Question What Dive Op to use in Cozumel for a newer diver?

[alexthsong]

I will be going to Cozumel sometime around June, at which point I will have taken a nitrox course, and weather permitting, I will have my Advanced Open Water certification. My question is which dive shop I should choose. I would prefer something more personal (no cattle boats), and be able to dive my computer (From what I've been told I have fairly decent air management at depth). From looking at other threads it seems Scuba Tony, Aldora, Tres Pelicanos, Dive Palancar, and Blue Angel seem popular.

Edit: I'm also looking at buying and bringing my own gear, so rinse stations are a must.

 

[MidOH]

Jealous if you pick blue angle.

Not sure exactly what you guys call cattle boats. I didn't spot anything roomy.

 

[alexthsong]

Jealous if you pick blue angle.

Not sure exactly what you guys call cattle boats. I didn't spot anything roomy.

From looking at other posts, Dressel Divers would be an example of a bunch of people on a big boat and you are locked in a group, so if someone blows (ha) through all their air in 30 mins, you have to go up too.
You think Blue Angel is good? What did you like about them?

 

[MidOH]

I didn't get to dive with them. They're for sure my next go to, when I get back to CZM.

1st thing I noticed about CZM: Stick with your group tightly. You don't want to miss the boat.

And don't chase the eagle rays. They always circle back for some reason.

 

[alexthsong]

I didn't get to dive with them. They're for sure my next go to, when I get back to CZM.

Who have you dove with, and why didn't you like them?

 

[MidOH]

But their boats do seem nice, tank clips won't pinch my wing.

I've been there a few times, dived whatever the cruise line sent us.

I think every boat we got on, had +1 divers or snorkelers that were left behind in the water. Don't count on your captain being able to count.

Having after hours shore diving available at the resort, is a must have on my next trip.

One 2 tank boat, just ain't enough for me.

 

[rmssetc]

I've been there a few times, dived whatever the cruise line sent us.

I think every boat we got on, had +1 divers or snorkelers that were left behind in the water. Don't count on your captain being able to count.

Wow.

That may be the best illustration of the difference between a large[r]-boat operation (cattle boat) and the smaller "boutique" or "valet" six-pack (up to 8 passengers on most boat) operators.

I've never heard of a mis-count or anyone getting left behind on any of the smaller boats. Heck, most of the dive masters on those boats even have enough fingers to count all the passengers.

 

[alexthsong]

Wow.

That may be the best illustration of the difference between a large[r]-boat operation (cattle boat) and the smaller "boutique" or "valet" six-pack (up to 8 passengers on most boat) operators.

I've never heard of a mis-count or anyone getting left behind on any of the smaller boats. Heck, most of the dive masters on those boats even have enough fingers to count all the passengers.

Have you dove with someone in Cozumel that you recommend?

 

[MidOH]

Yeah.

Especially with my limited exposure to CZM and PDC. To pick up extras, not once, but twice.......scary.

 

[morecowbells]

We got certified in Cozumel through Scuba Tony. It was a great dive op for starting out. They are very good in getting divers comfortable in the water practicing safe diving practices. We used them for several years. I don't know if it is still their policy to limit dive times, and ascending as a group but that is when we shifted over to Bottom Time Divers. We dive our computers, and groups are never more than 6 divers. I am a stickler for generous surface intervals which BTD is always strict in enforcing.