotel package. Hotel Cozumel is one of hotels that you can get the $200 discount on.

Also for 3 or more nights, less than 7 nights, you can use 50entertain for orbitz vacation packages. This will equal a $50.00 savings.

 

[jlt3b]

You guys are the best!!! Thanks again!