The Dilemma

[nodakdive]

I’d like to piggyback onto this thread. Looking at a fall trip (first time) and have been scouring posts and web sites gathering info. Although a downtown hotel and one of several well known dive ops seems to be favoured by most frequent fliers I’m not sure if I’d like the “buzz”of being downtown all the time. Being on the ocean at least gives a view to hang out and enjoy with a cocktail even though there are no beaches per se unless all inclusive down south. So I’m looking at scuba club Cozumel and Blue angel. They offer at least breakfast (BA) and lunch (Scc), shore diving (both) and are a short (scc) walk to town for evening meal. We like to be on the ocean and to do at least one afternoon dive or even mess around snorkelling after the AM dives. SCC looks pretty dated and I don’t see much discussion here about it. Blue angel is farther from town but appears a bit newer. We don’t mind an evening walk to dine. Anybody have recent experience with these? Dive op’s and boats good?
Also regarding nitrox most dive ops on other islands I’ve been to provide an on boat analyzer- is this typical for Coz?
Thanks.

I've never stayed at either, but another consideration may be boat size. Scuba Club is more of a big boat operation, while I believe Blue Angel is more of a small boat operation.

 

[drrich2]

SCC looks pretty dated and I don’t see much discussion here about it.

I've seen threads about it in the past, which were complimentary overall from what I recall. It may be worth some digging via Search may turn up more info. I've not used them and have no opinion either way, just saying it might be worthwhile to research them.

If I understood correctly, it sounded like a good 'all in one' package (e.g.: accommodation, boat diving, meals) offering at a good price plus onsite shore diving. They're obviously not the only 'all in one' offering, but SCC has its fans.

 

[ggunn]

I've never stayed at either, but another consideration may be boat size. Scuba Club is more of a big boat operation, while I believe Blue Angel is more of a small boat operation.

Blue Angel has two small (6-8 divers) boats - the Blue Angel II and the Jibara - and one larger (~20 divers) boat - the No Problem. When they have more divers than space on their boats they rent freelancer boats.

 

[nodakdive]

Blue Angel has two small (6-8 divers) boats - the Blue Angel II and the Jibara - and one larger (~20 divers) boat - the No Problem. When they have more divers than space on their boats they rent freelancer boats.

How is it decided which boat you're on? Is it luck of the draw? By request?

 

[ggunn]

How is it decided which boat you're on? Is it luck of the draw? By request?

It varies but you can usually choose. Usually the small boats go out at 8AM and the large one goes out at 10AM or later, but they sometimes change that depending on the number of divers who want to go out at some particular time. We prefer the small boats; there was only one morning during my last two week stay when logistics dictated that we go out on the large boat. It was no big deal.

 

[azstinger11]

I’ll be different, I’d stay at the AI. The food In Cozumel in our opinion was not good, and we feel made a good effort to try and avoid the junky tourist places (as is our habit, try and eat/enjoy local flavors and cuisines not stuff we can get back home). Cross the channel to Playa Del Carmen and the food is outstanding. So I’d just stay on the AI and hope the food is better than in the town offerings, which in our opinion wouldn’t be too hard.

We do plan on going back, since our last trip was in the prime of COVID, so maybe stuff wasn’t up to par or whatever. But in our many travels across the globe, Cozumel is near the absolute bottom in food for us.

 

[ggunn]

I’ll be different, I’d stay at the AI. The food In Cozumel in our opinion was not good, and we feel made a good effort to try and avoid the junky tourist places (as is our habit, try and eat/enjoy local flavors and cuisines not stuff we can get back home). Cross the channel to Playa Del Carmen and the food is outstanding. So I’d just stay on the AI and hope the food is better than in the town offerings, which in our opinion wouldn’t be too hard.

We do plan on going back, since our last trip was in the prime of COVID, so maybe stuff wasn’t up to par or whatever. But in our many travels across the globe, Cozumel is near the absolute bottom in food for us.

