What happened to Cozumel?

[jonhall]

Sorry, I have only read up to page 10 where things started getting entertaining, but had a few things to share:

Most shops are now charging atleast $100 plus marine park fees for 2 tank dives. Blue Angel is near $120 plus taxes.

Just did a quick scan of my spreadsheet: Cozumel Dive Ops
*Edited to put the link in as opposed to the spreadsheet!!
Looks like most of those ops are (as of the end of January for most) $90 -120.

The bigger issue was the boat not having a gas analyzer.

On my recent January trip, I used nitrox for the first time, although I've had the certification since 2017. It was free as I was staying at Villa Aldora. In 2021, I dove with 3 different ops while in Coz where some divers used nitrox. Never saw anyone analyze tanks - not saying it shouldn't be done, but not analyzing tanks on the boat seemed to be the norm for recreational dives.

 

[Nemrod]

Sorry, I have only read up to page 10 where things started getting entertaining, but had a few things to share:


Just did a quick scan of my spreadsheet:
Looks like most of those ops are (as of the end of January for most) $90 -120.

On my recent January trip, I used nitrox for the first time, although I've had the certification since 2017. It was free as I was staying at Villa Aldora. In 2021, I dove with 3 different ops while in Coz where some divers used nitrox. Never saw anyone analyze tanks - not saying it shouldn't be done, but not analyzing tanks on the boat seemed to be the norm for recreational dives.

Some of the resorts in Cozumel are getting their fills from a central facility. A few, like the now gone Scuba Club did their own blending. To me, it is breaking a safety rule to not check the mix. I may just have to finally purchase my own analyzer.

 

[Charred]

This situation is out of character from the Aldora I know. They bend over backwards for you. I'm diving with them in May. But I should add, I am a competent diver, show up with working gear, don't create drama. If I showed up with broken gear and not dove in over a decade, I would expect a slightly different experience. If you show up as a GUE diver and wanting special treatment, well, that's just not going to end like you think on any number of operations on Cozumel.

Lastly, I was told the DM checks the O2 level as they load the boat and setup your gear. Remember this is a boutique operation that takes care of your gear. I understand the desire to check the O2 levels yourself because that is your training, but as long as they are checked I am fine.

 

[brsnow]

Back when I was a new diver and the ink was still wet on my OW cert card, I was diving Cozumel with a very small but highly recommended dive op. The owner/DM asked me where I wanted to go one day, and I said, "How about Maracaibo?" not because I knew anything about the reef but because it was one I knew the name of. When he stopped laughing he just said, "No, señor, not yet."

I dove Maracaibo on first trip to Cozumel. I was comfortable and trust my dive buddy as well.

 

[brsnow]

If you make arrangements to dive with an op and when the time comes they don’t keep their end of the agreement move on. Lots of good ops, old school local is best.