Where to Go for Short Boat ride/ First Timer Newbie

[Canard]

In general you'll find that traveling from Canada the price of "air only" and "all-inclusive" are very, very close making the AI resort option the most economical. I always wait to book 2-3 weeks before my departure date and take the best deal, usually under $1,000 CDN. Because the diving is primarily on the west side of the island, which is the lee side rough seas are not an issue. As others have suggested there are a number of AIs towards the south of the island that are just minutes to the dive sites however a fast boat out of San Miguel will see you there pretty quickly too. Don't think you can go wrong. If budget is an issue then just book late and grab your best deal.

 

[MMM]

I used to get sea-sick and found that modifying my pre-dive diet helped immensely. I eliminated coffee or anything greasy like fried eggs, fried potatoes, toast and butter etc. Stuck to fruit juice, water, cottage cheese, croissants, fresh fruit etc. Seemed easier to keep stuff like that down...

Then I was ready for a big lunch at the end of the dives.

 

[firechuk]

volks_r_us,
If you are looking to do it on a budget, try the Hotel Cozumel Resort and hotel. It has all inclusive packages and is connected with Dive Paradise. Your lodging, food and drink, and diving can all be included and usually at a good price. We use Bay Adventures (in Miami) (Caribbean Dive Island Vacations at Bay Adventures) as our travel agent and have never had a glitch in 9 trips. Granted, Dive Paradise uses some slower boats with generally larger numbers of divers than you are looking for (no more than 16 usually), they also have 6-packs for an additional fee. There are other dive ops who pick up at the hotel pier. We have always had outstanding service and DM's from Dive Paradise. The slower boats give you a chance to get your equipment together and do a bit of socializing before and between dives. The hotel is one mile from downtown, and even on the tail of a hurricane, we have never had a bad stay there. Food seems to be something that each individual evaluates differently, but I have always found it to be good, if somewhat predictable. The staff is friendly, the facility clean and management eager to please the guests.

For someone traveling to Cozumel on a budget the first time, it may not be a bad place to start. Also try Tony Rome's while you are there. Great restarant, Tony's a real friend when you need one - knows who to call for whatever the situation - and a great entertainer! Don't let the cabbies tell you he isn't there...he's across the street from the French Quarter.

I hope this helps, and regardless of who you stay or dive with...don't be surprised if you fall in love with Cozumel! We did in about 1 day!

 

[dtwel]

Well i have a problem shore diving and getting sick so i use {Bonine} or the Chem name is Meclizine Hydrochloride and can be gotten at any drug store. It always works for me!
I recommend the Iberostar for the shortest boat ride. Average ride about 10 minutes. And as far as the resort it has everything you need for a great week. We go there every year and love it as an all inclusive! The cab ride to town is $17.00 each way, but alot of the time you can share a cab with some one going to town.
Dressel Divers is the dive shop. I recommend Debra or Fernando!!! They are 2 really good dive masters
If you want pics of the resort from this year email me. dtwel_99@yahoo.com
Have a Great Time!
Doug

 

[volks_r_us]

Ill probably head on to Iberostar, I already got a few prices from different website, Around 1500-1600 for 7 nights including flight from Montreal.
Im thinking maybe I should wait 2-3 week before for booking not sure if Ill really save $$$

What about cars rental is it a good ideal to drive around the island ,do some little exploration stuff like that.

 

[1KWIK_69]

It's definitely worth renting a car. The east side of the island is something you don't want to miss and getting back and forth from Iberostar to town would be really expensive by cab if you go a lot.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[bostondancer]

I am a relatively new diver (30 dives) and I would recommend Dive Palancar at the Occidental. I don't know who the dive op is at Iberostar so can't comment on them. DP should be able to pick you up from Iberostar as they are relatively close.

I consider myself a high maintenance diver. I change weight every year gaining or losing between 10-20lbs which means different wetsuits, different weights, slow descents, sometimes running out of air early, etc. Through it all the DMs at Dive Palancar were great. In fact at one point I had my camera (cheapo one that I bought at the dive shop) float up to the surface. I thought it was gone but the DM went up and 5 mins later came back with it. Not a minute later a turtle swam up next to me and he clicked a shot. It is one of the most valuable pictures I have today. That's what I call service. The people at the shop and the boat crew were great as well. They helped carry my gear on and off the boat.

I am going back in April and staying at the Fiesta Americana but will use DP for my dives. It is considered good practice to tip the DM (who shares it with the crew) about $5 per dive. DP dives are $32 per dive or $300 for 10 dives I believe.

As far as sea sickness, it is definitely not in my head. I get very sick on boats and once threw up under water through the regulator (not pretty). Anyway, that was before I discovered non-drowsy dramamine. I will check out the patch mentioned in this thread. I take the non-drowsy dramamine 1 hour before leaving and I'm good for the two-tank dive. DP returns to the beach for the surface interval so you can wait on shore instead of on the boat.

The water temps are in the mid-high 70s in March-April. If you or your gf are non-standard sizes, you may want to bring wetsuits. I am a curvy size 14 and had a very hard time finding a rental suit. Now I have my own suit and it makes a huge difference in how warm I am during dives.

Bring a lock for the lockers if you use DP. You can store your gear in the lockers next to the dive shop so you don't have to lug it back and forth from your room.

Have a great trip!

 

[loudives]

If you rent a car:
1. Mark down every nick, scratch, dent, crack, broken?. There is a scam if they see you don't notice something and write it down --- you pay for it -- they will say you did it.

2. Get the insurance!!!!! Check with your Canadian carrier. US companies do not cover you in Mexico. If you get into an accident you must settle up $$$$ before you leave the Island!!!!!

Check Christi web site or search this forum. Christi posted a checklist about this.

 

[stevenschwartz]

Boy do I feel your pain. Wife can go through 6 ft seas no problem, I ...
I have found the scopalomine pills to be better than the patch. Dosage is slightly lower, but available when you need it. I find the patch makes me "stoned" and causes my eyes not to be able to focus after a while. The pills have no such bad side effects, and have never gotten sick on them.

Good luck - this is a sign of how much we love to dive.

 

[volks_r_us]

Done Deal ! We will be there from 4/9 to 4/16 at the Iberostar
Now I only need to decide who ill be diving with.
Im looking for a very personalise Dive op. I don't want to end up at 100 feet on our first dive, neither running after the dive master UW.
I know cozumel dives can be deep and most dive up don't give a %^$%@ about certification level. I just don't want my Girlfriend to freak out when she see that she much Deeper then 60ft.

No more then 8 divers per boat 6 is better. which dive up can pick me up on iberostar dock or very close from there ?

It's will only be our second time in salt water, I like to do it right :14: