Your Opinion.. The TOP 5 dive spots to visit in Cozumel

[>--Zen-Archer-->]

Sorry for the confusion... I have more dives than 15.. I actally have about 60 including Night, Deep in Ocean/Lake enviroments. Unfortunately, I did not update my profile prior to the transition. My fault... I would still like your opinion based upon your exeprience and I will try to pick the ones that meet my skill level.. Thanks for your good input so far!

 

[>--Zen-Archer-->]

To answer your question Hemlon, That picture was taken at Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma. I was in about 45 Feet of water..... I took a look at my logs for the dives I have made so far and I am averaging between 40 to 60 ft. I have about 60 dives under my belt with the deepest made and the deepest has been about 100ft.. Which actually occured during that dive at Lake Tenkiller. I am currently hold a AOW c-card. Still learning and hope to gain more experience during my dives in Cozumel.. Thinking about taking my Rescue class towards the end of the year...

 

[divingjd]

1. Plancar Caves
2. Coumbia Shallows
3. Santa Rosa Wall
4. Paradise at night
5. Palancar Bricks

My assessment is based primarily on pre-Wilma dives. I understand Paradise and Chankanaab took heavy damage and may no longer warrant this rating. I dove Palancar Caves in January and it is just as good as ever.

 

[cxg31s]

Sorry for the confusion... I have more dives than 15.. I actally have about 60 including Night, Deep in Ocean/Lake enviroments. Unfortunately, I did not update my profile prior to the transition. My fault... I would still like your opinion based upon your exeprience and I will try to pick the ones that meet my skill level.. Thanks for your good input so far!

LOL Well that does make a bit of a difference! Of course, it will also depend on your wife's skill level as well. BTW, congrats on your anniversary!

And boy, that is some green water--I don't think I'll be rushing to dive Tenkiller. LOL

Okay so assuming your wife has about the same skill level as you do, my revised Top 5 for you (in order this time):

1. Chun Chacab
2. Palancar Horseshoe
3. Dalila
4. Palancar Bricks ties with Columbia
5. Punta Sur Cathedral

That will give you a good variety of UW topography and critter life and all are appropriate for your experience level. As I said before, you'll enjoy just about anywhere you go. Also, keep in mind that the DM and the rest of the people on the boat will also get a vote on where you dive. You'll have a great time!

 

[TheRedHead]

1) Columbia Deep with swimthroughs
2) The 140 foot swimthrough near Devil's Throat, Punta Sur North
3) Palancar Caves
4) Baracuda (much destruction, but the ride is divine)
5) Maracabo

I must add that a newb shouldn't do any of the above sites except Palancar Caves (speed reading again).

I would recommend Columbia Bricks, Palancar Gardens, Horsehoe and Cedral for a newer diver. The current though Tunich can rip at times, but it is another favorite.

 

[ggunn]

To take the other side....

Dives that I would not bother with yet, especially if my time were limited...

Las Palmas
Yucab

 

[cxg31s]

My assessment is based primarily on pre-Wilma dives. I understand Paradise and Chankanaab took heavy damage and may no longer warrant this rating. I dove Palancar Caves in January and it is just as good as ever.

I went last year right after Emily and have been twice since Wilma. I won't dispute the fact that there was reef damage on Paradise and Chankanaab. But even pre-hurricane, those 2 sites have always been known more for their critter life than their reef structure. The hurricanes didn't change that fact--I saw more critters on those 2 sites than a lot of the more "in-demand" sites. It depends on what you're looking for in a diving experience, I guess.....

 

[cowboyneal]

...what, is scubadiving.com still down? lol...

 

[halocline]

Jeesh, the guy asked for favorite dive sites and got several responses of "you're not ready...." thank you, mommy!

My recommendation, particularly since Wilma, would be to stay in the Colombia/Palancar areas as much as possible. There are lots of great sites in those areas; just to the north are Dalila and La Francesa which are terrific too. I'm personally not so much of a Punta Sur fan, but if you're dying to do a big swim-through that's often crowded, go for it. I've never been to Maricaibo, I'm embarrassed to say; heard many great things but it is a considerably deeper dive and of course this affects your bottom time, so you'll have to make that decision.

 

[cxg31s]

...what, is scubadiving.com still down? lol...

:lol:

And come on Mattboy, his profile showed 0-15 dives--we didn't know until he explained that he actually has more dives than that. That information DOES affect the sites that I would personally recommend. I would never recommend Maracaibo or Barracuda to a newbie, would you? And a responsible dive shop wouldn't take a new diver to those sites. You can't argue the fact that some of the sites do require more experience, so chill out.