Shore diving options

[ggunn]

We'll mainly be doing boat dives. I was just looking for a place to hang out in the afternoon and do a shore dive. I'm getting there a few days before the other guys, so I had thought I would rent the tanks for them, but if we can just show up at El presidente or La Ceiba in the afternoon, and do a shore dive from there, that'll be easier than trying to arrange an afternoon dive, not knowing exactly how long after they get off the plane they would be ready to hit the water.

So, the Barge wreck is off El Presidente then? I suppose it's marked somehow too?

I have heard rumors of folks having trouble diving at the Presidente (or getting tanks there, or something) when they were not staying there, so you might want to check that out beforehand.

There are no such difficulties diving at the La Ceiba complex. It's easier to get to as well; the road is much nearer the water, the dive shop is readily accessible, and there are places to get a beer afterwards right there on the water.

 

[travelem]

When I went to dive with Scuba Du while not staying at Presidente. The security guard at the gate asked for the email reference with Scuba Du before letting my taxi in.

 

[divematt]

The shore diving is very nice at El Cid La Ceiba especially for photography both day and night. I stayed there for 9 days in May and although I'll be staying at Plaza Las Glorias in 9 days, I intend to do a little picture taking in the "near" current free maximum 34' depth area off shore. Although it's no boat dive, it's not bad. The broken up airplane shelters quite a few fish and there's quite a variety. Some of my best photos of the more common fish were taken there. La Ceiba is only 2 1/2 miles from town and a mile north of El Presidente. There is a fresh water shower for you and a fresh water wash tank for your gear. There is also a nice ledge to sit and rest your gear on while straping it on. You can hang your wetsuit under the shelter to drip dry while packing up the rest of your other gear.

 

[MAGELLAN]

What do You think? Would I have trouble getting to the barge wreck, being that I'm not staying at the El Presidente? Actually, I'm staying in a villa in town, and I've rented a car. I would assume that if there's a dive shop near El Presidente, I would have access to it? Is Scuba Du at El Presidente? Thanks for the info

 

[Charlie99]

Would I have trouble getting to the barge wreck, being that I'm not staying at the El Presidente? Is Scuba Du at El Presidente?

IIRC, El Presidente charges a "facilities fee" of a few dollars to non-guests coming onto the property --- primarily because of all of the cruise ship people that come to hang out at the beach.

Scuba Du is onsite, and will rent you tanks and point you to the barge (go out 75 yard from the left hand side of the restaurant).

 

[Foo]

If you would prefer to dive with a DM, you could go to the Chankanaab Marine Park. Since you have a car, you wouldn't have to pay a taxi to drive that far south. Easy to find, just head south and follow the signs. It's $12 a person to get in (was only $10 in Feb.) and $16-18 dollars for a one-tank dive with DM (includes tank rental and weights).

There are sunken statues, a LOT of fish, and coral, although some of it is pretty rough looking up by the shore. You also get to go through the mouth of a cavern, complete with a halocline, and there are huge tarpon waiting there to attack the sardines at the mouth. For an extra fee you can dive with dolphins. We didn't pay the extra fee, but I've spoken to several who say it was worth the $, it's over $100, though I can't remember exactly how much.

There's a small Mayan museum, replicas of mayan ruins, a botanical garden complete with iguanas, a beautiful lagoon, several restaurants/cafes', and a few little shops. Also no boats are allowed and the current is mild.

I did my first saltwater dive there in Feb., and we took our daughter there last month (in fact, we sought out the same divemaster, Eduardo in Palapa #2). There are 4 dive shops to choose from. Not sure of everyone's experience level, but if anyone in your party is a new diver, it's very nice for building confidence. This is also a great place if you have snorkelers in your party. I had no problem with dropping off a boat the following day, after diving here. Max depth for me was 25'.

We saw some huge barracuda, Gray Queen Angels, yellow stingrays, squirrelfish, lobster, damselfish, butterflyfish, coneyfish and much more. Okay, hope you have a great time in Coz and be sure and give us a dive report!
Foo

 

[alemaozinho]

Some friends and I are going to cozumel next week. They would like to do a shore dive the day before we do boat dives, to get used to their equipment, get their weight right etc. Any suggestions on a good shore dive location? I've been there before, but never did any shore dives. I'm thinking that theres' an airplane wreck near a hotel and a place called the barge wreck? are those good places? and how would I locate them? Thanks.

shore dive s are done along the coast,mmmmmmmhhhhhh!

 

[Mphill9929]

One can do a wall dive from the Villablanca dock using the buoy for the lighthouse power cable as an end marker and getting out at the lighthouse. It's not as spectacular as Santa Rosa, and there's a 100 yard swim in and out (which you need to do at depth because of boat traffic), but the price is right.

Night diving on the section of Villablanca Reef between Villablanca hotel and Caribe Blu is pretty good, too.

Cheers,

This is not a novice dive - If you do this on your own, it would be a good idea to go with someone who has done it before first. Some of the local DMs will take you out if you ask around. If you are determined and brave and go anyway - it is the SECOND power cable you need to follow back to get the the exit at the lighthouse.

Mark Phillips
www.thewetgazette.com

 

[ggunn]

This is not a novice dive - If you do this on your own, it would be a good idea to go with someone who has done it before first. Some of the local DMs will take you out if you ask around. If you are determined and brave and go anyway - it is the SECOND power cable you need to follow back to get the the exit at the lighthouse.

Not a novice dive - agreed. A very important thing about it is to swim out and back at depth due to boat traffic, and to carry a safety sausage in case of the unforseen.

I don't know what you mean by it being the second power cable, though. We drifted the wall to the buoy, followed the cable from there at about a 45 degree angle back to shore, and there we were at the lighthouse. Maybe there was another cable before it, but I didn't see it.

 

[Mphill9929]

Not a novice dive - agreed. A very important thing about it is to swim out and back at depth due to boat traffic, and to carry a safety sausage in case of the unforseen.

I don't know what you mean by it being the second power cable, though. We drifted the wall to the buoy, followed the cable from there at about a 45 degree angle back to shore, and there we were at the lighthouse. Maybe there was another cable before it, but I didn't see it.

It ahs been a while since I have done this dive but our exit landmark was teh second power cabel. If you leave at the firs, you are short cutting your dive. Depending on the current and your air consumption you might look for the second cable. I remember surfacing about 100 yards from shore on the second cable with 600 lbs of air or so ~ Just in case - you might ask and confirm that the second cable is still there ... like I said, it has been a while since I made that dive.

It seems like we are similar in experiences at Cozumel - we should hook up and make a dive. I will be down there next week. I have also been wanting to come up and camp/dive at Canyon Lake and Lake Travis. I have not been up there since the last PSD conference at Southwest Texas SU.

Mark Phillips
www.thewetgazette.com