Suggestions: First trip to Cozumel

[lundysd]

I am planning on passing my OW certification this April , and I am trying to put together a 5-7 day trip to Cozumel for May. This will be my first real dive trip after having taken several resort classes and roughly 20 hours of pooltime for my OW certification. I need your suggestions on how to arrange this trip; I've read through some of the posts and have some ideas, but I need suggestions on the following questions

What's the best fast-boat operator for my level of experience? I am looking to get away from the large cattle-herders and find a customer-oriented dive operator, even if it's a little more expensive

Which sites should I try to dive for sure? I would love to try and get my Nitrox at the beginning of this trip, but I'm not sure if it will happen or not, so take this into consideration

Where should I stay?

Any other suggestions in general? I already have my plane reservations, but will it be a problem booking an operator with 1.5 months advance notice? Thanks for the help

Scott

 

[MoonWrasse]

Nitrox. Why rush it? Get some experience in buoyancy, control, etc first.

As for sites, get the Lonely Planet Diving Cozumel book. It's about $15 and lists all the sites.

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/produc...sID=10&seriesname=Diving & Snorkeling Guides&

 

[Moodiejeff]

Are you coming alone? Or with a significant other? As you noted earlier you've been doing your homework so you'll see a bunch of names pop up over and over. Some better than others... I've been to Coz 5 times but have only used 2 dive ops (Blue XT~Sea & Scuba Du) and stayed at 2 hotels (Caribe Blu & The Presidente). All of which come with my highest recommendation.

What's the best fast-boat operator for my level of experience? I am looking to get away from the large cattle-herders and find a customer-oriented dive operator, even if it's a little more expensive

You'll get many reponses on this but Christi (Blue XT~Sea) is a perennial fave around here. I've used her op twice and will use them again in June.

Which sites should I try to dive for sure?

Be honest with your divemaster, let them check you out and let them choose for the first few days. All the sites are good. 1st dive will generally be a wall dive, 2nd a shallower reef dive.

I would love to try and get my Nitrox at the beginning of this trip,

As stated earlier, maybe worry about getting your feet wet 1st... Buoyancy control is key as you have to watch your depth. Plus, you'll have enough to deal with after just getting your certification. On the other hand, it's not too difficult. If you decide to go for it, do what you can before you leave, don't waste precious vacation time studying. I got my Nitrox cert. through Blue XT~Sea.

Where should I stay?

Again, it's all on personal preference, budget and if you have someone else along to please.
Caribe Blu is a good cheap alternative around $70ish per night. I heard they are pretty booked already for May.
Presidente on the other hand , is over $200 a night... expensive but really nice. Shore diving is really good there.

I won't comment on any other place as I've not stayed at any of them

Any other suggestions in general? I already have my plane reservations, but will it be a problem booking an operator with 1.5 months advance notice?

Don't wait too much longer... The good ones fill up fast (and may already be booked)

 

[lundysd]

Thanks for the great info so far

I will be going with a significant other, but I will be the only one diving unfortunately. Christi seems to be a very popular choice around here indeed, and this is the op I'm leaning toward right now.

I know I'm still just learning, but I am hoping to have another 5-10 OW dives between my certification and this trip; I'm working hard on my buoyancy and general skills and have really fallen in love with diving (even in the zero viz lakes or just the pool).

I understand that most people are in favor of taking things slow, but when I start a new hobby I tend to jump in feet first (no pun intended ) I am going to try and limit myself as far as this goes, but if my trip would be limited by not having the Nitrox option I would rather do it now and at least keep my options open for the last few days. In any event, I will be taking AOW/Master/Rescue/Nitrox in 4-6 months after I have some experience (taught as 1 course through the university).

Thanks again and safe diving,
Scott

 

[Moodiejeff]

What does your significant other want out of this trip? Is she going to go shopping while you dive or lay on the beach? What's your budget?

The closer to town, no beach.

Here's a good link that compares some of the hotels

And a beach thread...

 

[MgicTwnger]

The $8 Coz map from this company has great info on everything about Coz:
hotels, restaurants, diving, etc. I wouldn't go there without it!
http://www.cancunmap.com/

 

[Hooked4Life]

Scott,

We stayed at Hotel Coz and dove with Christi ( BlueXT~Sea)..

Hotel Coz was o.k. I would stay there again, but the food (a.i) was horrible. Breakfast was good, lunch was o.k. and dinner was edible. In the future, if i chose to stay at Hotel Coz, it would be the convienence to town for dinner and the ability to either dive/snorkel off the pier...Although nothing great to see there its nice to get in the day you arrive.. You really cant beat it for the price..

Im trying to plan our next trip sometime this year, however school is really not vacation friendly I'd love to try out Caribe Blu. They are on the beach is another factor I really didnt like about hotel coz (not really a beach at hotel coz)...


As for Christi, could not have been HAPPIER ! I was certified 2(?) years ago and hated all the gear associated with quarry and cold water..I was seriously ready never to dive again..Boy am I happy I did !!! We got AOW with Javier (Christi's DM) and he was EXCELLENT..He made us feel like we were the most important and was genuinly concerned about our safety..These people dive every day and IMO we got a better education from them then we did at home (BOW)...I would suggest getting AOW with them; although not necessary..Just learn from them , they have a wealth of information and IMO you could not have a better leader...

Oh, and If you do dive w/ them..Make sure you get Mago to do the magic tricks

 

[ggunn]

I am going to try and limit myself as far as this goes, but if my trip would be limited by not having the Nitrox option I would rather do it now and at least keep my options open for the last few days.

Not having nitrox yet will not keep you from doing anything, diving-wise.

 

[RICHinNC]

anyone got a website for the carib blue?? i googled it and came up empty

 

[Hooked4Life]

anyone got a website for the carib blue?? i googled it and came up empty

http://www.cozumel-hotels.net/la-reina/