Video Cozumel October 2017

[D2H2]

Thanks for all for the nice words. This was the first time I used my new GoPro, so I'm still working out a few issues. Also, I was running my lights at 25% most of the time and need to turn those up to 50%.

Cozdreamer, Maracaibo is one of our favorite dives. In some ways it is like the east side of the island - large numbers of sea fans and whips as you can see in the video. The east side does have a lot more Elkhorn coral which is really beautiful. The biggest issue with diving Maracaibo is getting there. I think our success rate is about 50/50. Waves that are too big are the usual culprit.

 

[Cozdreamer]

D2H2, I agree about trying to get to Maracaibo. We've been to the island 12 times. Been in route to that dive site 4 times and all 4 times had to turn back for a closer in dive due to waves. I have great respect for the ocean and it's many conditions that can change on a dime! One day conditions will be perfect and the stars will line up for us to take the plunge there! Your video really makes me know it will be a treat!!! Continued safe bubbles to you. Thanks again for sharing your video!

 

[ggunn]

I dove Maracaibo several years ago and didn't particularly enjoy it, but maybe it was due to the part of the reef the op took us to. The top of the reef was at 125' and we went down the wall to 154', where we got to stay for all of 5 minutes. Then it was a very slow ascent through the deep blue with nothing to see, in and out of deco all the way up. I was underwhelmed.

 

[H2ODoc]

Who was your divemaster? He looks familiar. Great video!

 

[nodakdive]

I dove Maracaibo several years ago and didn't particularly enjoy it, but maybe it was due to the part of the reef the op took us to. The top of the reef was at 125' and we went down the wall to 154', where we got to stay for all of 5 minutes. Then it was a very slow ascent through the deep blue with nothing to see, in and out of deco all the way up. I was underwhelmed.

Sounds like you didn't have a stellar drop or route that time. I've had one dive as you've described, but other than that it's been nice. You do, at least we have, lose reef at about 50ish feet. Imo, the arch is cool but if you've done Maracaibo once with great viz, you've gotten the biggest bang for the buck. I think I've seen 17(?) minutes of obligation on my (very conservative) Suunto, and it was clear by the time we hit the safety stop.

One dive in that neck of the woods I've never done is Chunchakaab. Next trip I'm going to put more effort into getting there.

 

[D2H2]

I dove Maracaibo several years ago and didn't particularly enjoy it, but maybe it was due to the part of the reef the op took us to. The top of the reef was at 125' and we went down the wall to 154', where we got to stay for all of 5 minutes. Then it was a very slow ascent through the deep blue with nothing to see, in and out of deco all the way up. I was underwhelmed.

Ggunn, I agree with Nodakdive. I'm really surprised that they went that deep - hopefully the dive op did a good job of preping everyone for a dive of that depth. When we dive Maracaibo, we try to hit an arch that is at 108-115 ft. The arch is somewhat difficult to find but is a beautiful area and seems to be a good place to see large pelagics. We usually dive it on nitrox 32 being careful to go immediately under the arch at about 108 ft (closely monitoring our PPO2). As soon as we get through the arch, we head back up the wall with the current carrying us NW. Most of the rest of the dive is around 70-80 ft. That is the depth at which my video was taken. The dive from the video was about 50 min long (as an example). Don't be too disappointed if the dive op can't find the arch.....again, it isn't easy to locate.

H2O Doc - we had two DMs. For the first part of our trip our DM was Adrenne and the second part Dario (both Aldora). They are both fantastic DMs with very different styles (which we like).