We all have our opinions; mine is that the food in the restaurants in town, at least at the places I go to eat, is excellent.

 

[Redfoot]

I’ll be different, I’d stay at the AI. The food In Cozumel in our opinion was not good, and we feel made a good effort to try and avoid the junky tourist places (as is our habit, try and eat/enjoy local flavors and cuisines not stuff we can get back home). Cross the channel to Playa Del Carmen and the food is outstanding. So I’d just stay on the AI and hope the food is better than in the town offerings, which in our opinion wouldn’t be too hard.

We do plan on going back, since our last trip was in the prime of COVID, so maybe stuff wasn’t up to par or whatever. But in our many travels across the globe, Cozumel is near the absolute bottom in food for us.

I am curious what restaurants you ate at? There are dozens of great restaurants right downtown that have very good, homemade and high quality food. There are the places that cater to the tourist crowd, but they are usually easy to spot and from what I have heard, actually have decent food (albeit not local or Mexican food). Then there are the cruise ship piers, with Hooters, Senor Frogs, Hardees, Starbucks, etc. Take those for what they are worth- the same junk you can get anywhere!

I stayed at Blue Angel last week and found the food there to be very, very good, and I enjoy the ease of quick breakfast and lunch, especially on 4x dive days. The service was spot on as well.

 

[Redfoot]

I’d like to piggyback onto this thread. Looking at a fall trip (first time) and have been scouring posts and web sites gathering info. Although a downtown hotel and one of several well known dive ops seems to be favoured by most frequent fliers I’m not sure if I’d like the “buzz”of being downtown all the time. Being on the ocean at least gives a view to hang out and enjoy with a cocktail even though there are no beaches per se unless all inclusive down south. So I’m looking at scuba club Cozumel and Blue angel. They offer at least breakfast (BA) and lunch (Scc), shore diving (both) and are a short (scc) walk to town for evening meal. We like to be on the ocean and to do at least one afternoon dive or even mess around snorkelling after the AM dives. SCC looks pretty dated and I don’t see much discussion here about it. Blue angel is farther from town but appears a bit newer. We don’t mind an evening walk to dine. Anybody have recent experience with these? Dive op’s and boats good?
Also regarding nitrox most dive ops on other islands I’ve been to provide an on boat analyzer- is this typical for Coz?
Thanks.

Working on video and trip report now from a recent trip to Blue Angel.

I really enjoyed it- great boats, captains, DM's, staff, food, grounds and logistics. Close enough to town for walk or quick cab ride, but also excellent food and service onsite if you don't want to leave.

The rooms are large, all have an ocean view balcony, AC worked great, hot water and water pressure were consistent, beds comfortable and room was very clean (but dated). Strong WiFi everywhere- good enough to stream HBO in the rooms.

My only negative, at no fault of the hotel, is the noise from the road at night and a local bar that plays loud electronic music on random nights of the week. The road noise becomes ambient, and I was so tired from diving that it didn't bother me. Blue Angel is very upset at the new bar nearby that plays the music. They are doing everything they can to get them shut down. I am not sure when that place opened or who they cater to, but it can be annoying.

PM or post here with any questions, would be glad to answer.

 

[azstinger11]

I am curious what restaurants you ate at? There are dozens of great restaurants right downtown that have very good, homemade and high quality food. There are the places that cater to the tourist crowd, but they are usually easy to spot and from what I have heard, actually have decent food (albeit not local or Mexican food). Then there are the cruise ship piers, with Hooters, Senor Frogs, Hardees, Starbucks, etc. Take those for what they are worth- the same junk you can get anywhere!

I stayed at Blue Angel last week and found the food there to be very, very good, and I enjoy the ease of quick breakfast and lunch, especially on 4x dive days. The service was spot on as well.

At this point I don’t recall. But it was all places recommended when I asked here. The one redeeming dish was the off-menu lion fish Marsala.