Shore diving at Presidente?

[jlcnuke]

Has anyone dove with Scuba Du? (Their website needs updated.)

There have been some big organizational changes in the last year, but I don't doubt that they are at least safe. Many other options.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

ScubaDu and Aldora are 2 of the 4 on my "short list" for diving while I'm there in late May next year. The "pros" for these two include "they hold and take care of" all gear while diving with them for a multi-day package. Scuba Du, however, is right there and so I wouldn't have to lug all our gear (3 of us diving) via cab to another location a day in advance (as I read is required for the diving with Aldora), so there is that convenience of using the local dive shop. Aldora, however, has larger tanks so more dive time per dive, but also a corresponding increase in price per dive. In general I think it's a fair change in price, though I wish they had discount package pricing but I couldn't find any info on that. Maybe Dave can clarify if that's an option?. Aldora also has a lower "max number of divers" per DM; I couldn't find a max for Scuba Du, but some have said the boats they use could be considered "cattle boats" though when we'll be there (late may-early june) isn't really "busy season" as I understand it. Both Scuba Du and Aldora (as I understand it) depart/pick us up from the docks at the Presidente so no cab fees on diving days to worry about.

DWMartin is the cheapest option, but doesn't do local pickup and doesn't hold/take care of our gear as far as I can tell. That makes them less desirable imo.

I'd be happy to hear other options and/or more/better info on any of these options. In general, I'd prefer pickup at docks at the resort, multi-day package discounts, AND ops that hold and take care of our gear from first day diving until our last day of diving.

 

[nwflyboy]

Any good op will take all your gear and manage it for you (if you want) for the duration.
Any good op will pick you up/drop you off at the El Prez dock.
There are a bunch of good ops that have larger tanks.
The best ops also provide a high level of service, from big things (making stuff work for you when something goes sideways) to little touches that add to your comfort/enjoyment. They take care of you.
IMHO, getting on a cattle boat seems like a very, very misguided choice, given all the excellent alternatives that are available.

There are plenty of good choices. I don't know anything about ScubaDo, but I don't recall ever seeing them mentioned here in any of the "root for your favorite dive op" threads. That, plus the fact that they're the in-house op from a large hotel are both signs that would give me some concerns.

I always dive with Living Underwater and highly recommend them; I believe they would meet all your criteria. But there are other great dive ops, too (those you see mentioned here all the time - there are about a four or five that seem to get 99% of the love here). I would be confident that any of them would be great - you don't get unsolicited praise if you're not doing things right. There are countless (endless) threads here on Cozumel dive ops (in fact, half the threads here eventually devolve into fans rooting for their preferred op - this one is probably about to...) - you should read some of them.

I'd say that for most of us here, we generally stay away from the in-house dive ops that are associated with the bigger hotels (because the independent "boutique" dive ops provide a far, far superior experience).

FWIW I stayed at the El Prez last year, and am going back in February. You will like the hotel - very comfy place. Only downsides are 1) well, it's not exactly cheap; and 2) it's too far from town for a reasonable walk to/from dinner. As for 1) we're paying with points, for 2) we will suffer with cabs.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Trailboss123]

ScubaDu and Aldora are 2 of the 4 on my "short list" for diving while I'm there in late May next year. The "pros" for these two include "they hold and take care of" all gear while diving with them for a multi-day package. Scuba Du, however, is right there and so I wouldn't have to lug all our gear (3 of us diving) via cab to another location a day in advance (as I read is required for the diving with Aldora), so there is that convenience of using the local dive shop. Aldora, however, has larger tanks so more dive time per dive, but also a corresponding increase in price per dive. In general I think it's a fair change in price, though I wish they had discount package pricing but I couldn't find any info on that. Maybe Dave can clarify if that's an option?. Aldora also has a lower "max number of divers" per DM; I couldn't find a max for Scuba Du, but some have said the boats they use could be considered "cattle boats" though when we'll be there (late may-early june) isn't really "busy season" as I understand it. Both Scuba Du and Aldora (as I understand it) depart/pick us up from the docks at the Presidente so no cab fees on diving days to worry about.

DWMartin is the cheapest option, but doesn't do local pickup and doesn't hold/take care of our gear as far as I can tell. That makes them less desirable imo.

I'd be happy to hear other options and/or more/better info on any of these options. In general, I'd prefer pickup at docks at the resort, multi-day package discounts, AND ops that hold and take care of our gear from first day diving until our last day of diving.

As @nwflyboy said! -- there are numerous dive ops that will handle all of your gear for the entire length of stay and also numerous dive ops that will pick you up from El Presidente. We all have our favorites for our various reasons. I think Cozumel has the highest number of options for where to stay, where to eat and who to dive with than any place on the planet. It is all a matter of finding the trifecta that works best for you and your needs/desires. The great thing is that you will- due to all of the options and high quality overall.

 

[flyboy08]

As @nwflyboy said! -- there are numerous dive ops that will handle all of your gear for the entire length of stay and also numerous dive ops that will pick you up from El Presidente. We all have our favorites for our various reasons. I think Cozumel has the highest number of options for where to stay, where to eat and who to dive with than any place on the planet. It is all a matter of finding the trifecta that works best for you and your needs/desires. The great thing is that you will- due to all of the options and high quality overall.

Couldn't of said it better. This is why we're revisiting Occidental.....usually not an AI type family, but the room and meal plan is so cheap for us we don't have any problems hitting town for dinner. I like to wake, walk a few yards, eat....then head to the on site dive ops ProDive, check my Nitrox and then board the boat...all so easy peasy. After, lunch is served on the beach in their Hugh buffet area then it's either another dive or beAch and pool. It just amazes me how inexpensive the stay is for the week.

Our plane should be taking the active in exactly 12 hours