Which dive operator has the latest morning dive time??

[GR8FUL]

I haven't been to Cozumel in 15 years, and like most other newbies I've spent a fair amount of time trying to decide where to stay and who to dive with.

And while quality and price are both factors in my decision, the last thing I want is to be forced to wake up at 6:30AM in order to have enough time to eat a rushed breakfast and meet at the dock by 7:30AM. I'm on vacation--#%@* that!

While I understand the desire to avoid the crowds by getting out to the dive spots first, couldn't a dive operator accomplish the same goal by getting their clients out to the dive spots an hour after everyone else?!? Is there a fault / downside to this idea that I'm not taking into consideration?

Either way, can anyone tell me which dive operators have the latest start times in the morning?

 

[mediumone]

I haven't been to Cozumel in 15 years, and like most other newbies I've spent a fair amount of time trying to decide where to stay and who to dive with.

And while quality and price are both factors in my decision, the last thing I want is to be forced to wake up at 6:30AM in order to have enough time to eat a rushed breakfast and meet at the dock by 7:30AM. I'm on vacation--#%@* that!

While I understand the desire to avoid the crowds by getting out to the dive spots first, couldn't a dive operator accomplish the same goal by getting their clients out to the dive spots an hour after everyone else?!? Is there a fault / downside to this idea that I'm not taking into consideration?

Either way, can anyone tell me which dive operators have the latest start times in the morning?

Precisely why the missus and I ALWAYS dive in the afternoon. The reefs are all but deserted. We leave the shop at around 1:00 pm, giving us time for coffee, breakfast, and a swim in the pool before heading to the shop. That's vacation to us. I have a list of shops offering afternoon dives. PM me if you'd like the list.

 

[gopbroek]

Twilight dives usually depart at around 4PM. I wish we could go earlier in morning. A sunrise trip where you drop in the half light of morning would be great.

 

[ReefHound]

Some possible downsides are the later departures may be more likely to have cruise ship divers and other inexperienced or less serious divers. Afternoon trips may not have enough to make. Fish are laziest at mid-day, most active in early morning or late evening.

Upsides are there won't be as many divers on the reefs. And you get first crack at all the gopros lost by the first morning wave.

 

[Vic K]

@GR8FUL I believe blue angel fits what you are looking for. They have departures which would leaving earlier and later. Not sure but dive with martin might have something later too. I understand completely sleeping in, but I am hooked to the way 3P runs their operation and getting up early is only slight inconvenience. It still gives time for Lunch, nap and enjoying sunset and evening in Town. Hope you have a great time in COZ

 

[GR8FUL]

Mediumone: Thx 4 the offer! I "think" I sent you a PM, but if you didn't get it please either let me know here on this thread or send me a PM.

gopbroek: Agreed--I LOVE night dives & 2 tank "twilight" dives as well. In theory a 2 tank "Sunrise" dive is a great idea, but in reality...not so much. Tough waking up at 4 or 5AM after a big dinner followed by multiple margaritas & tequila shots the night before!

ReefHound: Thx so much for bringing up the downsides to this idea--I was wondering about cruise ship divers--but less reef life / activity didn't occur to me. LOL re lost gopros!

 

[nodakdive]

Deep Blue leaves at 9am. They pickup downtown and anywhere south. They get to Casa del Mar between 9:10 and 9:30. They group divers by skill level. I feel the same way about leaving early. In addition, in hundreds of dives with them, I've run into other dive groups only a handful of times. I've done a week of diving with 2 other shops who depart with the thongs of other dive shops. In both cases, we ran into other dive groups almost every dive. I have video from one of those dives where there are about 30 divers (including the 6 of us) in one spot.

Though I get up with the sun, I like the relaxed pace. I watch other divers rushing to get on an 8am boat, and it's not for me.

 

[Hatul]

Yes, Blue Angel has boats leaving at 8am, 9am, 10am and 11am. I’ve been told to avoid the 11 am boat as it caters to cruise ship crowd, but the 9 and 10 am boat should fit your bill.