Shallow diving in Cozumel/Xcaret/Playa area?

[reefcomber]

My fiancee and I will only be Basic OW certified by the time we get to Mexico - we are staying in the Xcaret area.

Are there enough dive sites 60 feet or shallower? I sent an email to one dive op asking if we could be accomodated and only go to shallow sites, but is this reasonable?

Thanks in advance

 

[ibj40]

We have been to Puerto Aventuras numerous times, and usually you would have to have a shovel to get deeper than 60'. The deepest dive we have ever done on the Yucatan mainland is 100', so even there, you are way inside the recreational diver recommended limits. It would surprise me if you could not find a dive shop that would accomodate your requirements.

Welcome to diving, you two appear to be sharing a wonderful beginning.

 

[BrewingDiver]

Cozumel has plenty of good diving less than 60', but be sure to tell your dive operator in advance that is what you want. Otherwise the first dive will likely be deeper. They will probably be able to match you will others at your level. If not, try another operator. This is a perfectly reasonable request.

The diving is (mostly) all drift diving, so you will want to be comfortable with that. If not, and you decide to go anyway, be sure to tell the dive master that you haven't done that before so that they will be aware. This is not unusual for them, so should not be a problem. I would say that the most challenging aspect would be a free ascent and safety stop in current, though it's not really difficult at all, plus your risks of a missed stop, etc., with dives so shallow are minimized. If you have good bouyancy control it's the easiest of diving to me (very little finning!).

 

[reefcomber]

Thanks for the replies - I actually looked some more and found a dive site map that details depths less than 60 ft - looks like diving out of Playa might be the way to go

 

[cddfamily]

Reefcomber,

We recently returned from Puerto Aventuras/Xcaret area and had excellent service from Aquanauts Dive Rite center. We chose them based on recommendations from other SBers and were not disappointed. My daughter was certified last year and had not dived since then, so I emailed Aquanauts and specifically set up a dive plan for the week to refresh and grow her skills. Most of our dives were in the 45 to 60 fsw range and there was plenty to see. The DM was excellent at taking his time with her and splitting groups into experience levels. Natalie was so good at coaching that my daughter even did her first night dive with no animosity.

You can see my report and others recommendations a few threads down, "Advice for diving and fun near Puerto Adventuras".

Please contact Natalie or Dennis and tell them Cliff sent you. This is a great place to take your OW cert and grow your skills and confidence, while seeing some amazing life/eco system. They are easy dives too, no more than 5 - 10 minutes boat trips.

Aquanauts Dive Rite Tek Center of Mexico
On the Central Marina next to Cafe Ole in Puerto Aventuras.
Toll free from the USA 1.877.623.2491
If calling from outside Mexico 011.52.984.873.5041
Our hours are 7 days a week from 8:00am - 6:00m central
Aquanauts Dive Rite Tek Center- scuba, cavern diving, dive instruction, retail on the Mexican Caribbean

have fun,
cddfamily

 

[cxdivers]

This is very reasonable. Xcaret is located in Playa del Carmen just south of Cancún. Right off the coast there are more that a few shallow areas to dive into. A site call Sabalos (Tarpon), another called Tortugas, even the Barracuda Site is very nice diving, although it may get as deep as 50ft.

I just openned a dive shop in Playa del Carmen and will be happy to help you out in planning a memorable dive vacation.

sales@cxdivers.com

 

[cxdivers]

Good choice, let me know if you need anything.