What happened to Cozumel?

[Julerb1]

I just hope people quit going there so when I'm there there will be less people.

 

[uncfnp]

Unfortunately my recent experience was marred by all those huge red crustaceans crawling across the reef. All I could focus on was dinner.

 

[Soloist]

.

 

[BRT]

I don't find that video to be any better than I remember Cozumel and described it on this thread.

Some small scattered fish, nothing big, occasional interesting corals, most reef areas dull and lifeless.

Better than a great day at work but hardly "stunning".

Like I said.....

 

[peeweediver]

After reading this thread for days, I decided to jump in.... just cause. Though not a Coz regular or long-time visitor, I've been there 6 times beginning in 2002. Yes, it's not like 2002. However, we were just there in mid-January (I posted a review of Blue Angel) and I'll sum up the feelings from our group of 14. The first two days of diving were ...ok. First dive of day three was Columbia Deep and we felt wowed. The structures were wonderful to dive around, the sand was bright white and over the wall was deep, beautiful blue. Viz was great. The first dive the next two mornings were Punta Sur (not Devil's Throat cause we've all done it enough) and Palancar Caves. Again, reef structures were awesome and diving was quite enjoyable. Fish population was OK. Not mind-blowing, but OK. Eagle rays, Splendid Toad Fish, nurse sharks, a few turtles, small schools of fish, lobsters, etc., but not Coral Triangle fish populations or variety. Current was always manageable, even going North to see the Eagle Rays. We did see one huge, really huge, school of fish grazing on top of a ledge, but I don't remember the site...it was a middle site. Anyway, we all agreed we'd happily go back for the southern sites any day.
BTW, for the "regulars", we all felt that we needed more weight to get down than usual....same exposure protection thickness, etc as on other trips to other warm water destinations.. One person in our group said that Coz is known for that due to salinity. Had never heard that. Any thoughts?
Anyway, if you only dive a few days in Coz and stay in the middle tier sites, it may be a bit disappointing to you. Our group agreed that if we can get to the far south sites 4-5 times per trip, we're happy.

Rob

 

[Nemrod]

I love this shot (from my previous posting in this thread) but it would have been nice to have a cooperative buddy and a third strobe to remote fire. I would have staged the diver near the Mexican colors and had them point the strobe to light the flag. Probably use a full frame fisheye instead of my WWL-1. Maybe next time if it works out I can get one of the DMs to help. Some other stuff, about the only shark you will see in Cozumel is a nurse shark sleeping in a cave.

 

[JFS]

3 years ago I was talking to a woman who is in charge of the FWC in Florida. She was down here on vacation but she said she always works.... she told me the reefs in Cozumel were 30 % healthy. If they keep building more on Cozumel, the reefs will continue their decrease in health.

 

[BRT]

3 years ago I was talking to a woman who is in charge of the FWC in Florida. She was down here on vacation but she said she always works.... she told me the reefs in Cozumel were 30 % healthy. If they keep building more on Cozumel, the reefs will continue their decrease in health.

Punta Sur sites are unlikely to be affected by building on Cozumel. The current pretty much runs to the North.

 

[lionfish-eater]

I don't find that video to be any better than I remember Cozumel and described it on this thread.

Some small scattered fish, nothing big, occasional interesting corals, most reef areas dull and lifeless.

Better than a great day at work but hardly "stunning".

Next time, bring a strong light.
Colors drop out as the depth filters the sunlight.
Look at how the color comes out as the light illuminates the area in this video:

From dull to colorful when you add light

 

[lionfish-eater]