Comments on: Cozumel Reef Conditions Update – 2007

By: Calvin

Calvin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:15:13 +0000

I would check out scbuaboard.com for latest updates on the condition of the reef there. Just so you know though, Coz is all about diving – not much beach/town to be had there, compared to other destinations in Mexico.

By: Evette

Evette — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:40:17 +0000

Hi there,
Trying to find a spot to go dive and hang out. Cozumel was recommended by some friends, but was worried about the hurricane damage. What are your thoughts? Yes, it will be our first trip out after getting certified. Planning to go in late June.

Thx,
E

By: Calvin

Calvin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:06:51 +0000

I would dive with Deep Blue (link above). Ask for Debbie or Kevin there and tell them that I recommended them to you. Yes, an inexperienced diver has plenty of options in Cozumel. There are two types of dives there, “platform” and “wall” dives. Platform means that there is a bottom, typically at 40-60 feet (great for an open water diver). There are currents but the divemaster is always with you and the boat follows your bubbles, while you are carried along for the ride. It’s a very pleasant way to dive and it’s a bit like sitting back and watching television. Enjoy your trip to Coz and let us know how the trip went when you get back

By: alice

alice — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:57:08 +0000

I am planning my first trip to Cozumel in this May. I am an inexperienced diver. I heard current @ Cozumel is very strong and they do drift dive. Would it be safe for inexperienced diver? Can you please recommend dive operator? thanks.

By: Calvin

Calvin — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:19:17 +0000

T. Carter – Thanks so much for the trip report!

Rich – My favorite dive sites there are (in no particular order): the Palancars, Tormentos, Punta Sur, Santa Rosa, Columbia and Maracaibo (advanced dive).

Though, the dive sites may have changed somewhat since I was there, since there have been hurricanes, etc. that have shifted the sand. Your best bet will be to talk to people on the ground there and also to take a look at the Cozumel Dive Guide.

Have a great trip, you’ll love the diving there.

Calvin

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:33:32 +0000

Hey,

This is a great website/blog. Very informative.

I am planning my first dive trip to Cozumel with my best friend. We’re both amateur divers and are looking for the “must dives” at Cozumel. What is your recommendation?

By: T. Carter

T. Carter — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:38:19 +0000

Just returned from Cozumel (my first warm water dive trip), so I’ll post a quick report. We stayed at Hotel Barracuda, on the waterfront, within reasonable walking distance of both downtown and the Chedraui supermarket (good for stocking up on drinking water). The hotel was fine for a dive trip, clean, and with a nice ocean view balcony for watching the sunset or hanging wetsuits. My only complaint was the bed, it was very hard.

Our dive op was Dive Paradise, and I would use them again. Good DM’s, especially Jorge – entertaining guy on the surface, and great at pointing out small life I would have swum right by during the dive. And he blows a mean bubble ring. They put us on their big (slower) boats, but that’s what we paid for, so no complaints. The ops seemed more willing to make the long runs to the far south sites with small (faster) boats, but even the big boats we were on made a couple runs almost all the way south. And the closer sites are great anyway.

Hurricane damage, well some folks said the deeper reefs were less damaged than the shallow ones, others said no difference, but to my eyes they all looked amazing. The quantity, variety and color of life was stunning. And the visibility was like nothing I’ve seen…floating on the surface, watching stingrays cruise along the bottom 80 feet below, was like looking through air.

My favorite dives were Palancar Caves and Colombia Deep for the swim-throughs and bottom structure, and Paradise Reef and Paso del Cedral for the life. And it was fun swimming with the tourist submarine at Chankanaab Bolones.

I had great food at Casa Denis in the main square, and (a bit further away from the waterfront) at El Foco on Av. 5 Sur (excellent fajitas and lime soup).

Can’t wait to go back.